Bachelor of Science in Education - Special Education

Program Description

The Special Education program at Columbus State University provides pre-service teachers a solid knowledge base emphasizing contemporary theory and research. In the first two years, a pre-professional special education major completes studies which establish eligibility for admission to teacher education. This is followed by a sequence of campus and field-based courses culminating in the student teaching semester during the senior year.

Educator Preparation at Columbus State University is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

All educator preparation programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

The B.S.Ed. Special Education program is also nationally recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children.

Career Opportunities

Special Education is a profession with a future. The discipline of General Curriculum Reading Concentration prepares successful students for well paid positions in public or private schools which are expected to last. The graduate is prepared for employment in the areas of teaching preschool and school age children and, with experience, for directing a child care center. In addition, it provides an excellent base for pursuing careers in the areas of social services and early intervention. The B.S.Ed. Special Education - General Curriculum program leads to entry level (T-4) Georgia certification.

Admission Requirements

During the sophomore year, students intending to complete a teacher education program make formal application to the teacher education program. Normally, this occurs after the student has completed three semesters of full-time course work. Application is made to the COEHP Office of Student Advising and Field Experiences. For additional information, go to http://safe.columbusstate.edu/teacher_ed.php

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of how exceptionalities may interact with development and learning and use this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences for individuals with exceptionalities.
• Demonstrating competence in creating safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments for individuals with exceptionalities.
• Demonstrate and use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for individuals with exceptionalities.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the use of multiple methods of assessment and data-sources in making educational decisions.
• Demonstrate competence in selecting, adapting, and using a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning of individuals with exceptionalities.
• Demonstrate and use foundational knowledge of the field and professional ethical principles and practice standards to inform special education practice, to engage in lifelong learning, and to advance the profession.
• Demonstrate competence in collaborating with families, other educators, related service providers, individuals with exceptionalities, and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a range of learning experiences.

Additional Program Requirements

A review of student records is conducted each semester to determine whether a student is eligible to continue in the Teacher Education Program. Retention is based on the following:

• Maintain a CSU and Overall 2.50 GPA. If the grade point average falls below the requirement, the student has one semester to raise his/her GPA. Students who do not meet the GPA requirements after that semester must take additional courses other than the ones required for admission to teacher education.
• Students must earn not less than a C in field and professional courses. Only 10 percent of the professional and field courses may be repeated at CSU or another accredited college. Correspondence courses will not be accepted in field or professional courses.
• Students who fail to complete a degree program after three years from date of admission to Teacher Education will be excluded from the program and required to re-apply under current admission policies.

To be eligible for CSU's recommendation for a Georgia professional teaching certificate, students must complete a rigorous program of coursework. They also must meet certain other criteria required by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Please contact the COEHP Student Advising & Field Experiences office at 706-565-1433 for further information.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses:

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4-5
COMM 1110
Select two of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses: Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the extra hour may be used as an elective.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

Select one of the following fine arts courses: *ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 10-11
Select two science courses from the list below, one of which must include a lab.

Select one of the following courses or a science course from above:

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3

PHED 1205
Select any one MSAL 4419.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 60

Student Teaching Experience
EDUF 4115 Classroom Management
SPED 4485 Student Teaching

Total Hours Required: 123