Introductory course designed for regular classroom teachers with information about various disabilities and the gifted/talented. Emphasis on identifying, accommodating and adapting for students in inclusive settings.

The special education teacher candidate will be provided opportunities to observe, analyze and reflect on issues including diversity, professionalism, best practices in teaching, rights and responsibilities, and instruction in a K-12 special education setting. EDSE 507 is a self-paced, module-based course, delivered through Blackboard. Assignments for EDSE 507 are described within eight modules. In addition to the eight modules, observations (70 hours) are required.

A variety of workshops on special topics within the discipline. Goals and objectives will emphasize the acquisition of general knowledge and skills in the discipline. Repeatable, under different subtitles.

Provides effective strategies to educate all students, particularly at secondary level. Overviews special education process and inclusive education models; characteristics, transitional needs, and culturally/linguistically different exceptional learners and their families.

This course is designed to provide the historical and legal foundations of special education and the educational implications for educators of students with exceptionalities.

This course provides an overview of learning environments, collaboration and consultation among teachers, related services professionals, and families, and emphasizes culturally appropriate communication strategies.

Students gain knowledge and skills for selecting, adapting, and using assessments, developing Individualized Education Programs, and planning instruction within a continuum of service delivery models.

Update skills and knowledge of professionals in the discipline. Goals and objectives will be specifically directed at individual professional enhancement rather than the acquisition of general discipline knowledge or methodologies. S/U or letter graded. Repeatable, under different subtitles.

The special education teacher candidate will be provided opportunities to observe, analyze and compare/contrast special education programming in the United States to that of the teacher candidate’s home country. The teacher candidate will reflect on issues including diversity, professionalism, best practices in teaching, students’ rights and responsibilities, and instruction as related to K-12 special education settings. EDSE 517 is a self-paced, module-based course. Classroom observation hours are required. Individual assistance is provided as needed.

Prerequisites: Regular admission into one of the Special Education Severe Needs Programs, or completion of one of the programs. Introduce instructional and assessment issues related to the education of linguistically diverse students with low incidence disabilities.

The course promotes in-depth reflection on collaboration with families of young children using a case method of instruction. Family systems perspectives and family centered approaches are emphasized.

The course explores theory and application of assessment methods in Early Childhood Special Education. Cross-disciplinary approaches, matching assessment procedures to the intended purpose, and linked assessment/planning systems are emphasized.

The course will explore typical and atypical patters of early child development; biological, cultural, and environmental influences; and implications for appropriate practice in Early Childhood Special Education.

The course explores recommended practices for inclusive education of young children with developmental concerns. Developmentally appropriate, individally responsive, cross-disciplinary, and evidence-based practices are emphasized across developmental domains.

The course explores efficacy research, state and federal policies and systems, nationally recommended practices, and advocacy processes that support high quality services in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE).

Prerequisites: EDFE 130 and passed PLACE/PRAXIS text. In their practicum experience, students build on knowledge and competencies gained throughout their master's program to synthesize their knowledge and apply recommended practices in ECSE settings.

Prerequisites: Pass ECSE PLACE or PRAXIS II, Pass Elem Content PLACE or PRAXIS II or documented Elem Ed License, Completion of PTEP courses (if any), Instructor consent. Students build on knowledge and competencies gained throughout their master’s program to synthesize their knowledge and apply recommended practices in EC/ECSE settings for children birth to 3 years of age.  Repeatable, maximum of six hours.

Prerequisites: Pass ECSE PLACE or PRAXIS II, Pass Elem Content PLACE or PRAXIS II or documented Elem Ed License, Completion of PTEP courses (if any), Instructor consent. Students build on knowledge and competencies gained throughout their master’s program to synthesize their knowledge and apply recommended practices in EC/ECSE settings for children 3-5 years of age. Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits.

Prerequisites: Pass ECSE PLACE or PRAXIS II, Pass Elem Content PLACE or PRAXIS II or documented Elem Ed License, Completion of PTEP courses (if any), Instructor consent. Students build on knowledge and competencies gained throughout their master’s program to synthesize their knowledge and apply recommended practices in EC/ECSE settings for children 5-8 years of age. Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits.

Required laboratory arranged. Gain ability to understand the use of adapted materials and techniques in teaching independent living to individuals with visual disabilities. Emphasis given to recreational areas. Repeatable, maximum of 2 credits.

Historical perspectives and current educational services for the student with visual impairment and deaf-blindness across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on growth and development and psychosocial effects of visual impairment.

Prerequisite: EDFE 120 or EDFE 125  or certification at undergraduate level required. Discuss causes, characteristics, educational implications and instructional methods for student with visual/multiple disabilities. Learn effective teaming and collaborative planning strategies.

Study literary and nemeth codes, basic abacus operations. Techniques of teaching literacy skills to students with visual disabilities are included.

Philosophy and history of cane instruction, dog guides and other methods of travel. Techniques in developing orientation skills and pre- cane mobility instruction. Gross motor and concept development are presented.

Prerequisite: EDFE 120 or EDFE 125  and EDSE 546 or certification at undergraduate level required. Consent of instructor. Required laboratory arranged. A study of methods involved in general navigation and environmental awareness relating to severe vision needs. Travel techniques are gained while working under simulated conditions. Repeatable, maximum of four credits.

Anatomy and physiology of the eye, medical and educational assessment of low vision and functional implications of various eye conditions. Techniques to develop use of functional vision.

Prerequisites: EDSE 541 and EDSE 548. Assessment procedures related to learners with visual impairments. Determination of learning needs and appropriate learning media. Relationship of assessment, IEP development and placement.

This course is designed to provide the historical, legal, and cultural foundations of deaf education and the educational implications for the teacher and student who is deaf or hard of hearing.

This course addresses how to provide curriculum access and effectively teach skills in literacy, math, and general education content areas for students with exceptionalities. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based practices for targeted and embedded instruction of discrete skills in reading and math, and evidence-based strategies for adapting lesson plan formats and delivery modes to assure content access and student progress.

Prerequisites: EDFE 125 and EDSE 512 required. Students develop assessment skills related to students with disabilities focusing on principles, purposes, and the practice of assessment tools, including formal and informal measures.

Prerequisites: EDFE 125. This course is designed to provide special educators with researched-based assessment and intervention strategies for working with individuals who have behavioral needs.

Enhances student’s skills to read integratively special education laws and ensuing litigation. Readings will include public laws, court transcripts and a selected case synopsis(es) pertaining to a particular exceptionality.

Prerequisites: EDFE 125. This course provides scientifically based literacy interventions for learners with exceptional needs including theoretical models related to interventions addressing the five reading components (i.e., phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency).

Prerequisites: EDFE 125. This course prepares teachers to teach mathematics and content areas to students with disabilities. Scientifically research-based and validated methods will be emphasized for effective instruction, technology use, and collaborative support.

Prerequisites: EDFE 125. This course addresses planning, managing, and collaboratively delivering educational plans and interventions for students with severe disabilities. It addresses academic, communication, behavioral, medical, and unique individual needs, K-12.

Prerequisites: EDFE 125. This course includes an overview of transition services, academic strategies, community-based instruction, and contextual learning in a standards-based framework. Student self-determination and interagency coordination is included.

Individualized investigation under the direct supervision of a faculty member. (Minimum of 37.5 clock hours required per credit hour.) Repeatable, maximum concurrent enrollment is two times.

This course provides strategies for assessing and planning for instruction in communication, assistive technology, sensory needs and social skills for students on the autism spectrum including service delivery options, developing and implementing communication skills using evidence-based practices settings.

Course content focuses on applied behavior analysis, target behaviors, functional behavior assessment and analysis procedures, recording behavior, interpreting and creating graphic displays, behavioral interventions, reinforcement schedules, self-management, and generalization and maintenance of behavioral change.

This course will focus on evaluating current instructional and behavioral interventions for children who are on the autism spectrum. Content will also be designed to provide learners with thorough background knowledge about interventions that are "effective" and "ineffective" as evidenced by their outcome data.

Prerequisites: EDFE 120 or EDFE 125 and EDSE 541, EDSE 548. Curriculum development, adaptations, and teaching methodology for individuals with visual impairments. Modification of general and functional curricular areas. Emphasis on methods of teaching skills and the core curriculum.

Prerequisites: Enrollment prior to or concurrent with EDSE 644, EDFE 120 or EDFE 125. Role and responsibilities of the teacher of students with visual impairments as an educational team member, professionalism, ethics, consultation and collaborative partnerships, and social skill development. Full PTEP Admittance.

Prerequisites: EDFE 120 or EDFE 125 and EDFE 130 and EDSE 541, EDSE 543, EDSE 546, EDSE 548, EDSE 549, EDSE 640, EDSE 645 or certification at undergraduate level required. Consent of instructor. Supervised teaching experience with students with visual disabilities, K-12, planning and implementing lessons, preparing materials, participating in staffings, IEP/ IFSP development and parent conferences. Repeatable, maximum of 12 credits.

Prerequisites: EDSE 543 or proof of mastery from an approved examination or other demonstration of basic literary braille skills. Instruction in Nemeth Code (braille math code). Introduction to advanced braille codes, formats and techniques for teaching skills in each code including music, foreign language, chemistry, and computer braille.

Prerequisites: EDSE 546. Consent of instructor required or certification at undergraduate level required. Weekly seminar explores methods and strategies for teaching independent travel techniques to students with visual and other disabilities. Student provides individualized instruction to visually impaired person with faculty supervision.

Prerequisites: EDFE 120 or EDFE 125 or certification at undergraduate level required. Orientation and Mobility Endorsement students only. Consent of major advisor required. Supervised teaching experience with both blind and low vision individuals in orientation and mobility. Observation of varied programs; e.g., resource room itinerant plan, residential school and rehabilitation settings. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: EDFE 120 or EDFE 125 and EDSE 550. Integration of theoretical and practical considerations involved in collaborating with families, service providers, and agencies.

Develop the knowledge and skills to assess and to teach auditory skill development to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Field experience required.

Develop knowledge and skills to assess and to teach spoken language to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Field experience required.

Develop knowledge and skills to assess and facilitate the development of language skills of individuals who aredeaf or hard of hearing. Field experience required.

Develop knowledge and skills to assess and facilitate the development of literacy in individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Field experience required.

Develop the knowledge and skills to assess and to teach academic content to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Field experience required.

Individual observation and supervised practice in the education of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Repeatable, maximum of 12 credits.

This course is designed for school personnel who are impacted by special education law. The course focuses on federal and state special education statutes, regulations, and case law.

Foundational grounding for prospective teacher leaders to function as highly facilitative special educators who demonstrate leadership necessary to effectively interact with diverse populations including students, teachers, administrators, and parents.

The role of inquiry in identifying promising practices is examined. Action research is highlighted, culminating in a work sample in which scientifically based interventions are designed, assessed, and described.

Provides a comprehensive perspective of assessment development, implementation, interpretation, and implications of results to inform educational practices including the practice of monitoring progress and collaborating with individuals, families and professionals.

Designed to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to supervise, coach, assess, and model a continuum of behavior support for teachers, paraprofessionals and other educators in the school, home, and community.

This course includes in-depth investigation into the provision of transition services and secondary services. Topics include transition-focused standards-based IEP development, self-determination, interagency coordination, career educational strategies, and content enhancement routines.

This course provides a historical perspective and an overview of assessment, planning and instructional strategies for working with students on the autism spectrum as well as students with significant support needs in K-12 settings.

This course critically analyzes issues of equity through a culturally responsive lens as it applies to assessment, interventions, and education of all students including those with diverse backgrounds.

Designed to review problems and strategic opportunities in the administration and supervision of special education programs and services. Emphases include leadership and management, organizational planning and change, and strategic thinking.

Prepares individuals to conduct program/service evaluations, organize data for decision-making purposes, understand resource utilization, develop collaborative partnerships, and integrate systems of accountability into other administrative functions.

The purpose of this course is to address the foundational underpinnings of gifted and talented education, including the history of the field; pertinent theories and research in the area of intelligence, creativity, and human development; knowledge of public policy; current brain research; and how these concepts can be applied in educational settings.

The knowledge base of definitions, characteristics, traits and needs of diverse groups of learners with gifts and talents will be examined. Emphasis is placed on identification, assessment and appropriate placements.

Prerequisites: EDSE 682 and EDSE 683. The content of this course includes procedures in the assessment of students for the purpose of selecting appropriate and relevant educational strategies, and identifying students for services and programs.

This course focuses on development of curriculum and implementation of teaching practices centered on discipline-based knowledge, learning styles, cultural variation, depth and complexity of content, and provisions for independent investigation.

This course is designed for learners to develop a knowledge base of the affective, social and cognitive development and needs of the various types of gifted students.

Prerequisite: EDSE 683. This course addresses the basic program models, strategies and services necessary for developing appropriate education for the gifted. Real-life scenarios are basic in determining appropriate strategies and services.

Topics include communication, consultation and collaboration for the implementation of education for the gifted and talented. Teachers are a main source of leadership for school, district and state levels.

The focus of this course is the examination of theories of creativity, research in creativity and the teaching of creative thinking skills in the context of gifted education programming.

Prerequisite: EDSE 682, EDSE 683, EDSE 685. This capstone seminar is designed for learners to synthesize knowledge and skills regarding cognitive needs of students who are gifted and talented. Emphasis is on enrichment/acceleration, inquiry, seminars, in depth studies.

Prerequisites: EDSE 683, EDSE 685, EDSE 687 and EDFE 130. Emphasize actual teaching and facilitation of learners who are gifted, talented, creative in actual supervised teaching experiences. Repeatable, maximum of 12 credits.

Prerequisites: EDFE 125. This course includes an overview of transition services, academic strategies, community-based instruction, and contextual learning in a standards-based framework. Student self-determination and interagency coordination is included.

Prerequisites: Course is available to graduate students enrolled in the Intervention Specialist graduate degree program, and other graduate students as approved individually by their University program advisor. Supervised program of orientation, observation, and participation in an assigned placement to develop instructional coaching roles and responsibilities. 45 contact hours of supervised professional coaching and related experiences in a local school district or agency setting for each semester hour completed. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.

Instructor consent. Supervised program of orientation, observation, and participation designed to provide linkages between theory and practice in leadership and management of special education. Director of Special Education endorsement (post-Masters) only. Repeatable, maximum of 12 credits.

Develop knowledge, skills, concepts, and attitudes necessary for special and gifted educators to effectively interact with diverse populations. Emphasis on development of individual goals/specific activities within prograwm. S/U graded.

Doctoral level course that includes the analysis and interpretation of federal, state, and case law relevant to teaching students with exceptionalities in a variety of educational settings.

Investigation of the issues and trends in education of infants, children and youth with hearing and/or visual disabilities: focus on research, curriculum, instructional strategies and other administrative concerns.

In-depth study of special education's enrichment by conceptions of the nature of exceptionality, learning and instruction that have and are emerging from biological and sociocultural constructivism, phenomenology and holism.

Investigates current issues and trends in special and gifted education,with specific focus on policy, research, curriculum, and instructional strategies.

Explores purposes, protocols, and processes for professional writing; critical review of student writing by students and faculty. Focus on research reports, practitioner articles, research.

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and submission of an externship proposal 1 semester prior to enrollment. This course should be taken prior to submission of dissertation proposal. The externship requires 180 hours of supervised activities outside of UNC to expand the learner's knowledge base in a setting related to services for students with exceptionalities. Repeatable under different subtitles.

Examines research design and methods used in special and gifted education. Emphasis on developing skills necessary to understand the relationship between research strategies and problems in special and gifted education.

Gain knowledge and skills to prepare teachers of students with exceptionalities. Content includes course syllabi development, application of research-based practices tocourse development, and mentoring and evaluating personnel.

Develops grant writing skills essential for doctoral level personnel in special and gifted education, including identifying federal and state funding sources, panel reviews, and development of proposals, budgets, and evaluation.

Prerequisites: EDSE 702 and EDSE 732. Designed for third-year students, this course explores contemporary issues in exceptionality education and identifies strategies to address, ameliorate, and/or accommodate these issues within the greater context of education and society.

Explores dissertation research problems, theoretical frameworks, methodology, and data analysis procedures expected to develop an approved dissertation proposal. S/U graded. Repeatable, maximum of four credits.

Permission of major advisor. Required of all doctoral candidates. A student must earn 12 hours of credit for the dissertation as a partial fulfillment of requirements for any doctoral. S/U graded. Repeatable, no limitations.

To permit a graduate student to continue making progress in a degree program. S/U graded. Repeatable, no limitations.