Become a certified special education teacher by completing just five courses. These courses include two core courses (SPED 6340 & SPED 6320), one elective course (see options below), and two practicum courses (completed in your school setting).
Practicum Courses (6 credits)
- *SPED 6941 | Semester long practicum (3 credits)
- *SPED 6942 | Semester long practicum (3 credits)
- These two practicum courses include hours earned in your district under qualified supervision, in addition to online content. These practicums provide students with school-based field experiences relevant to the needs of K-12 students with disabilities. Students act as observers and participants by planning for and teaching students with disabilities in K-12 settings and participating in meetings involving decision-making processes for students with disabilities, writing a behavior plan, IEP, and assessment report; working with families, completing a standardized assessment, supervising paraprofessionals, and demonstrating familiarity with special education processes and procedures.
Special Education Law
- SPED 6340 | SPED Law and Leadership (3 credits)
- This course provides a review of the most significant federal and state laws governing the education of students with disabilities; and applicable standards of professional ethics. Emphasis is also placed on understanding administrative regulations and policies as well as case law related to the provision of special education supports and services. Students will examine rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities as well as principles for effective advocacy.
Special Education Assessment
- SPED 6320 | Assess in SPED (3 credits)
- This course is designed to prepare teachers to administer, score, and interpret standardized educational instruments; use standardized assessments to make eligibility, placement, and program decisions for students with disabilities; and develop and use formative educational and adaptive behavioral assessments to make data-based instructional decisions. Students will be expected to generate an assessment report based on assessment results.
Special Education-Related Courses (Choose one of the following)
- SPED 6310 | Collaboration With Families & Professionals (3 credits)
- This course presents models for collaborating with families, paraprofessionals, related service providers, and other professionals to support individuals with disabilities across the life span. Emphasis is on family systems, teaming and consultation. Includes focus on the collaborative creation of safe, inclusive, culturally-responsive learning environments and making team- and assessment-based decisions for engaging individuals with exceptionalities in meaningful learning activities and social interactions.
- SPED 6350 | Classroom & Behavior Management (3 credits)
- This course on classroom and behavior management is based on the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis. Emphasis is on the impact of language delays and disabilities on behavior, as well as implementing and evaluating proactive strategies that promote learning and pro-social behavior and reduce challenging behavior.
- SPED 6330 | Methods for Working With Students With Disabilities (3 credits)
- This course focuses on effective teaching for students with or at risk for disabilities in general education settings, spanning grades K-12. Emphasis is placed on research-based instructional methods for effective instruction of math, reading, and other academic content areas; as well as methods for effective behavioral supports and interventions. Integration of national, state, and local curricula standards will also be addressed.
* Required courses
Approved by the SD Department of Education:
These courses meet SD DOE requirements for K-12 SPED alternative certification.
Endorsement as indicated in ARSD 24:28:18:05.