University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Special Education Courses

Course Descriptions for Early Childhood/ Special Education Dual Certification Program 

Students with Special Needs:  Ed Psyc 1021
This provides an introduction to the field of special education for children and adolescents. It covers the history of special education and how the field has developed. Special needs that are covered include learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, speech and language disorders, sensory impairments, severe emotional disorders, neurological disorders, autism, physical disabilities, health impairments, traumatic brain injury, multiple disabilities, and giftedness. Topics include the characteristics of students with special needs, identification and assessment, making appropriate adaptations and accommodations, and other educational practices.

Methods and Mgt in SPLED:  SplEd 1030
This course builds on prior knowledge, preparing candidates to effectively design, implement, and manage the learning process for students with special needs. Particular attention is paid to assessments, curricular and program development, and evidence based classroom instruction.  Prerequisites: Ed Psy 1021; Ed Psy 1121

Applied Behavior Analysis: SplEd 1032
This course focuses on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to be applied in special needs classrooms. This course emphasizes acquisition, fluency, maintenance, and the generalization of skills while providing positive behavior supports for the development of students with social and emotional disabilities.

Instructional Technology for the Inclusive Classroom: SplEd 1043
This course prepares candidates to effectively implement instructional technologies for the inclusive classroom. The concept of technology is applied broadly, including assistive technologies to foster student independence, instructional technologies to enhance student learning, and the understanding of innovations (e.g.,, Universal Design, augmentative and alternative communication, Smart Boards, etc.) that support the learning experience for the inclusive classroom across the content areas.

English Language Learners: Ed Psyc 1026
This course is designed primarily for pre-service teachers, and familiarizes students with basic materials, resources, and strategies for making appropriate accommodations in the regular classroom setting for students whose primary language is not English. Prerequisites: PSY 0200 and EDPSY 0006.

Curriculum and Program Development – Low: SplEd 1033\
This course addresses curriculum development approaches for students with significant disabilities with an emphasis on age-appropriate functional education in school and community based programs. Students will apply a systematic approach to modification/adaptation planning for instruction and material use which includes person centered planning and general case study instruction. Topics include the development of assessments, and instruction for students with significant disabilities (e.g., personal management, social interaction, language communication, leisure, community, vocational, and functional academics, etc.)

Assessment and Instruction – High: SplEd 1031
This course is designed to provide knowledge of assessment procedures for designing curricula for students with specific learning disabilities in the content areas. There is a focus on the teaching of reading, written language, and mathematics. Course content entails in-depth analysis of eligibility for special education and ongoing curriculum based assessments to implement appropriate instructional accommodations and adaptations.

Instructional Methods – High: SplEd 1041
This course explores the methods and procedures for developing literacy, reading, and mathematics for students with high incidence disabilities. This course addresses instructional strategies to meet the unique learning needs of individual students within a class. Lesson planning, unit planning and I.E.P. implementation are key elements developed in this course with an emphasis on collaboration with other teaching and non-teaching staff members in appropriate service delivery settings.

Education of Students with Social/Emotional Disorders: SplEd 1042
Drawing on previously learned principles (e.g., ABA and positive behavior supports), this course addresses elements of effective classroom management that emphasize behavior reduction strategies. Candidates will acquire knowledge of curriculum content, teaching techniques, and instructional materials particularly for students with social/emotional, and/or behavioral disorders. In this course, candidates will implement a functional behavior assessment for developing a behavioral support plan in school and/ or employment settings.

Pre-requisite: Applied Behavior Analysis;  Co-requisite: Student Teaching

Differentiated Literacy Instruction: ECEd 1154
This course emphasizes differentiation in literacy instruction. Candidates will be introduced to learning theories, research, philosophies, and instructional practices related to developmental approaches to teaching reading and writing across content areas in early childhood education. Specifically, candidates will learn strategies for content area literacy development, how to assess their students’ literacy development, analyze assessments, and teach to learners’ strengths and needs for inclusion classrooms. Prerequisite: Admission to the upper-level program.

Autism Spectrum: SplEd 1040
This course addresses information on the characteristics and intervention approaches for students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Candidates will explore and analyze current research on the theories of causes, diagnoses, and treatments. Candidates will implement appropriate screening tools for diagnosis and evidence based interventions. Co-requisite: Student Teaching

Student Teaching Seminar: SplEd 1191
This internship places teacher interns in a school classroom for two full semesters.  It provides opportunities to observe, plan, conduct, and assess instruction in a school setting with professional backup from University supervisors and experienced master teachers. Inters will have experiences in both inclusive and special education classrooms.  This course is speaking enhanced.  Prerequisites: Admission to the upper level program.