SPED 346 - Survey of Exceptionalities
Hours: 3
This course will provide a survey of populations identified with exceptionalities. Attention will be given to the causes and effects of these differences upon the individual's development. Emphasis will be given to the historical, legal, and philosophical aspects of Special Education services.

SPED 381 - Foundations & Characteristics of Students with Visual Impairments
Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide an overview of the characteristics of and services for persons with blindness and visual impairments, including the impact of blindness and visual impairment on infants' and children's growth and development, child and adolescent emotional and social development, and family interaction patterns. Considers the educational, conceptual, psychosocial, and physical implications of a visual impairment. Prerequisites: SPED 346 or concurrent enrollment. Corequisites: SPED 346.

SPED 382 - Medical and Educational Implications of Visual Impairments
Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide an introduction to anatomy and physiology of the visual system and the educational implications of visual pathology. Covers anatomy of the human eye, visual development, pathology of the eye, examination procedures for the identification of visual pathology, and the effects of pathology on visual learning and development. Prerequisites: SPED 346.

SPED 420 - Current Topics in Special Education
Hours: 3
SPED 420 addresses special topics in special education, including early childhood special education, culturally responsive teaching, social-emotional learning and trauma-responsive classrooms, universal design for learning, assistive technology, and family collaboration/resources.

SPED 449 - Assessment of Students with Special Needs
Hours: 3
This course will develop skills for assessing students with special needs. Students will be presented with a variety of assessment and evaluation procedures. Normative and criterion referenced procedures will be examined. Emphasis will be placed on curriculum-based assessment, progress monitoring, and the use of formative and summative evaluation strategies in educational decision making. Students will also learn how to create and maintain student audit folders as well as evaluate student schedules for compliance with the least restrictive environment. Prerequisites: SPED 346.

SPED 452 - Residency for EC6 SPED Majors
Hours: 3
This course is taught in a seminar format during EC-6 SPED Specialization field-based residency and includes observation, participation and direct teaching at the elementary level for students seeking the EC6 SPED Specialization. Prerequisites: SPED 346, 420, 449, 463 and 478. Must have overall 2.75 GPA and a 2.75 in component areas of program.

SPED 463 - Effective Classroom Management and Positive Behavioral Interventions
Hours: 3
This course is designed to explore best practices of effective classroom management and individual behavior intervention strategies. Emphasis will be given to creating proactive learning environments through positive behavioral interventions and support. Discussions of Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans will be included. Prerequisites: SPED 346.

SPED 464 - Fostering Transition and Collaboration
Hours: 3
This course examines programs and services available for students, families, and adults planning for transition. Variables influencing employment, community living and extended care in private and public agencies as well as sources of services, networks, and organizations for individuals with disabilities are examined. Emphasis will be placed on College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS), empowering students through fostering self-advocacy, and facilitating student and family involvement in the IEP meeting. Collaboration models for content area instruction and for working with families and related service providers will also be addressed. Prerequisites: SPED 346.

SPED 466 - EC-6/SPED Internship
Hours: 3
This course is taught in a seminar format during the EC-6/SPED field-based internship. Students will be involved in classroom observations and in supervised teaching of children with special needs. Activities include the application of developmental and learning theories in applied settings. Prerequisites: SPED 346, SpEd 478, SPED 449, and SPED 463. Must have overall 2.75 GPA and a 2.75 in component areas of program.

SPED 468 - Low Incidence Disabilities
Hours: 3
This course explores characteristics of low incidence disabilities. Best practice and policies related to low incidence disabilities will be examined. Addressing instructional needs, placement and accommodations will be a focus. Prerequisites: SPED 346.

SPED 470 - EC-6/SPED Concentration Residency
Hours: 3
This course is taught in a seminar format during the EC-6/SPED field-based residency. Students will plan, develop, implement and evaluate academic and social/behavioral programs for students with special needs in a field-based environment. Collaboration and transition planning are included. Prerequisites: SPED 346, 449, 463, and 478. Must have overall 2.75 GPA and a 2.75 in component areas of program.

SPED 472 - SPED Residency
Hours: 6
This course is taught in a seminar format during SPED field-based residency and includes observation, participation and direct teaching at the secondary levels for students seeking the special education certification. Prerequisites: SPED 346, SPED 420, SPED 449, SPED 463, SPED 464, SPED 468, SPED 475. Must have overall 2.75 GPA and a 2.75 in component areas of program.

SPED 475 - Instructional Strategies for the Content Areas
Hours: 3
SPED 475 introduces students to research-based strategies and techniques for teaching elementary and secondary content to students with disabilities, or those who are at-risk academically, in a variety of general and special education settings. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for English language arts and reading, mathematics, science, and fine arts (Kindergarten-Grade 6), and content specific TEKS appropriate for students in Grades 6-12. Designing instruction to meet the needs of a diverse group of students, using high-leverage practices, based on information from various types of formative and summative assessments will be addressed. Attention will also be given to teacher strategies for promoting student engagement. Prerequisites: SPED 346 with a grade of C.

SPED 480 - Issues for Inclusion
Hours: 3
This course is taught during EC-6 Generalist or 4-8 Content Internship seminar and is designed to explore academic and social/emotional needs of students with disabilities in field-based inclusive settings. Management strategies, academic accommodations/modifications, and social skill development will be addressed. Note: Limited to EC-6 Generalist or 4-8 Content majors only.

SPED 481 - Braille Code for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments
Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide future teachers of students with visual impairments with a foundation in reading, writing, and producing both Unified English Braille and Nemeth Code. Prerequisites: SPED 346.

SPED 482 - Basic Orientation & Mobility for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments
Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide future teachers of students with visual impairments with a foundation of the history of orientation and mobility. Topics include cane instruction, dog guides, assistive technology and travel methods, as well as motor and concept skill development Prerequisites: SPED 346.

SPED 485 - Assessment & Instruction for Academic Students with Visual Impairments
Hours: 3
This course is designed to offer methods of assessment and instruction for students with visual impairments. Students will learn to complete functional vision evaluations, learning media assessments and expanded core curriculum assessments for this population of students. Reading and literacy, assistive technology, and the expanded core curriculum will be covered. Prerequisites: SPED 346.

SPED 487 - Assessment & Instruction for Students with Multiple Disabilities & Visual Impairments
Hours: 3
This course is designed to offer methods of assessment and instruction for students with multiple disabilities and visual impairments. Students will learn to complete functional vision evaluations, learning media assessments and expanded core curriculum assessments. Assistive technology, adaptations, and the expanded core curriculum will be covered. Prerequisites: SPED 346.

SPED 488 - Ind Prob in SP ED
Hours: 3

SPED 489 - Independent Study
Hours: 1-6
Independent studies are arranged as needed with individual faculty members.

SPED 490 - Honors Thesis
Hours: 3
Individualized instruction/research at an advanced level in a specialized content area under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequisites: Consent of department head.

SPED 491 - Independent Honors Readings
Hours: 3
Individualized instruction/research at an advanced level in a specialized content area under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequisites: Consent of department head.

SPED 497 - SPECIAL TOPICS
Hours: 1-4
Special Topics. Organized class. May be repeated when topics vary.