Special Education (K-12)

Owned by Laura Lehman (Deactivated)
Last updated: Apr 15, 2020 by Barbara Byer (Deactivated)
2 min read

Cathy Smeltzer Erb, advisor

For students enrolled in Special Education licensure prior to 2018-19.

Licensure for special education in grade levels K-12 includes successful completion of general education requirements, a liberal arts major and supporting special education courses. Candidates work closely with their advisors to determine specialty emphases as outlined by the Virginia Department of Education. Special education licensure candidates must fulfill requirements for an academic major outside the department and meet general program requirements. Special education program candidates may receive an endorsement in early/primary or elementary education by extending their program into the fifth year.

Professional Sequence for Special Education

  • ED 101 Exploring Teaching - 2 
  • ED 275 Instructional Technology and Assessment - 3 
  • EDS 301 Introduction to Exceptionalities - 3 
  • EDS 331 Individual Instruction in the Content Areas for Students with Exceptionalities - 3 
  • EDS 332 Adapting Curriculum for Students with Exceptionalities - 4 
  • EDS 333 Medical Issues and Assistive Technology for Individuals with Exceptional Learning Needs - 1 
  • *EDS 351 Intervention Strategies for Middle and High School Learners with Exceptionalities - 3 
  • *EDS 371 Evaluation and Planning in Special Education - 3 
  • EDS 381 Special Education Professional Field Experience - 2 
  •  *EDS 401 Supporting Positive Classroom Behavior - 2 
  • *EDS 455 Foundations of Education and Special Education - 3 
  • ED 341 Language Arts - 2 
  • ED 342 Reading/Diagnostic Reading - 3 
  • ED 343 Content Area Reading and Writing - 2 
  • ED 411 Reflective Teaching Seminar and Portfolio - 1 
  • EDS 461 Student Teaching: Elementary Exceptionalities - 7 
  • EDS 462 Student Teaching: Middle School/High School Exceptionalities - 7 

Twenty-four semester hours of the above are devoted to professional studies; 24 semester hours involve practica.

Additional licensure requirements are as follows:

  • BIOL 155 Biological Explorations - 3 
    CHEM 155 Matter and Energy - 3 
  • ENGL 350 Literature for Children  OR *ENGL 355 Adolescent/Young Adult Literature - 3 
  • ENVS 135 Earth Science - 2 
  • HE 202 Health and Safety - 2 
  • HIST 101 United States History I: Race and Reason - 2 
  • HIST 102 United States History II: Mechanization and Modernization - 2 
  • HIST 103 United States History III: Power and Paradox - 2 
  • HIST 121 Global Past I: Civilization (to 1400) OR HIST 122 Global Past II: Modernization (1350-1800) - 2 
  • MATH 120 Mathematics for Social Decision Making - 2 
  • MATH 134 Finite Math: Logic and Problem Solving - 2 
  • MATH 136 Finite Math: Number Theory and Probability - 2 
  • STAT 120 Descriptive Statistics - 2 
  • PSYC 202 Developmental Psychology - 3 
  • PSYC 231 Applied Behavior Analysis - 3 
  • SOC 330 The Family in Social Context - 3 

A minor in a content area is recommended.