Special Education (B.S.)
The Bachelor's of Science in Special Education leads to a grade-band certification (e.g., B-K; PK-3, 3-6, etc.) along with certification in Special Education in the area of Cognitive Impairment or Autism Spectrum Disorder. Candidates must meet the grade-band certification requirements and attain a Michigan Standard Teaching Certification in that grade-band in order to attain the Cognitive Impairment or Autism Spectrum Disorder certification.
Admission Requirements
Currently, students may be entered into one of our teacher certification programs upon admission to Wayne State University.
Section Contents
- Degree Requirements
- General Education
- Special Education
- Autism Spectrum Disorder K-12
- Cognitive Impairment K-12
- B-K Grade Band
- PreK-3 Grade Band
- 3-6 Grade Band
- English Language Arts Grade Band 7-12
- Mathematics Education Grade Band 5-9 (An admissions moratorium is in effect for this concentration.)
- Mathematics Education Grade Band 7-12
- Adapted Physical Education K-12 Concentration (Optional)
Degree Requirements
All students must complete University General Education Requirements, the Autism Spectrum Disorder or Cognitive Impairment concentration (some of these courses may also satisfy the University General Education Requirements), and the required courses for at least one grade band concentration (e.g., B-K, PK-3, 3-6, 5-9, or 7-12 grade band concentrations). If electing both the B-K and PK-3 grade band, note the course exceptions listed in the footnote^.
The total number of credit hours for the degree varies from 130 to 142 depending on how General Education Requirements are met and which grade band concentrations are elected. A minimum of 120 credit hours are required for the degree. Students may elect to complete the Adapted Physical Education K-12 concentration in addition to the requirements listed above. Electing to add the Adapted Physical Education K-12 concentration will result in 15 additional credit hours.
No grade below ‘C’ may be used to meet any requirement specific to the Special Education major or the PK-3 and 3-6 grade band concentrations.
General Education
When electing the B-K, PK-3, or 3-6 grade bands: Quantitative Experience (QE) will be satisfied by MAT 1110 or MAT 1120. One of the Natural Scientific Inquiry (NSI) required courses and the Natural Scientific Inquiry with Lab (NSIL) requirement will be satisfied by the combination of SCE 2100 and SCE 2105. The remaining General Education requirements will be satisfied by required coursework for a maximum of 28 credits.
When electing the 5-9 and 7-12 grade bands: Some of the courses cited in the grade bands may satisfy the University General Education Requirements (35 hours maximum).
Special Education
Students pursuing a bachelor's degree in Special Education must complete one of the following concentrations: Autism Spectrum Disorder or Cognitive Impairment.
Autism Spectrum Disorder K-12
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Block A | ||
| SED 5000 | History, Philosophy, and Ethics of Teaching Students with Disabilities | 2 |
| TED 2220 | Foundations III: Foundations of Inclusive Schooling | 2 |
| SED 5075 | Consultation and Collaboration for Inclusive Teaching | 2 |
| SED 5080 | Supportive Environments, Engaged Learning | 2 |
| SED 5090 | Transitions for Students with Disabilities | 2 |
| Block B | ||
| SED 6021 | Introduction to Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| SED 6030 | Teaching Students with Cognitive, Behavior, and Communication Differences | 3 |
| SED 6050 | Teaching Students with Communication Differences | 3 |
| Block C | ||
| SED 6060 | Teaching Students with Movement and Sensory Differences | 2 |
| SED 6070 | Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Autism | 3 |
| Block D | ||
| TED 5790 | Directed Teaching and Conference for Special Groups | 6 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Cognitive Impairment K-12
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Block A | ||
| SED 5000 | History, Philosophy, and Ethics of Teaching Students with Disabilities | 2 |
| TED 2220 | Foundations III: Foundations of Inclusive Schooling | 2 |
| SED 5075 | Consultation and Collaboration for Inclusive Teaching | 2 |
| SED 5080 | Supportive Environments, Engaged Learning | 2 |
| SED 5090 | Transitions for Students with Disabilities | 2 |
| Block B | ||
| SED 5110 | Introduction to Teaching Students with Moderate/Significant Support Needs | 3 |
| SED 5115 | Observation and Assessment of Students with Moderate/Significant Support Needs | 3 |
| SED 5121 | Language Development and Instruction for Students with Moderate/Significant Support Needs | 2 |
| Block C | ||
| SED 5125 | Teaching Students with Significant/Multiple Support Needs | 3 |
| SED 5130 | Teaching Students with Moderate Support Needs | 3 |
| Block D | ||
| TED 5790 | Directed Teaching and Conference for Special Groups | 6 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
B-K Grade Band
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations (8 credits) | ||
| TED 2020 | Technology Integration in Teaching | 3 |
| TED 2200 & TED 2205 | Foundations I: Foundations of Education in Urban Spaces and Foundations Field Experience | 3 |
| TED 2210 | Foundations II: Intersections of Culture, Language, Identity & Schooling | 2 |
| Early Childhood Education Foundations | ||
| ELE 2000 | Child Development: Birth-Age 8 | 3 |
| ELE 2015 | Play: How Young Children Learn | 3 |
| ELE 2020 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education and Clinical Experience | 3 |
| ELE 2025 | Social Emotional Learning: Birth-Age 8 | 3 |
| Intentional and Inclusive Teaching | ||
| ELE 2035 | Inclusion, Equity, and Justice in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ELE 2050 & ELE 2055 | Intentional and Inclusive Teaching: Infants and Toddlers and Intentional and Inclusive Teaching: Infants and Toddlers Clinical Experience | 4 |
| Content Areas | ||
| SCE 2100 & SCE 2105 | Integrated Science Content PK-6 and Integrated Science Lab PK-6 | 4 |
| MAT 1110 | Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I | 3 |
| ELE 6200 | Diverse Children’s Literature for Elementary Teachers | 3 |
| ELE 6205 | Literacy Foundations | 3 |
| ELE 6210 & ELE 6211 | Literacy Methods I (PK-3) and Literacy Clinical Experience (PK-3) | 4 |
| ELE 6040 & ELE 6045 | Intentional and Inclusive Teaching: The Content Areas (PK-K) and Intentional and Inclusive Teaching: ECE Clinical Preschool | 4 |
| ELE 2075 | The Creative Arts in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| Curriculum and Assessment | ||
| ELE 6100 | Planning and Implementing Preschool Curriculum | 3 |
| ELE 6110 | Planning Infant and Toddler Curriculum | 3 |
| ELE 6030 | Assessment of Young Children | 3 |
| Leadership and Partnership | ||
| ELE 2010 | Equitable Partnerships with Families and Communities | 3 |
| ELE 6130 | Early Childhood Advocacy, Leadership, and Administration | 3 |
| Student Teaching | ||
| TED 5792 | Directed Teaching and Conference for Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education | 6 |
| TED 5791 & ELE 6080 | Directed Teaching and Conference for Pre-Kindergarten and Intentional and Inclusive Teaching: The Preschool Learning Environment | 9 |
| Total Credits | 81 | |
- ^
When adding the PK-3 Grade Band to the B-K Grade Band, the following exceptions apply:
1. ELE 6041 is not required.
2. TED 5780 is not required.
PreK-3 Grade Band
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Block 1 | ||
| TED 2020 | Technology Integration in Teaching | 3 |
| TED 2200 & TED 2205 | Foundations I: Foundations of Education in Urban Spaces and Foundations Field Experience | 3 |
| TED 2210 | Foundations II: Intersections of Culture, Language, Identity & Schooling | 2 |
| TED 2220 | Foundations III: Foundations of Inclusive Schooling | 2 |
| TED 5100 | Professional Engagement, Advocacy, and Instructional Planning | 2 |
| Select one of the following (if adding the B-K grade band, select ELE 2000): | 3 | |
| Educational Psychology | ||
| Child Development: Birth-Age 8 | ||
| MAT 1110 | Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I | 3 |
| MAT 1120 | Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II | 3 |
| SCE 2100 & SCE 2105 | Integrated Science Content PK-6 and Integrated Science Lab PK-6 | 4 |
| Block 2 | ||
| ELE 2020 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education and Clinical Experience | 3 |
| ELE 6205 | Literacy Foundations | 3 |
| ELE 6200 | Diverse Children’s Literature for Elementary Teachers | 3 |
| ELE 6210 & ELE 6211 | Literacy Methods I (PK-3) and Literacy Clinical Experience (PK-3) | 4 |
| ELE 6225 | Literacy Methods II (PK-6) | 3 |
| ELE 6350 | Mathematics Foundations (PK-6) | 3 |
| ELE 6370 & ELE 6375 | Mathematics Methods (PK-3) and Mathematics Clinical Experience (PK-3) | 4 |
| ELE 6550 | Science Curriculum and Methods (PK-6) | 2 |
| SSE 5720 | Social Studies Disciplines for Elementary Teachers I | 3 |
| SSE 6720 | Social Studies Disciplines for Elementary Teachers II | 3 |
| ELE 6600 | Social Studies Methods (PK-6) | 3 |
| ELE 6041 | Early Childhood Curriculum for PK-3 Teachers | 3 |
| ELE 6800 & ELE 6805 | Methods for Integrated Curriculum and Pedagogy (PK-6) and Clinical Experience for Integrated Curriculum and Pedagogy (PK-6) | 5 |
| Block 3 | ||
| TED 5780 | Student Teaching & Seminar | 12 |
| Total Credits | 79 | |
3-6 Grade Band
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Block 1 | ||
| TED 2020 | Technology Integration in Teaching | 3 |
| TED 2200 & TED 2205 | Foundations I: Foundations of Education in Urban Spaces and Foundations Field Experience | 3 |
| TED 2210 | Foundations II: Intersections of Culture, Language, Identity & Schooling | 2 |
| TED 2220 | Foundations III: Foundations of Inclusive Schooling | 2 |
| TED 5100 | Professional Engagement, Advocacy, and Instructional Planning | 2 |
| EDP 3310 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| MAT 1110 | Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I | 3 |
| MAT 1120 | Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II | 3 |
| SCE 2100 & SCE 2105 | Integrated Science Content PK-6 and Integrated Science Lab PK-6 | 4 |
| ELE 6205 | Literacy Foundations | 3 |
| Block 2 | ||
| ELE 6200 | Diverse Children’s Literature for Elementary Teachers | 3 |
| ELE 6215 & ELE 6216 | Literacy Methods I (3-6) and Literacy Clinical Experience (3-6) | 4 |
| ELE 6225 | Literacy Methods II (PK-6) | 3 |
| ELE 6350 | Mathematics Foundations (PK-6) | 3 |
| ELE 6380 & ELE 6385 | Mathematics Methods (3-6) and Mathematics Clinical Experience (3-6) | 4 |
| SSE 5720 | Social Studies Disciplines for Elementary Teachers I | 3 |
| SSE 6720 | Social Studies Disciplines for Elementary Teachers II | 3 |
| ELE 6600 | Social Studies Methods (PK-6) | 3 |
| ELE 6500 | Science Curriculum and Methods (3-6) | 3 |
| ELE 6550 | Science Curriculum and Methods (PK-6) | 2 |
| ELE 6800 & ELE 6805 | Methods for Integrated Curriculum and Pedagogy (PK-6) and Clinical Experience for Integrated Curriculum and Pedagogy (PK-6) | 5 |
| Block 3 | ||
| TED 5780 | Student Teaching & Seminar | 12 |
| Total Credits | 76 | |
English Language Arts Grade Band 7-12
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Courses | ||
| TED 2020 | Technology Integration in Teaching | 3 |
| TED 2200 & TED 2205 | Foundations I: Foundations of Education in Urban Spaces and Foundations Field Experience | 3 |
| TED 2210 | Foundations II: Intersections of Culture, Language, Identity & Schooling | 2 |
| TED 2220 | Foundations III: Foundations of Inclusive Schooling | 2 |
| TED 5100 | Professional Engagement, Advocacy, and Instructional Planning | 2 |
| EDP 5480 | Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
| RLL 6121 | Teaching Literacies across the Content Areas | 3 |
| Content Courses | ||
| ENG 2200 | Shakespeare: Writing about Texts | 3 |
| ENG 2250 | British Literature: Writing about Texts | 3 |
| ENG 2350 | American Literature: Writing about Texts | 3 |
| ENG 2390 | Introduction to African-American Literature: Writing about Texts | 3 |
| ENG 2430 | Digital Literacies: Writing about Texts | 3 |
| ENG 2540 | Global Literatures: Writing about Texts | 3 |
| ENG 5720 | Linguistics and Education | 3 |
| ENG 5730 | English Grammar | 3 |
| Choose 1: | 3 | |
| Queer Literatures: Writing about Texts | ||
| Women Writers: Writing about Texts | ||
| Choose 1 of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Stories of Detroit: Writing about Texts | ||
| Geopolitics and Literature: Writing about Texts | ||
| Environmental Writing: Writing about Texts | ||
| Introduction to Visual Culture: Writing about Texts | ||
| Comics and Graphic Novels: Writing about Texts | ||
| Introduction to Film | ||
| Literature and Religion: Writing about Texts | ||
| Living Writers | ||
Or another 3 credit hour English course in consultation and with approval from advisor | ||
| Methods Courses | ||
| EED 5200 | Methods of Teaching English (7-12) | 3 |
| EED 6120 & EED 6125 | Teaching Composition Methods (7-12) and Teaching Composition Clinical (7-12) | 5 |
| EED 6210 | Language, Literacy, and Learning | 3 |
| EED 6310 | Young Adult Literature | 3 |
| EED 6330 & EED 6335 | Teaching Literature Methods (7-12) and Teaching Literature Clinical (7-12) | 5 |
| Final Clinical Experience | ||
| TED 5780 | Student Teaching & Seminar | 12 |
| Total Credits | 79 | |
Mathematics Education Grade Band 5-9
(An admissions moratorium is in effect for this concentration.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Courses | ||
| TED 2020 | Technology Integration in Teaching | 3 |
| TED 2200 & TED 2205 | Foundations I: Foundations of Education in Urban Spaces and Foundations Field Experience | 3 |
| TED 2210 | Foundations II: Intersections of Culture, Language, Identity & Schooling | 2 |
| TED 2220 | Foundations III: Foundations of Inclusive Schooling | 2 |
| TED 5100 | Professional Engagement, Advocacy, and Instructional Planning | 2 |
| EDP 5480 | Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
| RLL 6121 | Teaching Literacies across the Content Areas | 3 |
| Content Courses | ||
| Note: Placement based on prior coursework or testing is required before registering for MAT 2010. Additional courses may be needed before taking MAT 2010. | ||
| MAT 1800 | Elementary Functions | 4 |
| MAT 2010 | Calculus I | 4 |
| STA 1020 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| or STA 2210 | Probability and Statistics | |
| MAT 2860 | Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| MAE 5100 | Geometry for Middle School Teachers | 3 |
| or MAT 5180 | Geometry for Middle School Teachers | |
| MAE 5130 | Problem Solving for Middle School Teachers (5-9) | 3 |
| MAE 5140 | Proportional and Algebraic Reasoning for Middle Grades Teachers (5-9) | 3 |
| MAT 5420 | Algebra I | 4 |
| Method Courses | ||
| MAE 6075 | Historical and Social Contexts of Teaching Mathematics (5-12) | 3 |
| MAE 5150 & MAE 5155 | Methods and Materials of Instruction: Secondary School Mathematics and Secondary Mathematics Clinical (7-12) | 5 |
| MAE 6050 & MAE 6055 | Teaching Mathematics Methods in the Middle Grades and Teaching Mathematics in the Middle Grades Clinical (5-9) | 5 |
| Final Clinical Experience | ||
| TED 5780 | Student Teaching & Seminar | 12 |
| Total Credits | 70 | |
Mathematics Education Grade Band 7-12
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Courses | ||
| TED 2020 | Technology Integration in Teaching | 3 |
| TED 2200 & TED 2205 | Foundations I: Foundations of Education in Urban Spaces and Foundations Field Experience | 3 |
| TED 2210 | Foundations II: Intersections of Culture, Language, Identity & Schooling | 2 |
| TED 2220 | Foundations III: Foundations of Inclusive Schooling | 2 |
| TED 5100 | Professional Engagement, Advocacy, and Instructional Planning | 2 |
| EDP 5480 | Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
| RLL 6121 | Teaching Literacies across the Content Areas | 3 |
| Content Courses | ||
| Note: Placement based on prior coursework or testing is required before registering for MAT 2010. Additional courses may be needed before taking MAT 2010. | ||
| MAT 2010 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MAT 2020 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MAT 2030 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MAT 2250 | Elementary Linear Algebra | 3 |
| STA 2210 | Probability and Statistics | 4 |
| MAT 2860 | Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| MAT 6140 | Geometry: An Axiomatic Approach | 3 |
| MAT 5420 | Algebra I | 4 |
| Methods Courses | ||
| MAE 6075 | Historical and Social Contexts of Teaching Mathematics (5-12) | 3 |
| MAE 5150 & MAE 5155 | Methods and Materials of Instruction: Secondary School Mathematics and Secondary Mathematics Clinical (7-12) | 5 |
| MAE 6050 & MAE 6055 | Teaching Mathematics Methods in the Middle Grades and Teaching Mathematics in the Middle Grades Clinical (5-9) | 5 |
| Final Clinical Experience | ||
| TED 5780 | Student Teaching & Seminar | 12 |
| Total Credits | 72 | |
Adapted Physical Education K-12 Concentration (Optional)
Students may elect to complete the Adapted Physical Education K-12 concentration in addition to the requirements listed above.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Courses that are included in Cognitive Impairment or in either of the grade bands listed above: | ||
| SED 5000 | History, Philosophy, and Ethics of Teaching Students with Disabilities | 2 |
| SED 5080 | Supportive Environments, Engaged Learning | 2 |
| TED 2220 | Foundations III: Foundations of Inclusive Schooling | 2 |
| Additional courses required for the Adapted PE Concentration: | ||
| HPE 6400 | Physical Activity in Pediatric Disabilities (Additional courses required for the Adapted PE Concentration:) | 3 |
| HPE 6410 | Teaching Adapted Physical Activity and Sport | 3 |
| HPE 6420 | Teaching Aquatics to Special Populations | 3 |
| HPE 6430 | Physical Activity Assessment in Special Populations | 3 |
| HPE 6440 | Leadership Training and Practicum in Adapted Physical Education | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |