University of Michigan - Flint

This concentration provides students with valuable knowledge, skills, and competencies in working with individuals with special needs, especially those in multicultural populations. Courses include a comprehensive understanding of Special Education in American schools, issues in teaching and learning, and individuals with special needs from a developmental life-span perspective. In addition, students will master skills in assessment, program planning, behavioral and instructional interventions, and working as part of an interdisciplinary team with the school, family, and community; and become familiar with adaptive technologies for individuals with special needs.

The concentration is designed to allow students who have Michigan teaching certificates to complete coursework necessary to add a K-12 Learning Disabilities (SM) or K-12 Cognitive Impairments (SA) endorsement on their current elementary or secondary teaching certificate.

The concentration is designed to meet the needs of working professionals with a range of evening, weekend, compressed format, online, and "mixed mode" (combination of online and face-to-face classes) courses. Admission to the program is offered fall, winter, spring, and summer semesters. The program can be completed full-time within 1.5 years, or on a part-time basis.

Teachers can add the early childhood (ZA) endorsement to their secondary teaching certificates if they concurrently hold a special education endorsement for grades K-12. This means that when a student completes the LD or CI endorsement in the Special Education program at UM-Flint (or a comparable program at another institution), he or she may add the ZA endorsement to his or her teaching certificate. Details about the 21 credit hour ZA endorsement program available here.

Requirements

Master’s Program: 36 credit hours as outlined in sections A through C below

Endorsement Only¹: 33 credit hours as outlined in sections A and B below

A. Special Education Core Courses (18 credits)
     EDN 500: Individuals with Special Needs (3)
     EDN 501: Special Education in American Schools (3)
     EDN 502: Family, School and Community Collaboration for Students with Special Needs (3)
     EDN 540: Behavioral and Instructional Methods in Special Education (3)
     EDN 541: Assessments, Identification and Program Planning for Students with Special Needs (3)
     EDN 544: Assistive Technology for Students with Special Needs (3)

B. Area of Endorsement (15 credits)
    Choose one of the following:

    Learning Disabilities
    EDU 600: Comprehensive Overview of Learning Disabilities (3)
    EDN 640: Methods- Learning Disabilities (3)
    EDN 660: Secondary Practicum in Learning Disabilities (6)²
    EDR 645: Literacy Instruction for Students Identified with Special Needs (3)

    Cognitive Impairments
    EDN 601: Comprehensive Overview of Cognitive Impairments (3)
    EDN 641: Methods- Cognitive Impairments (3)
    EDN 661: Elementary Practicum in Cognitive Impairments (6)²
    EDN 663: Secondary Practicum in Cognitive Impairments (6)²
    EDR 645: Literacy Instruction for Students Identified with Special Needs (3)

C. Core Education Courses (3 credits)
     EDE 670: Research Seminar

D. Electives (for transfer students requiring additional credits)
     EDN 602: Issues and Trends in Special Education
     EDN/ECE 520 Early Childhood Special Education
     Other, approved courses

1. For students currently holding one endorsement and seeking a second endorsement, 18 credits are required with academic advisor's approval. Students are required to complete all courses in the second endorsement specialty area, including both practicum placements, and EDN 602, Issues and Trends in Special Education, or an equivalent, as required by the student’s advisor. Additional electives may be required if courses (i.e. EDN 645 Literacy Instruction for Special Needs Students) were taken with first endorsement.
2. One placement in elementary (6 weeks/3 credits) and one in middle/secondary setting (6 weeks/3 credits). Each placement, if possible, should be in a different type of setting (i.e. inclusive, self-contained, resource room) serving students in the area of endorsement. It is possible to complete both placements in one semester if student is not currently teaching full time, or placements may be completed in two different semesters. If currently teaching students in the area of endorsement, one placement, if approved, may be completed in own classroom (the second placement would need to be completed in different setting during summer term) with the support of a mentor.