With our Developmental Disabilities License, you’ll become adept at implementing and adapting evidence-based instruction methods that will meet the needs of your students with developmental cognitive disabilities and help them succeed. If you're not already a licensed teacher, you will have to complete the Standards of Effective Practice concentration, which meets the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice, a requirement for every Tier 3 and Tier 4 K-12 licensed teacher in Minnesota.

Total Credits

37

Finish in as Few as

18-28 months

Courses

• Instructional Strategies for Students with Mild-Moderate Disabilities (SPED618)

  Interpretation of student performance data, employing differentiation strategies for diverse needs, and applying evidence-based instructional practices for students with mild-moderate disabilities. Creation of positive learning environments and exploration of the connection between faith concepts and K-12 special education. Development of skills for resource search and citation, distinguishing between research-based, non-research-based, and scholarly sources. Development of skills to find, review, and summarize scholarly articles and adhere to APA style while linking academic research to evidence-based practices.

  4 credits

• Classroom-based Assessment and Field Experience (SPED655)

  Description of legal, professional, and ethical standards in assessment related to informal assessment measures and environmental factors influencing student achievement and behavior. Description of student’s learning style, strengths, and analysis of behavior based on observations and assessment data. Identification of the influence diversity, age and gender have on assessment.

  4 credits

• Consultation, Collaboration & Resources (SPED675)

  Identification of collaborative partners and structures needed to provide effective special education services to students and their families. Inclusion of community, interagency, educational organizations, and other professional services while considering family background, socioeconomic status, cultural and linguistic diversity. Evaluation of current research and its relevance to planning and implementing emerging special education practices.

  2 credits

• SPED Practicum for Teachers of Other Licenses (SPED782)

  Implementation of procedures necessary to incorporate referral, assessment, evaluation, IEPs, and interventions for students with disabilities in a specific license area. Management of timelines and responsibilities including consultation with parents, school and community professionals. Development of strategies for efficacy and engaging resources. Analysis of personal and professional growth as a special educator (80 required hours in a special education school setting). FE: Practicum fee: $150, out-of-region fee: $100, out-of-state fee: varies.

  3 credits

• DD: Student Teaching (SPED784)

  Evaluative procedures used in identifying and understanding students with mild-moderate-severe Developmental Cognitive Disabilities. Collaborative analysis of assessment results and creation of IEPs in a K-12 setting. Design and implementation of appropriate interventions. Analysis of personal and spiritual growth related to the role of a special education professional. 12 weeks supervised teaching experience. FE: DD student teaching fee: $150, out-of-region fee: $100, out-of-state fee: varies.

  4 credits