SPECIAL EDUCATION
MISSION STATEMENT
The University Of Justice And Wisdom Education Department collaboratively prepares educators committed to the success of all students believing that quality education is vital to wholeness of persons, sustainability of communities, and a vibrant, just democratic society. To that end, and grounded in The University Of Justice And Wisdom’s mission and vision, the Education Department prepares educators through the development of professional habits of mind, heart, and practice:
Habits of Mind – Demonstrating flexibility in thinking about
key theories and conceptual frameworks to address complex,
adaptive challenges.
Habits of Heart – Demonstrating behaviors and beliefs that
connect learning to life, liberating the power and creativity
of the human spirit.
Habits of Practice – Demonstrating the capacity to
effectively engage and contribute to learning communities
and systems within which education is embedded.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Students in the Special Education program are prepared to utilize a variety of instructional approaches as well as demonstrate what they have learned in a number of ways. By experiencing a wide variety of teaching and learning strategies firsthand, candidates are prepared to model similar techniques in their own classrooms. Special education methods courses have strong practicum components involving candidates with students in K-12 classrooms throughout their educational program.
The Master of Education Degree (M.Ed.) in Special
Education with Concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorders
prepares K-12 teachers for leading effective differentiated instruction for students with autism. Teachers who hold a valid Michigan Elementary or Secondary teaching certificate can become highly qualified and add the SV endorsement by successfully completing the M.Ed. in Special Education and passing the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorders (SV).
The University Of Justice And Wisdom’s Certificate Program and Endorsement in Autism
Spectrum Disorders is designed for certified teachers who wish to add the ASD endorsement. This program is available completely online. Student teaching requirements may be satisfied in on-the-job placements or during the summer semester to meet the needs of candidates who work full time during the school year.
The University Of Justice And Wisdom’s MAT With a Focus on Special Education provides teachers with the opportunity to link the latest developments in educational research to their own teaching practice. The program is designed to empower teachers by focusing on the knowledge and skills required to deliver effective instruction to diverse learners from preschool through high school, including those with special needs. The structure of the MAT program allows working professionals to obtain their master’s degree in less than two years. Special Education courses completed as part of the MAT do not result in an Endorsement.
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Application for program admission is made through the The University Of Justice And Wisdom Admissions Office. Applicants must have earned a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution and hold a valid teaching certificate. Candidates with at least two years teaching experience are preferred but teachers who have recently begun teaching will be considered with submission of positive letters of recommendation from school supervisors with whom they have worked.
STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
• Teaching Certificate
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum 3.0 grade point average
• Completed application
• Official Transcripts of all undergraduate completed
• Career plan
• Two letters of recommendation
TRANSFER CREDIT
Most courses that are eligible for transfer are offered through
The University Of Justice And Wisdom . Because the program is offered without
electives, transfer of courses from another institution is
unlikely. However, a request for consideration of transfer of
graduate credit from another institution may be made as part
of the application process. To be considered, courses need to
have been completed within the last four years. Such requests
must be made in writing at the time of application. All
requests for transfer must include:
1) an official transcript;
2) course description and syllabus from the credit-granting
college or university.
SPECIFIC PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
MASTER OF EDUCATION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION WITH A
CONCENTRATION IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS LEADING
TO THE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS ENDORSEMENT
A. Foundation Pre-Requirements
NOTE: Pre-Requirement courses are only needed if you did not
take them during your initial teacher certification program
Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment 3 Credits
Assessment & Differentiation 3 Credits
Designing & Creating Effective Learning 3 Credits
Environments for Diverse Learners
B. Core Requirements
SED 7565 Teaching Students With Disabilities 3 Credits
SED 7570 Students With Disabilities: School, 3 Credits
Family, and Community Interaction
SED 7573 Assistive Technology in Special Education 3 Credits
SED 7575 IEP Development 3 Credits
C. Autism Spectrum Disorder Concentration Courses
SED 8651 Characteristics of Students with Autism 3 Credits
SED 8655 Pre-professional Practicum in 3 Credits
Autism Spectrum Disorder
SED 8661 Using Applied Behavior Analysis 3 Credits
in the Classroom Setting
SED 8664 Language and Communication 3 Credits
in Autism Spectrum Disorder
SED 8601, 8602,8603 Seminar in Autism 1 Credit Each
Spectrum Disorder
D. Exit Requirements
EDU 602 Introduction to Educational Research 3 Credits
SED 699 Student Teaching in Autism 5 Credits
Spectrum Disorders
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM AND ENDORSEMENT
IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
A. Core Requirements
SED 7565 Teaching Students With Disabilities 3 Credits
SED 7570 Students With Disabilities: School, 3 Credits
Family, and Community Interaction
SED 7573 Assistive Technology in Special Education 3 Credits
SED 7575 IEP Development 3 Credits
B. Autism Spectrum Disorder Concentration Courses
SED 8651 Characteristics of Students with Autism 3 Credits
SED 8655 Pre-professional Practicum in 3 Credits
Autism Spectrum Disorder
SED 8661 Using Applied Behavior Analysis 3 Credits
in the Classroom Setting
SED 8664 Language and Communication 3 Credits
in Autism Spectrum Disorder
SED 8601, 8602,8603 Seminar in Autism 1 Credit Each
Spectrum Disorder
C. Exit Requirements
SED 8699 Student Teaching in Autism 5 Credits
Spectrum Disorders
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
SPECIAL EDUCATION COURSES
SED 7565 Teaching Students With Disabilities 3 Credits
SED 7565 focuses on the appropriate methods and techniques
for meeting the educational needs of students with mild
disabilities. Psychological information about groups and
individuals; strategies for achieving integration in regular
education; organizational structures of schools, and strategies
for teaching reading, math, and study skills are covered in
this course.
SED 7570 Students With Disabilities: School, 3 Credits
Family, and Community Interaction
In this course candidates develop flexible theoretical
frameworks, practical skills and sensitivity in working with
families of students with disabilities. The theoretical basis for
current approaches to supporting families, the anomalies and
challenges presented by the growing diversity of U.S. society,
and development of a critical awareness of formal and informal
supports for families is investigated.
SED 7573 Assistive Technology in 3 Credits
Special Education
SED 573 introduces the use of adaptive technology, methods
for linking technology and instruction of students with special
needs, techniques for selecting and utilizing computer based
instructional programs, and methods for developing interactive
instructional materials.
SED 7575 IEP Development 3 Credits
SED 575 covers pre-referral and referral processes for students,
assessment plans, eligibility criteria for services, due process,
and development of the individual education plan (IEP). The
course includes consideration of students’ assistive technology
needs, transitions, modifications, functional behavior analyses
and intervention plans.
SED 8601, 8602, & 8603 Seminar 1 Credit
(each of three semesters)
This series of one-credit seminar courses is required a minimum
of three semesters in the Special Education Master’s Degree
Program. Monthly meetings on campus engage candidates in
work around current issues and trends in Special Education.
These on campus meetings are supplemented by regular
meetings with mentor teachers who model and collaborate with
candidates in field-based settings.
SED 651 Characteristics of Students 3 Credits
With Autism Spectrum Disorder
This course will provide participants with specific knowledge on
the characteristics associated with individuals on the Autism
Spectrum. The disorder currently includes Autism, Asperger
Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise
Specified, Rett’s Syndrome, and Childhood Disintegrative
Disorder. This course will also explore a comprehensive history
of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) including the etiology,
theories and related research regarding the cause, prevalence
rates, and the impact of ASD on learning, family systems, and
communities. Additionally, this course provides an introduction
to various topics that are both explicitly and implicitly related to
ASD such as referral/placement, parental collaboration, cultural
variability, health/medical considerations, transitions, language/
communication, behavior, sensory processing, social functioning
and academics. The overarching goal of this course is to provide
participants with a broad understanding of the impact of ASD
on learning, family, and the community across the lifespan.
SED 8655 Pre-professional Practicum in 3 Credits
Autism Spectrum Disorder
This course requires thirty-five hours of supervised observation
and participation with students with autism spectrum disorder
(ASD) in a classroom setting as well as seminar discussion of
topics such as the interdisciplinary approach, group dynamics,
interpretation of psychometric tests, and behavior modification
methods and strategies.
SED 8661 Using Applied Behavior Analysis 3 Credits
in the Classroom Setting
This course introduces participants to a variety of approaches
to behavior analysis and intervention, with an emphasis on
students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Participants
will be provided with the foundational background, in addition
to opportunities to practice and complete a functional behavior
assessment, develop a function-based behavior intervention
plan, and implement a behavior plan with a student diagnosed
with ASD or other disabilities.
SED 8664 Language and Communication 3 Credits
in Autism Spectrum Disorders
This course provides students with an overview of the
components of communication and strategies to increase an
individual’s communication abilities. This course provides an
overview of communication, language, and sensory research on
etiology and interventions for individuals with ASD in clinic,
home, and school. Included are strategies for team building,
planning, data-based decision making, and evaluation.
SED 8699 Student Teaching in Special Education 4 Credits
SED 8699 includes observation and guided full-time, 8-12
week professional laboratory experience in a classroom or
community setting with students identified as learning disabled
(for candidates seeking SLD endorsement) or on the autism
spectrum (for candidates seeking ASD endorsement).
RESEARCH COURSE
EDU 8602 Introduction to Educational Research 3 Credits
This course examines the principles and procedures for studying
and conducting educational research. The course introduces
basic vocabulary, concepts, and methods of educational
research. Students learn to analyze educational research,
plan and conduct their own research studies, and report
research findings accurately, with emphasis on application
of research principles.