Advising

Fall Term Suggested Courses: Special Education

 

NOTE: Any student can declare Special Education as a major, but in order to take the required classes in the junior and senior years, you must apply and be accepted into the Special Ed department. The department admits once a year for Fall term. Learn more about SPED Admissions

Not sure what classes to take in your first term at PSU? Use the guides below for suggestions, and connect with your academic advisor if you need more help. You can also email sipathway@pdx.edu.

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS:

  • Full-time is 12 credits. Most courses are 4 credits, so three courses is typically considered full-time. You should also budget 2-3 hours per credit outside of class for homework and studying.
  • Consider the times when courses are offered and how they fit in your personal schedule/preferences. If you are not a morning person, you may want to avoid 8 am courses. If you have school-aged children, how does that impact your choices?
  • You can earn either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Special Education. Consider your future goals and whether having a language background will be helpful to you.

First-Year Students:

For BA degreeFor BS degreeAdvisor Pro Tips
UNST 1XX First Year Inquiry or Honors 101 The Global City (5 credits)UNST 1XX First Year Inquiry or Honors 101 The Global City (5 credits)These are yearlong sequences, so check out the First Year Inquiry Planning Guide and Honors website for descriptions and bios, and pick a theme that interests you.
Language course (4-5 credits)MTH 211 or a science course (4 credits)Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199 now and 211 next term.
Any 100/200-level social science course, such as: BST 206, BST 211, BST 214, CHLA 201, CCJ 200, CCJ 210, CCJ 230, CCJ 235, CCJ 240, CCJ 260, HST 101, HST 104, HST 200, HST 201, NAS 299, PS 101, PS 204, PS 221, PSY 201Z, PSY 202Z, SOC 200, SOC 206Z, WS 101Any 100/200-level social science course, such as: BST 206, BST 211, BST 214, CHLA 201, CCJ 200, CCJ 210, CCJ 230, CCJ 235, CCJ 240, CCJ 260, HST 101, HST 104, HST 200, HST 201, NAS 299, PS 101, PS 204, PS 221, PSY 201Z, PSY 202Z, SOC 200, SOC 206Z, WS 101These are great classes to take in your first year at PSU. You will also be required to take 1-2 electives this year; don't be afraid to take one! You can choose from this list of introductory classes.

Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs

Transfers with 30-89 credits:

For BA degreeFor BS degreeAdvisor Pro Tips
UNST 2XX Sophomore Inquiry or HON 260 Honors Writing for Sophomore Transfers (4 credits)UNST 2XX Sophomore Inquiry or HON 260 Honors Writing for Sophomore Transfers (4 credits)Refer to descriptions on the websites linked and pick a theme that interests you.
Language course (4-5 credits)MTH 211 or a science course (4 credits)Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199 now and 211 next term.

MTH 211 Foundations of Elementary Math I

SPED 418-Survey of the Exceptional Learner

MTH 211 Foundations of Elementary Math I

SPED 418-Survey of the Exceptional Learner

You will need to apply for admission to the SPED department in Winter term, to be considered for admissions for the following Fall. The Math and SPED classes need to be done by the end of the school year. 

If you have taken MTH 211 already, take a highly recommended course.

Highly recommended courses for SPED: SPHR 365U, MTH 213, PSY 311U, PSY 461, & LING 390

1If you are transferring credit and this has been satisfied, select either an additional course in the major or a general elective.

Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs

Transfers with 90-134 credits:

For BA degreeFor BS degreeAdvisor Pro Tips
Upper Division Cluster course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits)Upper Division Cluster course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits)You can choose to do any cluster you want, but SPED strongly suggests taking Families and Society, and taking classes from that cluster in PSY and SPHR.
Language course (4-5 credits)MTH 211 or a science course (4 credits)Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199 now and 211 next term.

MTH 211 Foundations of Elementary Math I

SPED 418-Survey of the Exceptional Learner

Cluster class

 

MTH 211 Foundations of Elementary Math I

SPED 418-Survey of the Exceptional Learner

Cluster class

As you wait on SPED Admissions, you can take the SPED prerequisites: MTH 211, and 212 or 213 and SPED 417. If you have those done, focus on your cluster or Honors course in Fall or a Race and Ethnic Studies designated course. 

Helpful video: How to search for Cluster courses

Transfers with 135 or more credits:

For BA degreeFor BS degreeAdvisor Pro Tips
Upper Division course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits)Upper Division course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits)If you are doing UNST, you only need Senior Capstone, but don't take it during your first term.
Language course (4-5 credits)MTH 211 or a science course (4 credits)Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199 now and MTH 211 next term.

MTH 211 Foundations of Elementary Math I

SPED 418-Survey of the Exceptional Learner

MTH 211 Foundations of Elementary Math I

SPED 418-Survey of the Exceptional Learner

MTH 211 & 212 or 213 and SPED 417 are required for both the bachelor's and the master's in Special Education. Talk to an advisor about your plan to graduation. 

We strongly recommend meeting with your academic advisor to create a plan for your degree completion.

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