Low-Incidence Disabilities Transcripted, Graduate Certificate

Program Description

  • The Low-Incidence Transcripted Certificate is an interdisciplinary program that prepares graduate students to collaboratively serve students with significant support needs through evidence-based practices. This 3-course certificate is offered to educators in the field of special education and other related disciplines, such as: counseling, psychology, early childhood, curriculum and instruction, and educational administration.

SLO's for Low-Incidence Disabilities Transcripted Certificate:


1. Understand the history and law of special education as it pertains to individuals with low-incidence disabilities (5319). 2. Select and implement assessments for individuals with low-incidence disabilities (5319, 5320, 5321). 3. Using assessment data, identify and implement appropriate evidence-based practices in instruction across skill domains for individuals with low-incidence disabilities (5320, 5321).
4. Evaluate and implement assistive technology and transition programs for individuals with low-incidence disabilities (5321).

Program Requirements

To receive a low-incidence disabilities transcripted certificate, the student must complete 9 semester hours of coursework consisting of the following 3 courses.

Required Courses
SPED 5319Introduction to Low-Incidence Disabilities ^3
SPED 5320Application of Learning Principles ^3
SPED 5321Supporting Access for Students with Low-Incidence Disabilities ^3
Total Hours9
^

Blended offering

Courses

SPED 5310  Psychoeducational Testing  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course focuses on current research and best practice in the assessment of exceptional learners, interpretation of formal and informal assessment data gathered through a variety of methods including Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and assessment of students from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Instructor’s permission is required.

Prerequisite: CNEP 5371 and 5374.

SPED 5311  Advanced Assessment  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course focuses on current research and best practice in the assessment of exceptional learners, interpretation of formal and informal assessment data gathered through a variety of methods, assessment of students from diverse backgrounds, and the application of MTSS intervention data. Instructor’s permission required.

Prerequisite: CNEP 5371 and 5374.

SPED 5315  Individuals with Exceptionalities in Schools  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course provides basic information and skills for working with students with exceptionalities in a variety of settings. It also includes current trends, issues, and research pertaining to persons with exceptionalities.

SPED 5319  Introduction to Low-Incidence Disabilities  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course introduces students to the field of low-incidence disabilities.  Students will explore foundational concepts including:  definition and etiology, family and professional partnerships, special education law, and standards based IEPs. 

SPED 5320  Application of Learning Principles  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course prepares teachers, administrators, counselors and diagnosticians to use a variety of applied learning principles to increase student learning and minimize disruptive behavior.

SPED 5321  Supporting Access for Students with Low-Incidence Disabilities  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course focuses on areas of universal design, assistive technology, and resources that support the learning and independence of diverse learners both in school and community settings. Class sessions will be held both on campus and in community settings. 

SPED 5324  Survey of Assistive Technology  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course is an introduction to assistive technology for individuals with disabilities.

SPED 5325  Technology for inclusion  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course will focus on the use of assistive technology to support and facilitate inclusion of students with disabilities in the classroom.

Prerequisite: ETEC 5301.

SPED 5326  Assistive Technology Assessment  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course will provide systematic procedures for the assessment of individual student's assistive technology needs. Legal issues of assistive technology and its impact on public education will be addressed.

Prerequisite: ETEC 5301.

SPED 5327  Motor Activity Programs for individuals with Disabilities  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course examines the significant role of motor activity in the lives of people with disabilities. Major programmatic approaches to adapted physical activity are presented.

SPED 5340  Individuals with Multiple Disabilities  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course is an advanced study of the adaptations, approaches, and supports necessary to meet the educational needs of students who have communication, intellectual, motor, sensory, and/or medical impairments.

SPED 5380  Behavioral Supports and Interventions for Students with Disabilities  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course will focus on characteristics and classifications of children and adolescents with behavior disorders. Intervention orientations and associated education/treatment approaches for children and adolescents will be explored.

SPED 5385  Emergent Bilinguals in Special Education  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course is designed to prepare special educators to address the sociocultural and ethnolinguistic needs of English learners. Particular emphasis is placed on: understanding the influence of language and culture in the design of instruction to prevent academic difficulty; the identification of students who need additional instructional supports; appropriate referral, screening, and assessment of students suspected of having disabilities; and the design of individualized education plans for students who qualify for special education services.

SPED 5386  Strategic Reading and Language Instruction for Students with High-Incidence Disabilities  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course focuses on reading and language strategies for teaching students with disabilities, including those who are English learners. It is designed to give students an overview of strategic reading and writing instruction. 

SPED 5387  Strategic Math and Content Area Instruction for Students with High-Incidence Disabilities  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course focuses on content-area strategies for teaching exceptional children, including those who are English learners.  It is designed to give students an overview of strategic mathematics and content area instruction.

SPED 5388  Current Issues in Special Education  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

CURRENT ISSUES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION Addresses issues currently facing the special education area. The course will focus on the following topics: (1) law and litigation, (2) inclusion, (3) assessment and individualized educational plan (IEP) procedures, (4) classification and labeling, (5) collaboration and consultation, (6) transition, (7) vocational education, (8) parent involvement, and (9) other relevant cultural pluralistic issues.

SPED 5390  Professional Seminar  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Topics in Special Education vary with professional identification of participants.

SPED 5397  Special Education Field Experience  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

A field-based experience in which the student will demonstrate competencies to design and/or implement IEP's for students with disabilities, including those who are English learners.  Grade assigned will be "credit" (CR) or "no credit" (NC).

Prerequisite: SPED 5315, 5320 and 5380.

SPED 5399  Individualized Programs for Students with Exceptionalities: Practicum  
1-3 Semester Credit Hours  

This field-based practicum is based on Texas Educational Diagnostician standards. Students gain extensive field experience in the administration and interpretation of assessment instruments and the development of individualized education programs. Instructor’s permission required.

Prerequisite: CNEP 5371, 5374, SPED 5310 and 5315.

SPED 5696  Directed individual Study  
1-6 Semester Credit Hours  

May be repeated when topics vary.

SPED 6315  Individuals with Exceptionalities in the Schools  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Basic information and skills for working with individuals with exceptionalities in a variety of settings. Includes current trends, issues and research pertaining to individuals with disabilities. Students who have taken SPED 5315 may not enroll in SPED 6315.

SPED 6319  Introduction to Low-Incidence Disabilities  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course introduces students to the field of low-incidence disabilities. Students will explore foundational concepts including: definitions and etiology, family and professional partnerships, special education law, and standards based Individualized Education Program (IEPs).

SPED 6320  Applications of Learning Principles  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 3 Lab Hours)  

This course prepares student(s) to use a variety of evidence-based approaches to increase student learning and minimize disruptive behavior.

SPED 6321  Supporting Access for Students with Low-Incidence Disabilities  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course focuses on areas of universal design, assistive technology, and resources that support the learning and independence of diverse learners both in school and community settings. Class sessions will be held both on campus and in community settings.

SPED 6380  Behavior Intervention and Support for Students with Disabilities  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course will focus on characteristics and classifications of children and adolescents with behavior disorders.  Intervention orientations and associated education/treatment approaches for children and adolescents will be explained.

SPED 6385  Emergent Bilinguals in Special Education  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

The philosophical and legal foundations of bilingual special education and bilingual education in the United States will be examined.  Bilingual special education and bilingual education will be defined and the rationale for these programs will also be explained.  Moreover, language minority education program models will be described and aspects associated with bilingualism will be discussed.  Special emphasis will be placed on a perusal of school-community dynamics relevant to language minority special education.

SPED 6386  Strategic Reading and Language Instruction for Students with High-Incidence Disabilities  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course focuses on reading and language strategies for teaching exceptional children, including those who are English learners.  It is designed to give students an overview of strategic reading and writing instruction.

SPED 6387  Strategic Math and Content Area Instruction for Students with High-incidence Disabilities  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course focuses on content-area strategies for teaching exceptional children, including those who are English learners.  It is designed to give students an overview of strategic mathematics and content area instruction.

SPED 6390  Special Topics in Special Education  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course addresses contemporary issues in special education. It may be repeated when topics vary.