Oct 06, 2024  
2004-2005 Graduate Catalog 
    
2004-2005 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Education: Inclusive Education-Professional Certification


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Inclusive Education Programs

  • Early Childhood, birth-grade 2
  • Childhood, grades 1-6
  • Adolescence, grades 7-12

Programs of study:

Initial Certification - for students with no prior teacher certification who seek to obtain their initial teaching certification. The Inclusive Education Programs lead to two certificates simultaneously: (1) at the early childhood, childhood, or adolescence developmental level; and (2) teaching students with disabilities at the early childhood, childhood, or adolescence developmental level. (see separate program description)

Additional Certification, Same Developmental Level - for students who currently hold a general education certification at a specific developmental level and seek to obtain an additional teaching certificate at the same developmental level for teaching students with disabilities. (see separate program description)

Additional Certification, Changing Developmental Levels - for students who currently hold a teaching certificate at one developmental level and seek to obtain a general education certificate and a teaching students with disabilities certificate at another developmental level. (see separate program description)

Professional Certification - for students who currently hold teaching certificates in both Childhood Education and Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Childhood-level, and seek to obtain professional teaching certificates at this developmental level. (see below)

Extension and Annotation options are available. Please see Annotations and Extensions for further information.

Program Philosophy

The Inclusive Education Programs are committed to the preparation of teachers for all students. We believe that educators can no longer choose to be prepared to teach only some of our students. Increasing numbers of students with disabilities are maintaining or regaining access to general education classrooms, curricula, and statewide assessments. Our programs are designed to provide systematic teacher preparation for the challenges and opportunities of today’s diverse classrooms.

Faculty members share an understanding that inclusion reflects, at both the state and national level as well as within the programs, a shift in philosophy from earlier models of schooling. We believe that the inclusive classroom is the best environment for all learners. Inclusion benefits children and teachers because it mirrors society and encourages learners and teachers to operate from points of strength, not deficit. In these programs the concepts of diversity and inclusivity encompass the following areas: cultural/ethnic, linguistic, social class, learning style and “intelligence/s,” gender, and exceptionalities (including both students who are gifted and talented and students who have disabilities). With this as a guiding vision, the following mission statement frames the programs:

The Inclusive Education Programs seek to prepare teachers who affirm the membership of all students within increasingly diverse classrooms and who are skilled at utilizing learning theory and strategies to address the range of needs of all learners.

The programs prepare educators with:

  • the knowledge base necessary to teach in inclusive settings;
  • the disposition to value the range of learners in inclusive settings while striving to meet all learner needs;
  • and the skills to implement evolving professional practices based on current theory and research.

Program Directors
Inclusive Education Programs

Kathleen Russell, M.S.
Inclusive Education Programs, Early Childhood

Kathleen DaBoll-Lavoie, Ph.D.
Inclusive Education Programs, Childhood

James Black, Ph.D.
Inclusive Education Programs, Adolescence
 

Entry Requirements


  1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution with a cumulative index of 3.0 and a B average in the major field. An applicant who does not meet these grade point average expectations must address them in his/her personal statement; please see the Personal Statement section of the admissions application form for further information.
  2. Presentation of official transcripts.
  3. Two letters of recommendation.
  4. Application and fee.
  5. Completion of the personal-professional statement as described on the application form.
  6. Copies of teacher certifications in Childhood Education and Teaching Students with Disabilities, Childhood-level

Certification required for admission: Initial certifications in Childhood Education and Teaching Student with Disabilities at the Childhood-level

Program leads to: Professional certifications in Childhood
Education and Teaching Students with Disabilities at the
Childhood-level

Please see Certification Requirement Changes for further information.

Application Deadlines


April 1 for Fall Term
October 1 for Spring Term

Program Requirements Inclusive Education: Professional Certification, Childhood Education


Core Courses: (6 credits)


Elective Courses: (12 credits)


Choose from the following areas with at least 6 credits in a specific area)

  • Annotation: Students with Severe or Multiple Disabilities (6 cr)
  • Extension: Middle Childhood (6 cr)
  • Extension: Bilingual (12 cr)
  • Extension: Gifted and Talented Education (9 cr)
  • Literacy Education electives (6-12 cr)
  • Inclusive Education electives (6-12 cr)
  • TESOL electives (6-12 cr)

Capstone Course and Portfolio Presentation: (3 credits)


Total Credits: 36


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