Special education coursework taken at Belmont is paired with strategically identified field and clinical placements that allow undergraduate students to observe the best practices in action, work alongside highly-effective mentor teachers in the field, and implement the methods and strategies learned about in coursework.
We hope that you will join us on this journey.
Education Core Courses: 12 Hours
- EDU 2100 Foundations of Education
- EDU 2110 Educational Psychology - 3 Hours
- EDU 2221 Child Development, Education, and Guidance - 3 Hours
- EDU 3800 Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners in the Classroom - 3 Hours
3 Hours
This course provides an overview of the historical and sociological development of the American education systems and instructs candidates to use advocacy for children, families, and the profession to uncover unconscious bias and to critically analyze the myths that exist about American education. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.)
3 Hours
A study is made of the processes of education, including such topics as learning, motivation, human growth and development, individual differences, evaluation of achievement, personality, and techniques of studying education. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.)
3 Hours
This course emphasizes the social, emotional, physical and intellectual development of children; the responsibilities of parents; and guidance of children through age eight. Field experience is required. This course is required for early childhood endorsement. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.)
3 Hours
Overview of exceptionalities; introduction to pedagogical, curricular, and social considerations involved in educating diverse learners in the classroom. The course has a practicum component. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.)
Educational Professional Coursework: 36 Hours
- EDU 3660 Instructional Practices in Special Education
- EDU 1160 The Practice of Education Seminar I
- EDU 2160 The Practice of Education Seminar II
- EDU 3735 Specially Designed Instruction in Literacy
- EDU 3745 Specially Designed Instruction in Mathematics
- EDU 3160 The Practice of Education Seminar III
- EDU 3530 Assessment for Decision Making
- EDU 4765 Behavioral Interventions for Data-Based Decision Making
- EDU 4150 Fundamentals of Instructional and Assistive Technology
- EDU 3630 Communication and Collaboration in Special Education
- EDU 3670 Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support
- EDU 4416 Student Teaching SPED Interventionist, K-8
- EDU 4110 Reflective Teaching
3 Hours
This method’s course focuses on learning principles and high-leverage instructional practices corresponding to the academic success of students with mild/moderate disabilities in the least restrictive environment. Course content addresses Universal Design, explicit instruction, differentiation, accommodations and other best practices to support access to the general curriculum in a variety of educational settings. This course also contains approximately 20 hours of field experience.
1 Hours
A discussion of topics related to the practice of teaching. This seminar will prepare future teachers to complete work necessary to complete the Gateway 2 Interview in the School of Education to earn teacher certification in the state of Tennessee.
1 Hours
A discussion of topics related to the practice of teaching. This seminar will prepare future teachers to complete work necessary to complete the Gateway 3 Interview in the School of Education to earn teacher certification in the state of Tennessee.
3 Hours
Prerequisites: EDU 3660 and EDU 3670
This course prepares teacher candidates to improve the literacy achievement of students with and at-risk for reading difficulties or disabilities. Content focuses on theory, all components of effective reading instruction, and evidenced-based intervention within a tiered, data-based decision-making framework. This course also contains approximately 20 hours of field experience.
3 Hours
Prerequisites: EDU 3660 and EDU 3670
This course focuses on the application and assessment of evidenced-based practices for the instruction of diverse students with mild/moderate disabilities in the area of mathematics. Candidates will advance their professional knowledge, skills, and practice for effectively teaching mathematics within a response to intervention model that targets specific math difficulties.This course also contains approximately 20 hours of field experience.
1 Hours
A discussion of topics related to the practice of teaching. This last seminar will prepare future teachers to complete final requirements for earning teacher certification in the state of Tennessee and in preparation for the School of Education’s Gateway 4 Interview.
3 Hours
Collection and use of educational data to assess and teach students with diverse learning needs. Educational planning, material adaptation, and curriculum development will also be addressed.
3 Hours
Prerequisites: EDU 3660 and EDU 3670
This course prepares practitioners in special education or general education settings to improve outcomes for students with high rates of challenging behavior within multi-tiered systems of support. Course content addresses legal requirements, behavioral theory, critical features of intensive interventions, data collection, and ethical data-based decision-making aligned with functional behavior assessment and behavior intervention plans. This course also contains approximately 20 hours of field experience.
3 Hours
Prerequisites: EDU 3630 and EDU 3800
This course addresses the use of adaptive/assistive technologies to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Content focuses on legal requirements and the integration of a variety of low and high-tech tools and supports for teaching and learning. Teacher candidates will learn to apply a process of assessment-based decision making for the selection of appropriate technologies to support improved outcomes for students with mild/moderate disabilities. This course also contains approximately 20 hours of field experience.
3 Hours
This course provides content and practice in the skills required to effectively engage as a professional member of a multidisciplinary educational team. Course topics address theory, research, and high leverage practices to support culturally-appropriate family/professional partnerships to maximize beneficial outcomes for students with disabilities. This course also focuses on ethics, equity, and family and professional rights and responsibilities grounded in family-centered, culturally responsive, advocacy, and strength-based perspectives. This course also contains approximately 20 hours of field experience.
3 Hours
This course focuses on the application of behavioral and social emotional supports for students with disabilities. Content covers behavioral theories, research, and high-leverage strategies within a culturally-responsive, multi-tiered systems framework aligned with trauma-informed and restorative practices.This course also contains approximately 20 hours of field experience.
6 Hours
Prerequisites: EDU 3660, EDU 3670, EDU 3800, and EDU 3630. Corequisites: EDU 4110
This practicum course gives the teacher candidate experience in two special education classroom settings with one of the placements serving students with diverse backgrounds. Teacher candidates will have the opportunity to observe and use appropriate classroom instructional methods and procedures under the direct supervision of an experienced mentor teacher. $325.00 course fee.
3 Hours
Corequisites: Relevant Student Teaching section.
This reflective or inquiry-oriented course looks at the complicated activity of teaching and the conceptual schemata teachers must acquire. Emphasis is placed on developing teaching habits that are consciously informed actions. The course will also require candidates to complete an Action research project to demonstrate their impact on student learning.