Special Education
Special education teachers use our expertise and creativity to create rich educational experiences for all our students — regardless of ability.
Through the bachelor’s degree in Special Education, you’ll train to be an educator who works capably and compassionately with students who have intellectual, social or behavioral challenges. Throughout the program, you’ll explore the newest methods for assisting learners with diverse needs, learn to use technology effectively in the 21st-century classroom, and complete multiple field experiences that put you side-by-side with students in local schools.
A bachelor’s degree in Special Education with elementary teacher certification will prepare you to teach all subjects in grades K-5 with the option to become endorsed in Learning Disabilities upon successful completion of the endorsement requirements.
Dearborn Discovery Core
Please see the Dearborn Discovery Core (General Education) webpage or additional information.
Foundational Studies
Writing and Communication (GEWO) – 6 Credits
Upper-Level Writing Intensive (GEWI) – 3 Credits
Quantitative Thinking and Problem Solving (GEQT) – 3 Credits
Critical and Creative Thinking (GECC) – 3 Credits
Areas of Inquiry
Natural Science (GENS) – 7 Credits
- Lecture/Lab Science Course
- Additional Science Course
Social and Behavioral Analysis (GESB) – 9 Credits
Humanities and the Arts (GEHA) – 6 Credits
Intersections (GEIN) – 6 Credits
Capstone
Capstone (GECE) – 3 Credits
Core Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Language Arts | ||
| COMP 105 | Writing & Rhetoric I | 3 |
| EXPS 298 | Exploring Writing to Communicate, Learn, & Teach | 3 |
| LING 280 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| LIBR 465 | Literature for Children | 3 |
| or EDA 236 | Literacy in Grades 3-9 | |
| Social Studies | ||
| EXPS 282 | History & Civics Elem Schools | 3 |
| EXPS 283 | Geography & Econ Elem Schools | 3 |
| or EDM 292 | The world around us: Integrated world geography for upper elementary teachers | |
| Mathematics | ||
| MATH 385 | Math for Elemen Teachers I | 3 |
| MATH 386 | Math for Elem Teachers II | 3 |
| MATH 387 | Math for Elem Teachers III (Not required for the Early Childhood major.) | 3 |
| Science Studies | ||
| NSCI 231 | Inquiry: Physical Science 1 | 3 |
| NSCI 232 | Inquiry:Earth/Planet Science 1 | 3 |
| NSCI 233 | Inquiry: Life Science 1 | 3 |
| EXPS 420 | Science Capstone | 3 |
Not required for the Early Childhood major. | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 39 | |
- 1
Two of the three NSCI core courses may be transferred to UM-Dearborn. A) an introductory physical science will satisfy NSCI 231, B) an introductory earth/planetary science will satisfy NSCI 232, and C) an introductory life science course will satisfy NSCI 233.
BIOL 240/BIOL 242 and NSCI 120/NSCI 121 cannot be used for science credit.
Pre-Professional Requirements
Pre-professional courses are generally completed in the freshman and sophomore year.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDA 205 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
| or EDA 200 | Social Justice & Community Based Education | |
| EDA 419 | Early Literacy/Language Devel | 3 |
| or EDA 219 | Early Literacy: PreKindergarten to Grade 3 | |
Required for Early Childhood and Special Education Majors only | ||
| EDC 240 | Psych of Child Development | 3 |
| EDF 450 | Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity for Children and Families | 3 |
| EDT 211 | Design Tech-Based Learn Solutn | 3 |
| EXPS 250 | Elem Ed Vis & Perf Arts | 3 |
| EXPS 407 | Inquiry-based Math and Science | 3 |
Required for Early Childhood Majors only | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 21 | |
Major Requirements
A minimum of 30 semester hours from the following:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDC 401 | Introduction to LD | 3 |
| EDN 403 | Assessment of the Learner | 3 |
| EDN 401 | Strategies for LD | 3 |
| EDN 402 | Socio-vocational Transitions | 3 |
| PDED 405 | Sp Ed Legisltn and Litigation | 3 |
| EDC 417 | Mgmt of Classroom Behavior Also counts in Education Professional Studies | 3 |
| EDC 240 | Psych of Child Development Also counts in Pre-Professional Studies | 3 |
| EDT 430 | Assistive Technology | 3 |
| EDD 413 | LD Elem Directed Teaching | 2 |
| EDD 420 | LD Sec Directed Teaching | 2 |
| EDN 408 | LD Directed Teaching Seminar | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Program Notes:
- Minimum GPA's are required for program completion: 2.75 cumulative, 2.75 in major, 2.75 in optional minor(s), and 2.75 in Professional Studies.
- Advising Policy: The student is responsible for complying with requirements described in the Undergraduate Catalog as well as on the Four Phase Checklist. Students are expected to meet with their College of Education, Health, and Human Services advisor at least once per year and in the term prior to graduation.
- Courses taken on a PASS/FAIL basis will NOT be accepted toward program completion.
- The minimum number of semester hours required to graduate is 128.
- CEHHS recommends successful program completers for State of Michigan Certification, however, it is ultimately up to the State of Michigan to issue certificates. Certain offenses on a criminal record can keep individuals from obtaining teacher certification. Please refer to The Revised School Code, Act 451 of 1976, section 380.1539b.
- Students must meet Dearborn Discovery Core requirements.