Highly Recommended Courses

The following courses are highly recommended as preparation for the Special Educator program.
  • SPED 199/410: Careers in Special Education (1 credit)
  • SPED 410/519: Principles of Special Education (3 credits)
  • SPED 199/460: Outdoor Education/Recreation with Individuals with Disabilities, or, UNST 421: Senior Capstone: Learning From and About Persons with Significant Disabilities (6 credits)
  • MTH 212 and 213 Foundations of Elementary Math (Note: MTH 211 is the first in this series and is a required pre-requisite course) (4 credits)
  • CI 432 - Computer Applications for the Classroom (3 credits)

     

In the chart below each course is described and important notes about the course are provided:

Highly recommended courses and times offered at PSU Important notes about this course
SPED 199/410: Careers in Special Education
(1 credit)
Offered at PSU fall and spring terms 		This one credit course is designed for students who want to know more about being a special education teacher. There are many different career opportunities in this field that most people are not aware of. Special educators work in a wide variety of programs, work with children from birth to age 21 and others work as specialized consultants. In this class, students have an opportunity to learn about the range of career opportunities and also explore specific career interests.
SPED 410/519: Principles of Special Education (3 credits)
Offered at PSU winter, spring and summer terms		 Introduction to special education law and process, professional ethics, and the impact of educational reform on students with disabilities.
This is a required course in the graduate special educator program. If taken as an undergraduate, student will not have to pay graduate tuition for this class.
SPED 199/460: Outdoor Education/ Recreation with Individuals with Disabilities,
or,
UNST 421: Senior Capstone: Learning From and About Persons with Significant Disabilities (6 credits)
Offered at PSU 4 times during summer term in 2-week blocks		 Students in these two courses spend two weeks as a counselor at a summer camp for individuals with disabilities at Mt. Hood and are guided through the experience by special education teachers.
Students must apply to the camp program before they can register for this course. Call (503) 725-3380 for information. Acceptance is on a first-come first-served basis, so apply early.
This is an excellent way to gain greater understanding first hand of the strengths and challenges of individuals with significant disabilities such as autism, physical and medical conditions, and cognitive disabilities. You will also have an opportunity to meet many special educators from the Metro area who comprise the camp staff.
MTH 212 and 213 Foundations of Elementary Math
(4 credits each)
Math 212 offered at PSU in winter and spring terms		 Math 213 offered at PSU in the spring term Note: MTH 211 is the first in this series and is a required pre-requisite course. If you are planning to teach and support academics for students with disabilities, we highly recommend the entire series of MTH 211, 212, and 213. Foundations of Elementary Mathematics in order to gain a strong base in teaching math.
CI 432/532 - Computer Applications for the Classroom. (3 credits)
Offered at PSU fall and spring terms		 This course is designed for preservice or inservice teachers who wish to become comfortable with the use of the computer to enhance classroom teaching and learning. Topics include an introduction to computers and technology in education; review and curriculum integration of courseware; use of word processing; designing and using computer-based databases in the classroom; computer literacy; and graphics software for the classroom.