Professional Studies in Education - CSU, Chico
Undergraduate Minor in Special Education
- About the Special Education Minor
- Relationship of Special Education Minor to Teaching
- Objectives of the Special Education Minor
- Required Courses for the Special Education Minor
- Minor Advising Contact Information
About the Special Education Minor
The special education minor facilitates early integration of experience and concept attainment critical to the preparation of future teachers and other professionals interested in working with special populations, whether or not they later pursue specialist careers. Students will acquire background knowledge regarding special populations, including specific learning disabilities, mild/moderate mental retardation, other health impairments, serious emotional disturbance, autism, moderate/severe mental retardation, deaf-blindness, and/or multiple disabilities. In today's society, including schools, students with these special needs are commonly integrated into general education and community settings in full-inclusion, integration, vocational transition, least restrictive environment, and cross-cultural models.
Relationship of Special Education Minor to Teaching
The special education minor strengthens CSU, Chico's preparation of special educators and others who will potentially work with special populations in the private or public sector. Public and private schools nationwide, and particularly in California, face a critical shortage of special education teachers. Access to a minor in special education will encourage interested specialist candidates and allow CSU, Chico to remain a leader in the preparation of special educators and other professionals.
Objectives of the Special Education Minor
- To facilitate undergraduate access of any major to fundamental knowledge and experience important to working with special populations
- To strengthen the preparation of undergraduates interested in special populations
- To develop an understanding of the theories and the legal premises upon which special education practices are based
- To assist in developing the skills necessary for collaborative and interdisciplinary professional functioning
The Minor in Special Education is valuable to students who want to become
- Public agency professionals
- Classroom teachers in general & special educational settings
- School administrators and other school personnel
- Recreation directors and therapists
- Medical professionals
- Supervision and management professionals
- Human resources professionals
This minor provides students of all majors with skills for
- Understanding learning needs of individuals with exceptionalities
- Collaborating and communicating across disciplines and job settings
- Entering a teacher preparation program
Required Courses for the Special Education Minor
The Minor in Special Education requires 22 units of course work. The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this minor. Advising is required for this minor.
8 courses required: (19 Units) |
|
| PSYC 355 | Survey of Child & Adolescent Psychology - 3 units |
| EDTE 302 | Access & Equity in Education - 3 units |
| SPED 343* | Overview of Special Education - 3 units |
| SPED 569* | Field Experience in General & Special Education - 3 units |
| SPED 561 | Curriculum & Instruction for Inclusive Settings - 3 units |
| SPED 563 | Collaboration in Education & the Helping Professions - 2 units |
| SPED 564 | Management of Inclusive Learning Environments - 2 units |
| * must be taken first | |
Plus one 3-unit elective to be jointly approved by the minor advisor and the major area advisor. |
|
| Examples Include: | |
| CHLD 252 | Child Development |
| HCSV 363 | Child Health |
| KINE 513 | Programming for Ind. w/ Physical & Neurological Disabilities |
| KINE 514 | Programming for Ind. w/ Mental, Emotional, & Learning Disabilities |
| KINE 515 | Social Psychology of Adapted PE |
| PSYC 353 | Learning in the Young Child |
| PSYC 362 | Psychology of Learning |
| RECR 260 | Intro. to Therapeutic Recreation & Inclusive Recreation |
| RECR 464 | Therapeutic Recreation Techniques |
| RECR 466 | Program Mgmt. for Therapeutic Recreation |
| RECR 468 | Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation |
| SOCI 363 | Sociology of Human Stress |
| SOCI 360 | Self and Society |
Minor Advising Contact Information
Faculty advisors are available by appointment and on a drop-in basis. Call the numbers listed below to obtain office hours for the following advisors:
Cheri Taylor
Special Education Advisor
Office: Tehama 409
Phone: 530-898-6887
Teresa Davis
Minor Coordinator
Office: Tehama 407
Phone: 530-898-6852
For more information you may also contact the Liberal
Studies Office:
Office: Holt 101
Phone: 530-898-5802
The FOCUS on Teaching Credential Application booklet downloadable online in PDF format or available at the Education Services Center located in Holt 101 or at 530-898-6391.
