Prerequisites and Tests

The following courses must be completed before starting the Special Educator program. The program starts at the beginning of summer term each year. The prerequisite courses must have been completed within seven years prior to beginning the special educator program.

  • PSY 311 Human Growth and Development (4 credits)
  • MTH 211, 212, 213 Foundations of Elementary Math I, II, & III (12 Credits). All THREE must be taken.
  • ED 420/520 Introduction to Education (4 credits)
  • SPED 418/518 Survey of Exceptional Learners (3 credits)

In the chart below each course is described, times offered at PSU, and important notes about the course are provided:

Prerequisite and times offered at PSU Important notes about this course
PSY 311 Human Growth and Development
(4 credits)
Offered at PSU fall, winter, spring and summer terms 		Development of the individual across the life-span, from conception to death. Surveys the biological bases and social contexts of developmental processes (e.g., cognitive, social, emotional development). Implications of research for education, parenting/family relations, and social policy. Course needs to include human development from birth to age 18 or beyond. An equivalent course can be found at area community colleges.

MTH 211, 212,
& 213
Foundations of Elementary Math
(12 credits @ 4 credits each)

 The courses are focused on how to teach math. If you are planning to teach and support academics for students with disabilities, the entire series of MTH 211, 212, and 213 must be taken. Foundations of Elementary Mathematics in order to gain a strong base in teaching math.
ED 420/520 Introduction to Education (4 credits)
Offered at PSU fall, winter, spring and summer terms		 Explores the nature of public education in the social context of the United States. Purpose is to develop critical ways of thinking about schools as social institutions and as a means of cultural transmission and transformation.
Note that this is a 4-credit course and includes a practicum in schools. Also, part of this course is completion of the certificate Discrimination and the Oregon Educator, which is required before completion of the program.
Thus, it's preferable to take this course at PSU instead of another institution, which may not include the certificate and the practicum.
SPED 418/518 Survey of Exceptional Learners
(3 credits)
Offered at PSU fall, winter, spring, and summer terms

This course provides the foundation for understanding various exceptionalities and how special education is provided to students in schools.

Registering for the prerequisite courses

It is advisable to begin prerequisite courses as soon as possible. If you plan on taking eight or fewer credits per term at Portland State University and are not currently a student you may register as a Quick Entry non-admitted student. A first-time registrant must submit a Quick Entry Application Form to the Office of Admissions and Records so that a registration file can be created. The application is available online or at the Office of Admissions and Records in 105 Neuberger Hall. There is a one-time $25.00 fee for this process. Quick Entry/Non-Admitted students are not eligible to receive financial aid. Please allow 48-72 hours for your registration record to be created. Consult the Schedule of Classes for course offerings and registration.

Course Substitutions
You may have previously taken a course(s) that can serve as a substitution for a prerequisite. An approved substitute course must have been completed within seven years prior to beginning the special educator program. For more information, please consult Special Education Department Packet.

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)
  • CI 432 - Computer Applications for the Classroom (3 credits)

Entrance Exams

Applicants are required to take and pass either the CBEST or PPST (unless they hold a current Oregon teaching license). The test should be taken early enough to receive the results by February; this usually requires tests to be taken by November or December.

It is the applicant's responsibility to register for the exam and make sure the scores are provided to the Department. Registration materials are available in the Graduate School of Education in room 204. Portland State University Testing Services has additional test information at 503-725-4428.
If the CBEST exam is taken please be aware that you will need to provide a photocopy of the test results you receive even if you request scores to be sent to Portland State University. The testing agency sends a list of scores to the university but no information to our department. We must have a copy of your scores in order to process your application.

Study materials for the entrance exams are available at the Portland State University Bookstore and from the testing organizations themselves.

Test
Required Scores
Pre-Professional Skills Test
(PPST) from PRAXIS, Inc. 		175 Math
174 Reading
171 Writing
California Basic Skills Test
(CBEST)

123; No less than 37 on any area (reading, math, & writing)