The Department of Educational Psychology (EPSY) offers an undergraduate degree program, Bachelor of Science in Education that prepares students to be special educators. Completion of this program leads to teaching certifications in special education (EC through grade 12) and general education (EC through grade 6) within the constraints of the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The Special Education program focuses on preparing teachers to instruct students with disabilities in both general education and special education settings. Students interested in becoming special education teachers should contact the EPSY undergraduate advisor in Harrington Tower.
The following curriculum leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with certification in Special Education K-12. Students are required to meet with their assigned academic advisor prior to registration each semester.
Plan of Study Grid First Year |
Fall |
ENGL 103
| Introduction to Rhetoric and Composition
or Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
HIST 105
| History of the United States
or History of the United States | 3 |
MATH 140
| Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences
or Finite Mathematics | 3 |
POLS 206 | American National Government | 3 |
| 4 |
| |
| Botany | |
| Zoology | |
| Introductory Biology I | |
| Essentials in Biology | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
Spring |
HIST 226 | History of Texas | 3 |
INST 210 | Understanding Special Populations | 3 |
MATH 142 | Business Calculus | 3 |
POLS 207 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| 4 |
| |
| Molecular Science for Citizens and Molecular Science for Citizens Laboratory | |
| Fundamentals of Chemistry I | |
| Principles of Geology | |
| Historical Geology | |
| Planet Earth and Planet Earth Lab | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
Summer |
ENGL 203
| Writing about Literature
or Technical and Professional Writing | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 3 |
Second Year |
Fall |
EPFB 210 | Family Engagement and Empowerment | 3 |
EPSY 320
| Child Development
or Adolescent Development | 3 |
KINE 120 | The Science of Basic Health and Fitness | 1 |
MATH 365 | Structure of Mathematics I | 3 |
TEFB 273 | Introduction to Culture, Community, Society and Schools | 3 |
| 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
Spring |
HLTH 214/KINE 214 | Health and Physical Activity for Children | 3 |
INST 222 | Foundations of Education in a Multicultural Society | 3 |
INST 362 | English as a Second Language Methods I | 3 |
MATH 366 | Structure of Mathematics II | 3 |
SPED 302 | Instructional Design for Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
Summer |
INST 301 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 6 |
Third Year |
Fall |
EPFB 301 | Teaching Skills I | 3 |
SPED 310 | Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities | 3 |
SPED 312 | Effective Reading Instruction for Students with Diverse Abilities | 3 |
SPED 471 | Classroom Management and Behavioral Interventions | 3 |
TEFB 413 | Science in the Elementary School | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
Spring |
EPFB 401 | Teaching Skills II | 3 |
SPED 311 | Assessment of Students with Disabilities | 3 |
SPED 314 | Effective Mathematics Strategies for Students with Disabilities | 4 |
SPED 414 | Methods and Issues in Low-Incidence Disabilities | 3 |
SPED 442 | Teaching Students with Emotional Disturbances and Behavior Disorders | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
Fourth Year |
Fall |
EDCI 365 | Using Technology Classrooms | 3 |
INST 363 | English as a Second Language Methods II | 3 |
RDNG 372 | Reading and Writing across the Middle Grades Curriculum | 3 |
SEFB 420 | Education and Employment Issues in Secondary Special Education | 3 |
| 3 |
| Geography of the United States | |
| Geography of Texas | |
| Concepts in Geographic Education | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
Spring |
SEFB 425 | Student Teaching in Special Education | 6 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 6 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 124 |