The special education curriculum is designed to meet the credential requirements of North Dakota for teachers of students who are mentally retarded. The program also provides a background for further study in other areas of special education such as learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, and multiple disabilities.
Students majoring in special education must also major in elementary education, early childhood education, or complete a major in a teachable secondary education academic area (secondary/special education double majors must take EDU 307 and EDU 316). Senior special education majors who have completed 114 credit hours and have a 3.00 grade point average may apply to take eight credits at the graduate level. Applicants must be admitted to graduate studies prior to enrollment.
Major in Special Education: PED 313; PSY 406; EDU 332, 383, 388, 392, 409 or 656, 410, 412 or 595, 414 or 615, 415 or 657, 429 or OTH 530, 426, and two semester hours of special education electives. (For course descriptions of EDU 595, 615, 656, 657, and OTH 530, see the Graduate Bulletin.)
Major in Special Education Minor: EDU 295, 383; at least four credits from the following: SWK 303; PED 313; EDU 332, 388, 392, 410, 593, 670, 523, 576; and at least five credits from the following: EDU 409 or 656, 412 or 595, 414 or 615.
Note: A minor in special education does not lead to a North Dakota credential; however, the content and practices involved in a special education minor will be valuable to general education teachers and may be valuable to other human service majors such as occupational therapy and/or social work.
Division of Education Admission Requirements
The specific requirements for entrance into the Division of Education are as follows:
1. A student must have minimum overall GPA of 2.5.
2. A student must complete a Personal Data Form.
3. A student must submit a current Graduation Report.
4. A student must write and submit an essay on the "Philosophy of the Division of Education."
5. For SBS teaching, English teaching, biology teaching, math teaching, and music majors only: Students must provide written evidence of acceptance by their major division.
Admission to the Division of Education is prerequisite to taking EDU and PED 300-400 level courses. Admission requirements are presented and discussed in EDU 201-Introduction to Teaching, and all 200-level courses must be completed prior to enrollment in EDU/PED 300-400-level courses.
