Special Education (K-12) (BA)
Lindenwood University
Key Information
Campus location
Saint Charles, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 9,550 / per semester *
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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* block rate for traditional, full-time tuition
Scholarships
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Introduction
The B.A. in special education, a mild to moderate cross-categorical certification, will qualify you to teach K-12 students with special needs in co-teaching classrooms, resource support settings, and self-contained classrooms.
In today’s schools, the special education teacher is considered a school leader and expert in instructional design and teaching so that all children can learn. At Lindenwood University, graduates of our special education program have earned distinctions of Outstanding Teacher of the Year in their school districts and Dabney Scholar from the Missouri Council for Exceptional Children.
Lindenwood University offers you several options for special education certification (mild/moderate cross categorical) in the state of Missouri. You can major in special education and receive a B.A. degree, completing all of your student teaching experience in special education classrooms.
If you already have an undergraduate degree in any field, you may choose Special Education for your Master of Arts in Teaching program to become certified in to teach in mild to moderate special education classrooms. If you are a practicing teacher, the M.A. in Education with an emphasis in Special Education will lead to an add-on certificate in mild/moderate cross-categorical special education.
The Special Education program design at Lindenwood reflects the philosophy of IDEA (Individual Disability Education Act) with an emphasis on educating the “whole” child through inclusive practices and effective collaboration. Additionally, program evaluation and assessment is based on the subject-specific competencies for Special Education set forth by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the professional standards published by the National Council for Exceptional Children.
Through the years, the Lindenwood University College of Education and Human Services has continued to integrate the core education goals with the special education program. The program is designed to prepare both “regular” education teachers and “special” education teachers to work collaboratively to design and implement effective educational programs for all students. This requirement provides teachers seeking to add-on certification in special education a comprehensive understanding of the student’s entire educational delivery system.
If you are a currently certified teacher, you are encouraged to contact DESE and request a transcript evaluation in the area of special education K-12. DESE will then identify the remaining required courses. This information will then be used for your program planning.
Lindenwood University Education Faculty
The education faculty at Lindenwood University have many years of professional experience in the classroom, both as teachers and as teacher educators. Their knowledge and experience is a resource unto itself, and is beneficial to Lindenwood education students. They are readily accessible and always available to answer your questions.
Career Opportunities
27% Higher Income | 93% Success Rate |
Our graduates have a 27% higher income than the national median 10 years after enrolling. Source: US Department of Education's College Scorecard/ Department of Treasury 2018. | Investing in a Lindenwood education sets you up for success. 93% of Lindenwood graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate programs within 6 months of graduation. |
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Curriculum
Clinical experiences within the Special Education program are required. If you currently hold Missouri teacher certification, you will receive your clinical experience through practicum requirements.
You will study subjects and areas of education and special education including behavior management, diagnosis of reading difficulties, remediation in elementary math, and many more subjects relevant to your success as a special education teacher in the classroom.
Upon completion of all the required courses, you will need to take and pass the required Missouri General Education Assessment to be considered a “highly qualified” teacher in the state of Missouri.
74 credit hours
Students will need to complete the coursework and pass the Missouri Content Assessment for SPED K-12 Mild and Moderate Cross-Categorical in order to be eligible for student teaching and a recommendation for certification.
Major Coursework
- EDS 30200 Behavior Management
- EDS 31610 Speech and Language Development, Acquisition, and Intervention
- EDS 33000 Introduction and Methods of Teaching Children with Disabilities in Cross-Categorical Settings
- EDS 33700 Special Education Counseling
- EDS 34000 Career Development
- EDS 35000 Practicum for Teaching Children with Disabilities in Cross-Categorical Settings
- EDS 35700 Remediation in Elementary Math
- EDU 11110 Orientation to Educational Experiences with Field Experiences
- EDU 20200 Psychology of Teaching and Learning
- EDU 21501 Teacher Education Seminar I
- EDU 24600 Children's Literature
- EDU 30500 Elementary Reading Methods
- EDU 30600 Elementary School Language Arts Methods
- EDU 30910 Instructional Strategies, Techniques and Analysis of Literacy with Practicum
- EDU 31310 Instructional Design in Math, Science and Social Studies
- EDU 32200 Elementary Classroom Teaching and Technology
- EDU 32400 Assessment of Intellectual Skills
- EDU 34100 Education of the Exceptional Child
- EDU 34410 Elementary School Differentiation and Classroom Management with Field Experiences
- EDU 40400 Advanced Measurement and Evaluation to Enhance Learning
- EDU 41000 Student Teaching
- ESOL 44000 TESOL Methods
Students must take EDS 35000 for 3 credit hours to fulfill the program requirements.