Program Overview
The department offers the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) degree with a major in Elementary Education K-6, the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) degree with a major in Special Education K-12 and the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) in Elementary Education K-6 and Special Education Dual Licensure. A general description and course requirements of the Elementary Education K-6 major are outlined in section 3.1 while section 3.2 provides the same information on the Special Education K-12 major, and section 3.3 articulates the program details for the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) degree in Elementary Education K-6 with Special Education licensure.
The department offers the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) degree with a major in Special Education K-12. The performance based undergraduate program in special education is designed to prepare candidates for positions as special education teachers in grades K-12. The program recognizes the changing and complex role of the special educator and as such prepares the candidates to (1) provide support and instruction to students with cognitive, physical, behavior, multiple, and/or health disabilities from kindergarten through 12th grade; (2) work in different educational settings such as self-contained, resource, and regular classrooms; (3) access the general education curriculum demonstrating a strong knowledge and skill set in academic content areas for instructing students with disabilities; (4) effectively collaborate and work closely with general education teachers, related service personnel, administrators, and families to ensure all students are given every opportunity to reach their full potential; (5) understand language acquisition, cultural influences on learning, emotional and social development, exceptionalities, diverse student populations, inclusion and equity in classrooms and schools; (6) understand and apply knowledge related to the social, historical, and philosophical foundations of special education; (7) integrate technology into instruction and learning; (8) use research and developmentally appropriate practices in their teaching; and (9) know the roles and responsibilities of the profession of teaching.
The degree requires the successful completion of 122 hours including: (1) UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated Elementary and Special Education courses. HIST 2301 or 2302, MATH 1390, PHYS 1400 and PSCI 1330 should be selected within the lower-division core because these courses fulfill both UCA Core requirements and program requirements; (2) professional education courses; (3) academic content courses; (4) and related requirements.
Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Special Education K-12 enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.
Program Outline
Professional Education (68 semester hours):
- EDUC 1300 Education as a Profession
- ELSE 3301 Development and Learning Theories
- ELSE 3308 Foundations of Diverse Learners
- ELSE 3390 Integrated Curriculum and Assessment Planning
- ELSE 4301 Math and Science for Diverse Learners
- ELSE 4302 Behavior Guidance for the Diverse Classroom
- ELSE 4303 Current Issues and Trends in Special Education
- ELSE 4305 Literacy Assessment and Intervention
- ELSE 4306 Educational Programming for Middle and Secondary Learners with Mild Disabilities
- ELSE 4307 Instructional Programming for Diverse Learners [UD UCA Core: D, R]
- ELSE 4308 Educational Programming for Students with Significant Disabilities
- ELSE 4309 Positive Classroom Environment
- ELSE 4310 Junior Block Practicum
- ELSE 4311 Foundations of Reading
- ELSE 4315 Workshop Approach to Teaching Writing in the K-12 Classroom [UD UCA Core: C]
- ELSE 4320 Elementary Reading Methods
- ELSE 4324 Special Education Practicum – Elementary
- ELSE 4325 Special Education Practicum – Secondary
- ELSE 4331 Data-Driven Instructional Planning [UD UCA Core: I]
- ELSE 4T90 Internship II [UD UCA Core: Z]
- EDUC 4210 Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning
- EDUC 1300 must be completed prior to admission to the teacher education program.
Academic Core Requirements (16 semester hours):
- MATH 3352 Number Systems: Reals
- MATH 3364 Concepts of Geometry and Measurement
- ELSE 4322 Promoting Content Area Literacy for Adolescents with Disabilities [UD UCA Core: C]
- SCI 4410 Concepts of Science
In addition, MATH 1360 or MATH 1390 and PHYS 1400 must be taken if not completed as part of the lower-division UCA Core (general education) requirement.
Delivery of courses
With the exception of the lower-division UCA Core, EDUC 1300, ELSE 3301, ELSE 3305, ELSE 3308, ELSE 3390, MATH 3351, MATH 3352, MATH 4310, SCI 3410, SCI 4410, HIST 3310, and educational technology prerequisite, all requirements must be completed after admission to the teacher education program (no later than second semester sophomore year). Several courses are scheduled to form blocks, and these courses must be taken simultaneously. All other courses must be taken prior to entry into Junior Block.
Junior Block: ELSE 4307, 4309, 4310, 4311, and 4315 must be taken during the same semester, with field experiences. All Junior Block courses and requirements must be successfully completed before entering Internship IA or Internship IB.
Internship IA: ELSE 4303, 4306, 4308, 4325, and ELSE 4322 (15 hrs.) must be taken during the same semester. Internship IA may be completed before or after Internship IB. If going into Internship II following Internship IA, please see the entry requirements for Internship II below.
Internship IB: ELSE 4301, 4302, 4305, 4320, 4324, and 4331 must be taken during the same semester. Internship IB may be completed before or after Internship IA. If going into Internship II following Internship IB, please see the entry requirements for Internship II below.
Internship II: ELSE 4T90, with daily field experiences. Students must successfully complete all program courses (i.e., General Education, Professional Education, Academic Content, Internship I courses and requirements, and related courses) and earn score(s) on relevant Praxis subject-area assessment(s) to meet or exceed the state’s minimum requirements to be eligible for a license upon graduation before enrolling in Internship II.
Minor in Special Education
This minor in Special Education is designed to build a basic knowledge and understanding of disabilities by introducing students to (1) types of disabilities/conditions, (2) current laws and trends guiding community and educational services to individuals with disabilities, and (3) educational and behavioral strategies for working effectively with individuals with disabilities. The minor program is designed for non-education majors and does not lead to Arkansas teacher licensure in special education. The minor in Special Education includes the following 18 hours of upper division special education courses. Course substitutions are not allowable.
- ELSE 3301 Development and Learning Theories
- ELSE 3308 Foundations of Diverse Learners
- ELSE 4302 Behavior Guidance for the Diverse Classroom
- ELSE 4303 Current Issues and Trends in Special Education
- ELSE 4306 Educational Programming for Middle and Secondary Learners with Mild Disabilities
- ELSE 4308 Educational Programming for Students with Significant Disabilities
