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2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.
Special Education Major K-12 Learning Disabilities Endorsement - Elementary
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 Return to: Undergraduate Majors/Minors
Correction Notice | On March 22, 2018, this major was edited to correct an error. SPGN 471 was removed from the “K-12 Special Education Core,” reducing the total hours required for the core to 23, and the total hours required for the major to 79.
New Program, effective Fall 2016
Learning disabilities are neurologically based disabilities causing persons to process information differently. Processing deficits may include deficits in input, central processing, and/or output and may involve various cognitive processes, such as memory, attention, language, visual and auditory perception, visual-motor integration and graphomotor skills. These processing deficits may impact a person’s ability to master various academic skills, including Basic reading skills, Reading fluency, Reading comprehension, Written expression, Math calculation, Math problem-solving skills, Oral expression, Listening comprehension
The Special Education Major (K-12) Learning Disabilities endorsement program is based on the belief that teachers with a learning disabilities endorsement need a firm grounding in the theory of learning disabilities and an ability to use that theory to develop individual programs for students, meeting their specific needs. This is accomplished by a curriculum requiring a rigorous understanding of the theory of learning, from a neurological perspective, coupled with strong field experiences connecting theory to reality. Emphasis will be on developing individual student profiles that involve assessment and analysis of both academic and processing skills, as well as developing a wide repertoire of strategies for direct instruction of skills and collaboration with general education personnel to develop accommodations and modifications.
Upon graduation, students will be competent to assess, analyze assessment data and develop and implement individual education programs, based on a strong theoretical understanding of the nature of learning disabilities.
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Department Information:
Special Education - College of Education
Initial Teacher Preparation Program Admission:
In order to pursue the sequence of courses necessary to complete eligibility for recommendation for certification, one must apply for and be admitted to the teacher preparation program. Admission requirements are common for all teacher preparation programs, except that certain special education programs have additional requirements.
Admission to the teacher preparation program is not automatic and is a two-phase process. Only those persons who have formally applied are considered for admission. Not all persons who apply become eligible for admission.
Teaching majors and minors are unofficial until program admission. Students pursuing teacher certification should follow the catalog that exists at the time of program admission. It is important that students apply to the teacher preparation program as soon as they have earned 56 credit hours.
Admission to Phase I of the Initial Teacher Preparation Program:
Students must meet all of the following requirements:
- Completion of 56 credit hours
- Appropriate cumulative GPA. One of:
- An overall EMU GPA of 2.5 or higher based on a minimum of 12 credit hours taken at EMU. An EMU GPA of 2.5 or higher in your major, based on at least one course in your major. The Elementary Education Major is comprehensive, therefore, the elementary major GPA is based on the cumulative of liberal arts curriculum and content course work.
- Transferred 56 credits with a cumulative 3.0 GPA from all previous institutions.
- A grade of “C” or higher in the following courses (if taken): WRTG 121 (or ENGL 121 ), CTAC 124 , MATH 108 , MATH 110E , PHY 100 , ESSC 202 , PSY 101 , and all of the professional education courses
- Official Test Scores showing competency in at least one of the following areas: mathematics, reading, and writing. Scores are accepted from the Professional Readiness Exam (PRE), Basic Skills Test (no longer offered), ACT, or Michigan Merit Exam (MME). The following scores are acceptable:
- Mathematics: PRE pass, Basic Skills pass, ACT mathematics 22 or higher, or MME mathematics 1116 or higher.
- Writing: PRE pass, Basic Skills pass, ACT combined English/writing 24 or higher, or MME writing 1129 or higher.
- Reading: PRE pass, Basic Skills pass, ACT reading 22 or higher, or MME reading 1108 or higher.
- ICHAT criminal background check, and Statement of Civil/Criminal Convictions. If you answered yes to any of the civil/criminal conviction questions on the application, you will need to provide:
- A copy of the Judgment of Sentence, Registrar of Actions, or Certification of Conviction.
- A written explanation of the offense(s). Application of students with civil/criminal convictions will be carefully reviewed and may take longer to process.
- Attendance at Group Advising Session required. Your major may require additional advising sessions.
Admission to Initial Teacher Preparation Program Candidacy:
Students must meet all of the following requirements, and complete Phase I before starting Phase II:
- A grade of “C” or higher in the following courses (courses must be completed): CURR 304 , RDNG 300 , SOFD 328W
- Official Test Scores showing competency in all three of the following areas: mathematics, reading, and writing. Scores are accepted from the Professional Readiness Exam (PRE), Basic Skills Test (no longer offered), ACT, or Michigan Merit Exam (MME). (see above scores). An alternative score in one area is acceptable.
- A Dispositions Review from CURR 304 will be completed in LiveText. Students will be responsible for saving this as a .PDF and uploading the file with their iChat form when applying to the ITTP.
Teacher Certification:
Completion of the Special Education Major K-12 Learning Disabilities Endorsement, within the context of other program requirements, qualifies students for recommendation to the Michigan Department of Education for a K-12 endorsement as a Teacher of Students with Learning Disabilities. This program of study meets all requirements of the Council for Exceptional Children and has been approved by the Michigan Department of Education.
Continuance Criteria:
Criteria for continuance in a program of study in the Department of Special Education is dependent upon:
- Maintenance of a 2.5 GPA.
- Maintenance of a 2.5 GPA in major courses in program of study.
- Completion of all courses in the major with a grade of C or better. Students will be required to retake any major course in which they earn a grade below C. A major course may be repeated only once.
- Demonstration of behaviors, which indicate stability, maturity, understanding and aptitude, as judged necessary for predicted success in the professional field of special education. Such qualitative judgments will be made by the department faculty.
The continuance or termination decision will be made by the faculty in the program area. Students may request a meeting with the faculty of a program area to apprise faculty of any extenuating circumstances that may aid faculty in arriving at a fair and equitable decision. The faculty decision will be final and will be transmitted to the student in writing by the department head.
Nothing in this department’s procedures will negate University or College of Education action for students on academic, administrative, or social probation.
Termination from the Department
Students who fail to comply with the continuation criteria stated above will be notified in writing of their termination from the program. Students so notified have the right to appeal such termination through normal University channels. In some cases, a student will be required to meet with program area faculty for discussion of academic performance and continuation in the program.
General Education Requirements:
For specific General Education requirements, click here .
Major Requirements: 79 hours
Liberal Arts Requirements: 36 hours
K-12 Special Education Core: 23 hours
Learning Disabilities Endorsement: 20 hours
Professional Elementary Education Sequence: 53 hours
Pre-Student Teaching Experience Requirements
One hundred fifty (150) hours of pre-student teaching are required. Fifty (50) hours will be completed in regular education K-5 classrooms. Fifty (50) hours will be completed in elementary special education settings. Fifty (50) hours will be completed in secondary special education settings. Some of these hours will be completed in conjunction with your education courses. All hours should be documented per department procedure.
Student Teaching:
Two (2) semesters of student teaching will be completed, one in a general education elementary classroom and one in a special education setting.
Minor Requirement:
This major does not require a minor.
Program Total:
Students must earn a minimum total of 124 credits at the 100-level or above.
Beginning in Fall 2022, all baccalaureate degree programs for all undergraduates (regardless of catalog year) will require a minimum of 120 credit hours for completion.
Critical Graduation Information:
Each undergraduate student will be responsible for the fulfillment of the requirements or their equivalents of the Eastern Michigan University catalog in force at the time of their initial registration at a college or university or a subsequent catalog including the one in effect at the time of their graduation.
In the event an undergraduate student does not complete the degree requirements within seven years of the date of their original registration at a college or university, the student may be required to have their credits re-evaluated by the academic department(s) of their major/minor in keeping with catalog requirements in force during the year of their graduation.
The following are minimum requirements for all bachelor’s degrees awarded by Eastern Michigan University. Some majors and minors require more than the minimum in one or more of the areas below; students are urged to consult the online catalog for the requirements of their particular programs.
- Earn a minimum total of 124 credits at the 100-level and above. Courses with numbers below 100 will not be counted toward this degree requirement. At most 8 credit hours of physical education (PEGN) activity courses will be counted toward this requirement. A Bachelor of Arts degree requires completion of one year of college credit in a world language.
- Meet the requirements of the General Education program (see information below).
- Complete a Writing Intensive (GEWI) Course in your major.
- Earn a minimum of 60 credits from a four-year college or university; courses taken at community colleges cannot be used to meet this requirement. (Some formal program-to-program articulation agreements modify this requirement. See specific agreements for details.)
- Earn a minimum of 30 credits from courses taken at EMU.
- Complete 10 of the last 30 hours for the degree from courses taken at EMU.
- Have a minimum of 30 unique credit hours in their major and 20 unique credit hours in their minor for a total of at least 50 unique credit hours between them. Some majors that require 50 or more hours themselves do not require a minor; students should check requirements of the selected major in the undergraduate catalog to see if a minor is required.
- Earn no more than 60 credit hours in one subject area (prefix). Credits in excess of the 60 maximum will not be counted toward the minimum of 124 credits required for a bachelor’s degree.
- Earn the minimum number of credits in 300-level and above courses in each major and minor as specified below - these credits must be earned in distinct courses; that is, no course can be used to fulfill this requirement in more than one major or minor.
- Earn a minimum of 6 credits in 300-level or higher courses at EMU in each minor
- Earn a minimum of 9 credits in 300-level or higher courses at EMU in each major that requires a minor.
- Earn a minimum of 15 credits in 300-level or higher courses at EMU in each major that does not require a minor
- Transfer credit will be awarded for courses taken at colleges and universities that are accredited by one of the recognized regional accrediting bodies only if the courses are college-level (equated to 100-level or above at EMU) and the student earned a “C” (or 2.0 on a 4 point scale) or better. Transfer credit may be awarded on a case-by-case basis for college-level courses in which a “C” (2.0) or better was earned at institutions outside the U.S. or at non-accredited U.S. institutions; the internal review of such courses is conducted by individual departments/schools within EMU, and additional documentation may be required. Please note: EMU awards only credits for transferred courses; grades are not used in the calculation of an EMU GPA.
- Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in courses taken at EMU in order to graduate. In addition, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 must be reached in each major and minor. Only courses taken at EMU and those applied to a student’s major or minor, will be used in the calculation of their major and minor cumulative GPAs. (Note: some programs may require a higher GPA - check with your program advisor.)
General Education Requirements:
EMU’s General Education Program requires students to choose from a menu of approved courses in several different areas; do not assume that other courses in the same department or with similar names will fulfill these requirements. A detailed description of General Education requirements is available in the General Education section of the catalog.
Students who transferred to EMU may have modified general education requirements based on Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) or articulation agreements; consult your academic advisor for additional information.
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