Special Education and Inclusive Learning, BSEd

Total hours for the program: 120-126 (depending on the chosen concentration)

Teacher candidates who complete the Special Education and Inclusive Learning program earn a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) degree and are recommended for North Carolina Professional Educator’s licenses in Special Education: General Curriculum (K-6 and K-12) and one additional multi-licensure area depending on their concentration. The options include:

Multi-licensure Gifted and Creative (K-12) Concentration
Multi-licensure Elementary Education (K-6) Concentration
Multi-licensure Adapted Curriculum (K-12) Concentration
Secondary Transition Concentration

Teacher Education Program Requirements

All students who declare a major in an educator preparation program must apply and meet all requirements for admission to and continuation in the Teacher Education Program . All requirements for admission should be met by the end of the semester the student is enrolled in EDCI 201. Inclusive Education majors must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program to enroll in the remaining Professional Education Sequence courses indicated below.

Special Education and Inclusive Learning Program Requirements

Students can declare a major in Special Education and Inclusive Learning (SEIL) at any time and complete several major courses prior to admission to the Teacher Education Program. Admission to Teacher Education is required for Special Education and Inclusive Learning majors to enroll in most advanced courses. Open and restricted courses are indicated on the eight-semester program plan.

SEIL teacher candidates must earn a C or higher in all major and professional education sequence courses as well as maintain a 2.75 GPA overall, in the professional education sequence and in the major. SEIL teacher candidates who earn a grade of C- or lower in a major or professional education sequence course must repeat the course when it is offered and earn a grade of C or higher. A teacher candidate whose overall GPA falls below 2.75 will be removed from the Teacher Education Program, must regain a 2.75 GPA, and then reapply for admission to continue in the program. An SEIL teacher candidate whose overall major and professional sequence GPA falls below 2.75 will not meet graduation requirements.

SEIL teacher candidates must maintain professional behavior in university and field placements which adheres to the North Carolina code of ethics for teachers and the professional dispositions of the College of Education and Allied Professions to remain in the Teacher Education Program and the major.

Liberal Studies Hours (42 hours)

Liberal Studies Program Requirements

Teacher Education Program

Teacher Education Program Policies and Procedures

The Professional Education Sequence (30 hours)

EDCI 201 - Teacher Leadership in a Diverse Society Credits: 3
SPED 240 - The Exceptional Child Credits: 3
SPED 430 - Classroom Leadership Credits: 3
EDEL 390 - Practicum I Credits: 3
Intern I
SPED 484 - Inclusive Education Internship I Credits: 1-3
3 hours required
SPED 497 - Seminar for Instructional Development Credits: 3
Intern II
SPED 490 - Inclusive Education Internship II Credits: 9
SPED 495 - Inclusive Education Seminar Credits: 3

Major Requirements (36 hours)

Note that MATH 221 and MATH 321 fulfill the Liberal Studies C2 requirement.

The following courses are required.

EDEL 415 - Language Arts Methods for Grades K-6 Credits: 3
EDEL 428 - Mathematics Methods 1 for Grades K-6 Credits: 3
EDRD 320 - Foundations of Literacy Development Credits: 3
EDRD 420 - Methods of Effective Reading Instruction Credits: 3
EDRD 440 - Reading Diagnosis and Instruction for Grades K-6 Credits: 3
MATH 221 - Number Sense for Teaching Credits: 3
MATH 321 - Reasoning about Change, Measurement, Chance, and Data for Teaching Credits: 3
SPED 310 - Assessment for Instruction Credits: 3
SPED 312 - Teaching Elementary Students in Inclusive Education Credits: 3
SPED 401 - Exceptional Learners in the General Curriculum Credits: 3
SPED 407 - Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Supports in Inclusive Education Credits: 3
SPED 423 - Teaching Reading to Individuals with Mild to Moderate Disabilities Credits: 3

Choose ONE of the following concentrations

Concentrations below fulfill requirements for recommendation for additional licensure. Note that all concentrations except the elementary education concentration require a guided elective that must be approved by the program on an individual basis. A total of 120 hours is required to meet degree requirements in these areas.

Gifted and Creative (K-12) Concentration (15 hours)

Completion of this concentration results in teacher candidate recommendation for North Carolina Professional Educator’s licenses in Gifted and Creative (K-12) and Special Education General Curriculum (K-12). Graduates will have the skills to work with students with disabilities, those who are gifted, and students who are twice exceptional.

SPED 400 - Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving Credits: 3
SPED 471 - Foundations of Gifted and Creative Education Credits: 3
SPED 475 - Methods and Models of Gifted and Creative Education Credits: 3
SPED 477 - Curriculum Differentiation for Gifted and Creative Learners Credits: 3
Plus 3 hours from methods courses in STEM, Science, Math, Art, or Social Studies from ELED/Middle/Secondary programs.

Elementary Education (K-6) Concentration (24 hours)

Completion of this concentration results in teacher candidate recommendation for North Carolina Professional Educator’s licenses in Elementary Education (K-6) and Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12).

EDEL 416 - Science Methods for Grades K-6 Credits: 3
EDEL 417 - Social Studies Methods for Grades K-6 Credits: 3
EDEL 429 - Mathematics Methods 2 for Grades K-6 Credits: 3
EDEL 446 - Digital Literacy Methods for Grades K-6 Credits: 3
ENGL 413 - ESL Methods for Content Teachers Credits: 3
SPED 413 - Teaching Adolescents in Inclusive Education Credits: 3
Language Requirement (6 hours):

Students must take 6 hours of World Languages coursework.

Note that three of the six required World Languages hours satisfy the Liberal Studies P6 World Cultures requirement. However, if students take CSD 451 and CSD 452 (Introduction to American Sign Language I & II) to satisfy the program’s Language Requirement, they will be required to take an additional 3 hours to satisfy the P6 Liberal Studies Requirement, thereby increasing total program hours.

Adapted Curriculum (K-12) Concentration (15 hours)

Completion of this concentration results in teacher candidate recommendation for North Carolina Professional Educator’s licenses in Adapted Curriculum (K-12) and Special Education General Curriculum (K-12). Graduates will have the skills to work with students who have disabilities that are mild to moderate as well as moderate to severe.

SPED 241 - Exceptional Learners in the Adapted Curriculum Credits: 3
SPED 311 - Positive Behavioral Supports for Students with Severe Disabilities Credits: 3
SPED 344 - Assistive Technology for Severe Disabilities Credits: 3
SPED 414 - Curriculum and Methods for Students in the Adapted Curriculum Credits: 3
Plus 3 hours of methods courses in the other options within special education, social studies, or science courses in elementary, middle, and secondary education programs.

Secondary Transition Concentration (15 hours)

Completion of this concentration results in teacher candidate recommendation for a North Carolina Professional Educator’s license in Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12). Students will also develop concentrated skills in secondary transition. Graduates will have the skills to work with students who have disabilities and focus on secondary special education and community-based services that support students with disabilities across the lifespan.

COMM 375 - Communication in Family and Close Relationships Credits: 3
SPED 315 - Post-Secondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Credits: 3
SPED 338 - Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) Credits: 3
SPED 413 - Teaching Adolescents in Inclusive Education Credits: 3
Plus 3 hours from methods courses offered in the other options within special education, psychology, or social work courses.

Additional Requirements:

Visit the program’s website at inclusiveed.wcu.edu to view the eight-semester program plans.