Program Description
Your ability to advocate for and teach others will suit you well as a CMU special education major. Through this program, you’ll develop an expertise in inspiring children and young adults with learning, cognitive, physical, emotional and health needs. You’ll gain life-changing experiences through student groups, community opportunities and CMU disABILITY Awareness events. You’ll be able to volunteer for the Special Olympic Summer Games each year on campus, or you can head to Traverse City for the Winter Games. All students become dually certified in special education and general education with an elementary or secondary focus.
Students interested in obtaining the Michigan Provisional Teaching Certificate must complete the Bachelor of Science in Education degree in the desired level and appropriate content area(s), including the following:
- Special Education: Teachers of Students with Cognitive Impairment
- Special Education: Teachers of Students with Emotional Impairment
Put Your Degree to Work
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics sample data
| Job | Median Pay | Job Growth through 2022 |
|---|
| Special education teacher | $55,060 per year | 6% (26,600 more jobs) |
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Special Education Major: Teachers of Students With Cognitive Impairment
Total: 42 semester hours
Core Courses
(24 hours)
Note: SPE 322, 323, and 324 require a C+ or better.
SPE 126
Introduction to Special Education
3
Education of students who deviate significantly from the norm intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, or educationally.
SPE 322
Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Special Needs
6
Special education instructional design and methodology. Includes critical teaching behaviors, strategy instruction, classroom organization and management, and technology. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with grade of C or better.
SPE 323
Classroom Management for Students with Special Needs
3
Intervention approaches to design positive classroom environments. Includes identification of behavioral/affective issues, social skills instruction, and proactive classroom management approaches. Prerequisite(s): SPE 126 with a grade of C or better; SPE 322 with a grade of C+ or better. Co-requisite(s): SPE 323 may be taken as a co- requisite with SPE 324.
SPE 324
Special Education Classroom-Based Assessment
6
This course is designed to present information on the most current trends in classroom-based assessment, with emphasis placed on Curriculum-Based Assessment Methods. NOTE: Application to register for this course must be filed during the semester prior to registration for approval. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a grade of C or better; SPE 322 and 323 with a grade of C+ or better; Tier Two - Admission of Candidacy to Teacher Education. Pre/Co-requisite: SPE 323 may be taken as a co- requisite with SPE 324.
SPE 550WI
Teaching Diverse Students in Educational Settings
3
Survey of sociocultural influences on the performance of students from varying backgrounds, and educational provisions made for them in public schools including an anti-bias framework. This course may be offered in an online format. Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or graduate status.
SPE 570
Career Development and Transitions
3
Lifespan issues for persons with disabilities, stressing curriculum content and instructional strategies that promote interdisciplinary career development and transition education at all age levels. This course may be offered in an online format. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a C or better; Junior standing or graduate status.
Required Courses
(18 hours)
Professional Sequence
Note: SPE 519, 521, and 522 require a C+ or better.
SPE 458
Special Education Clinical Experience: Cognitive Impairment
9
This course provides a 16-week clinical experience working with students with cognitive impairment in a classroom appropriate to the special education endorsement. CR/NC only. Prerequisites: Elementary Regular Education Students: EDU 107, 330, 380, and 393 with a C+ or better. Minimum of C+ in all EDU courses. Secondary Regular Education Students: EDU 107, 290, 310, 325 with C+ or better. Minimum of C+ in all EDU classes. Both: Approval by major and minor departments indicating that 75 percent of coursework is completed with GPA of 2.7 or better. Overall GPA of 2.7 or better. SPE 126 with a C or better; SPE 322, 323, 324, 578 and 579 all with a C+ or better; Tier Two: Admission of Candidacy to Teacher Education. Co-requisite: SPE 522.
SPE 519
Students with Cognitive Impairment
3
Causes, diagnostic procedures, and research concerning individuals with cognitive impairment. Grade of C+ or better required to count toward degree. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a grade of C or better; SPE 322 and 323 with grades of C+ or better; Tier Two - Admission of Candidacy to Teacher Education. Graduate students may be admitted with permission of instructor.
SPE 521
Teaching Students with Cognitive Impairment
3
Special techniques and materials used in instruction of students who have cognitive disorders. Grade of C+ or better required to count toward degree. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with grade of C or better; SPE 322, SPE 323 with grades of C+ or better; Tier Two - Admission of Candidacy to Teacher Education. Graduate students may be admitted with permission of instructor.
SPE 522
Seminar in Advanced Methods for Teaching Students with Cognitive Impairment
3
This course involves the practical application of pedagogical knowledge for teaching students with cognitive impairment. Students must receive a C+ or better in this course. This course may be offered in an online format. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a C or better; SPE 322, 323, 324, 519, 521 all with a C+ or better; Tier Two: Admission of Candidacy to Teacher Education. Co-Requisite: SPE 458.
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Special Education Major: Teachers of Students With Emotional Impairment
Total: 42 semester hours
Core Courses
(24 hours)
Note: SPE 322, 323, and 324 require a C+ or better.
SPE 126
Introduction to Special Education
3
Education of students who deviate significantly from the norm intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, or educationally.
SPE 322
Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Special Needs
6
Special education instructional design and methodology. Includes critical teaching behaviors, strategy instruction, classroom organization and management, and technology. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with grade of C or better.
SPE 323
Classroom Management for Students with Special Needs
3
Intervention approaches to design positive classroom environments. Includes identification of behavioral/affective issues, social skills instruction, and proactive classroom management approaches. Prerequisite(s): SPE 126 with a grade of C or better; SPE 322 with a grade of C+ or better. Co-requisite(s): SPE 323 may be taken as a co- requisite with SPE 324.
SPE 324
Special Education Classroom-Based Assessment
6
This course is designed to present information on the most current trends in classroom-based assessment, with emphasis placed on Curriculum-Based Assessment Methods. NOTE: Application to register for this course must be filed during the semester prior to registration for approval. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a grade of C or better; SPE 322 and 323 with a grade of C+ or better; Tier Two - Admission of Candidacy to Teacher Education. Pre/Co-requisite: SPE 323 may be taken as a co- requisite with SPE 324.
SPE 550WI
Teaching Diverse Students in Educational Settings
3
Survey of sociocultural influences on the performance of students from varying backgrounds, and educational provisions made for them in public schools including an anti-bias framework. This course may be offered in an online format. Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or graduate status.
SPE 570
Career Development and Transitions
3
Lifespan issues for persons with disabilities, stressing curriculum content and instructional strategies that promote interdisciplinary career development and transition education at all age levels. This course may be offered in an online format. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a C or better; Junior standing or graduate status.
Required Courses
(18 hours)
Professional Sequence
Note: SPE 578, 579, and 581 require a C+ or better.
SPE 456
Special Education Clinical Experience: Emotional Impairment
9
This course provides a 16-week clinical experience working with students with emotional impairment in a classroom appropriate to the special education endorsement. CR/NC only. Prerequisites: Elementary Regular Education Students: EDU 107, 330, 380, and 393 with a C+ or better. Minimum of C+ in all EDU courses. Secondary Regular Education Students: EDU 107, 290, 310, 325 with C+ or better. Minimum of C+ in all EDU classes. Both: Approval by major and minor departments indicating that 75 percent of coursework is completed with GPA of 2.7 or better. Overall GPA of 2.7 or better. SPE 126 with a C or better; SPE 322, 323, 324, 578 and 579 all with a C+ or better; Tier Two: Admission of Candidacy to Teacher Education. Co-requisite: SPE 581.
SPE 578
Students with Emotional Impairment
3
Diagnostic procedures, therapy, and research concerning children and youth with emotional impairment. Grade of C+ or better required to count toward degree. This course may be offered in an online format. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a grade of C or better; SPE 322 and 323 with grades of C+ or better; Tier Two - Admission of Candidacy to Teacher Education.
SPE 579
Teaching Students with Emotional Impairment
3
Special techniques and materials used in instruction of students who have emotional and behavioral disorders. Grade of C+ or better required to count toward degree. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a grade of C or better; SPE 322, 323 with grades of C+ or better; Tier Two - Admission of Candidacy to Teacher Education. Graduate students may be admitted with permission of instructor.
SPE 581
Seminar in Advanced Methods for Teaching Students with Emotional Impairment
3
This course involves the practical application of pedagogical knowledge for teaching students with emotional impairment. Students must receive a C+ or better in this course. This course may be offered in an online format. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a C or better; SPE 322, 323, 324, 578, 579 all with a C+ or better; Tier Two: Admission of Candidacy to Teacher Education. Co-Requisite: SPE 456.
