Special Education Major

Special Education Major Requirements

Please see the Program Requirements Disclaimer when planning your coursework.

Mission Statement

A teacher holding the Academic and Behavioral Strategist license is authorized to provide evaluation and specially designed instruction to eligible children and youth with disabilities from kindergarten through age 21 who have a range of mild to moderate needs in the areas of academic, behavior, social/emotional, communication, and functional performance. These students may be eligible for special education services in the primary disability areas of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), developmental cognitive disability (DCD), emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD), other health disorders (OHD), and specific learning disabilities (SLD).

Program Learning Outcomes

Bethany Lutheran College students majoring in special education will meet the following objectives as they fulfill the requirements for the B.A. degree and Minnesota State Licensure:

• Master course content that includes curriculum, pedagogy, and proficiencies based on the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice for Teachers.
• Demonstrate performance objectives that require effective instructional planning, delivery, and assessment skills for all students.
• Develop professionalism as evidenced by the candidate’s professional growth in several areas including self-confidence, sensitivity to the learner’s needs and awareness of classroom effectiveness, and awareness of the need for continual growth.
• Write clearly and coherently, read with comprehension, speak effectively, and listen with care and openness.
• Use mathematical skills and knowledge of quantitative methods of assessment and evaluation.
• Use appropriate technologies as tools for problem solving and for finding, analyzing, and communicating information.
• Think critically and reflectively and draw reasonable, supportable conclusions both individually and in groups.
• Cultivate physical and psychological health and well-being within oneself and others.
• Engender the will to pursue continued cultural, intellectual, professional and spiritual growth
• Integrate an ethical perspective, a sense of moral purpose, and an understanding of the Christian faith.

Special Education Scope

Bethany’s special education major offers Minnesota state-approved teaching licensure for Special Education K–12. The focus of the Special Education major will be Academic Behavior Specialist.

Entry into the Major

The liberal arts serve as a foundation on which students build their professional education sequence.

1. Successful completion of 55 credits of general education core courses including EDUC100, EDUC230, and EDUC 370.
2. An application to the special education major.
3. A one-page autobiographical essay.
4. A transcript that verifies a 2.75 GPA in the core education major classes.
5. A preliminary plan for matriculation through the major.
6. Interview with the special education major committee.
7. A positive clinical experiences from EDUC100, 310, and/or 370.

General Education Requirements

• SMNR101 Freshman Seminar
• International Language (8 credits)
• ENGL100 Stretch Composition I
• ENGL101 Stretch Composition II or ENGL110 College Writing I
• COMM111 Fundamentals of Speech
• HIST207 History of USA I or HIST208 History of USA II
• RELG108 Essentials of Christianity I or RELG110 Introduction to Christianity I
• RELG109 Essentials of Christianity II or RELG111 Introduction to Christianity II
• Religion 200-level electives (3 credits)
• Religion 300-level electives (6 credits)
• Lab Science elective (4 credits)
• Literature elective (3 credits)
• Fine Arts elective (3 credits)
• Human Institutions elective (3 credits)
• Math elective (MATH110 or higher) (3-4 credits)
• SOCL330 American Minorities*
• HIST403 Native American Culture and Government*

Education Requirements

A grade of C+ or higher must be obtained in each of these courses as these courses contain embedded licensure standards.

• EDUC100 Education Foundation/Philosophy
• EDUC230 Educational Psychology & Human Relations
• EDUC370 Introduction to the Exceptional Learner
• EDUC401 Educational Technology and Media
• EDUC450 Curriculum Planning and Assessment
• EDUC455 Classroom Management
• SOCL330 American Minorities
• HIST403 Native American Culture and Government

Special Education Core Requirements

A grade of C+ or higher must be obtained in each of these courses as these courses contain embedded licensure standards.

• EDUC210 Linguistics for Professionals
• SPED200 Identification and Assessment for Special Education Services
• SPED300 Special Education IEP & Transition Planning
• SPED310 Special Education Law and Advocacy
• SPED320 Literacy Assessment & Interventions for Students with Disabilities
• EDUC325 Children’s Literature
• SPED340 Behavior Mgmt & Classroom Environments for Students with Disabilities
• SPED350 Special Education Practicum I
• SPED360 Special Education Practicum II

Academic and Behavioral Strategist Licensure

A grade of C+ or higher must be obtained in each of these courses as these courses contain embedded licensure standards.

• EDUC390 Teaching Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
• EDUC430 Teaching Mathematics
• EDUC495 Student Teaching I
• EDUC497 Student Teaching II-G
• EDUC486
• PSYC120 Human Growth and Development
• PSYC325 Psychology of Child Development
• SPED370 Consultation, Collaboration & Resources in Special Education
• SPED400 Behavioral Methods & Mental Health for Mild to Moderate Disabilities
• SPED401 Methods/Strategies Teaching Students with Mild-Moderate Disabilities

Additional Requirements

Important requirements of all students completing Minnesota Teaching in Special Education licensure at Bethany Lutheran College:

• Complete all standards based courses with a C+ or above.
• Maintain 2.75 GPA
• Pass the following two Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams: (1) MTLE: Pedagogy K-6 or 5-12; and (2) MTLE: Subject matter/content 5-12 mathematics
• Complete the Human Relations/Diversity components
• Complete all courses required for Minnesota State Licensure
• Satisfactory completion of Teaching Internships and Seminar
• Satisfactory completion of Professional Portfolio
• Submission of certification of Adult/Infant First Aid/AED/CPR Training

Note: An appeals process is outlined in the Elementary and Secondary Education Handbook. According to Minnesota Statute 122A.09 Subdivision 4(c), a candidate who remains unsatisfied with a dispute regarding recommendation for licensure may appeal the decision to the Minnesota Board of Teaching.

Bethany Lutheran College Education Programs are approved by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB).