Department of Counseling and Clinical Programs

The Department of Counseling and Clinical Programs offers an undergraduate program in mental retardation and graduate programs in counseling (community and school), reading, and special education (behavior disorders, learning disabilities, and mental retardation). An EdS program is available in reading and school counseling.

The undergraduate program in mental retardation educates future teachers and practitioners in the understanding of normal and abnormal growth and development in children, adolescents, and adults. This will enable them to design and implement procedures for the identification and instruction of students having intellectual disabilities in a non-threatening positive, supportive environment where sound principles of learning and behavior management are applied in age-appropriate, functional interventions.

The program in mental retardation emphasizes academic study and field experiences for students selecting a career of service among children experiencing developmental disabilities.

BSEd Mental Retardation

Expected Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of characteristics of the learner with disabilities
• Demonstrate knowledge and skill in the use and administration of assessment instruments and strategies
• Demonstrate competence in instructional strategies and techniques
• Demonstrate competence in classroom management
• Demonstrate competence in communication and consultation

Course Requirements

Areas A-E and Wellness Courses - Required Hours: 45

Area F - Courses Related to Major - Required Hours: 18

• EDUF 2215 The American Educational Experience
• EDUF 2216 Human Development, Motivation, and Learning
• ITDS 1146 Introduction to African and African American Culture
• PSYC 1101 General Psychology
• Select four semester hours from the following:
  
  • A content area such as Math or Science
  • An approved Early Childhood Area F course

Area G - Education Program Requirements - Required Hours: 20

• EDUF 4115 Classroom Management
• EDUF 4795 Student Teaching Seminar
• EDUT 3216 Technology for Inclusion
• SPED 3255 Learning and Behavior Characteristics of Children and Youth with Disabilities, Gifts, and Talents
• SPED 4255 Instructional Strategies for Teaching Children and Youth with Disabilities, Gifts, and Talents
• SPED 4485 Student Teaching in Special Education

Area H - Teaching Core - Required Hours: 29

• PELM 5115 Development of Motor Skills: A Lifespan Perspective
• SPED 3155 Learning and Behavioral Characteristics of Students with MR
• SPED 3215 Tests and Measurement in Special Education
• SPED 3245 Language Development of Children with Disabilities
• SPED 3265 Collaboration with Families and Professionals
• SPED 3275 Behavior Modification and Management of Students with Disabilities
• SPED 4155 The Special Educator in the Public School
• SPED 4215 Teaching Students with Mental Retardation
• SPED 5225 Teaching Students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities

Area I - Program Electives - Required Hours: 11

• Select Group A or Group B
  Note: SPED 3225 may be substituted for EDEC 4245 or EDMG 4121
  • Group A
    
    • EDEC 4216 Communication Arts in Early Childhood
    • EDEC 4245 Teaching Mathematics for Young Children
  • Group B
    
    • EDCI 4455 Practicum 2 Middle Grades and Secondary Education
    • EDMG 4115 Teaching Language Arts in Grade 4 - 8
    • EDMG 4121 Teaching Mathematics in the Middle Grades
    • SPED 3165 Trends and Issues in Mental Retardation

Total Hours Required 123