If you already hold a special education license in one disability category, you can complete this program as an add-on license. By adding the Academic Behavioral Strategist License, you'll be able to work with a wider range of students with disabilities. You will also broaden your opportunities within your district, or it could lead to new possibilities. And additional credits gained through an add-on license help educators move up on the salary scale. You can earn an add-on license in six to nine months. If you are working in an environment in the license category you're pursuing, you'll be able to complete most practicum requirements on the job.

Total Credits

13

Finish in as Few as

6-9 months

Courses

• Foundations of Instructional Strategies for Students with Mild-Moderate Disabilities (SPED618)

  Interpretation of student performance data. Description of differentiation strategies. Application of evidence-based instructional practices and theories for students with a range of disabilities and diverse needs. Designing of positive instructional environments. Reflection on the relationship between faith concepts and educational practice in K-12 special education.

  3 credits

• Reading Foundations (SPED620)

  Identification of relationships among reading, writing, and oral language, comprehension processes, and instructional strategies. Description of the structure of the English language and word identification strategies, and the role of vocabulary knowledge in language. Analysis of different texts for K-12 classrooms. Assessment strategies for reading and writing needs. Recognition of characteristics and instructional strategies for the specific learning disability: dyslexia.

  3 credits

• Reading Field Experience (SPED621)

  Supervised reading instruction in a K-12 setting. Assessment and analysis of reading ability. Creation of lessons and application of reading instruction skills/strategies. Designing of an environment that fosters reading. Identification of how personal faith connects with the professional responsibilities of a teacher. 30 hours over 12 weeks.

  1 credits

• Responsive Instruction, Intervention, and Assessment (SPED631)

  Identification of assessment measures for instructional decisions, professional organizations and publications related to interventions, and the historical context and educational movements. Interpretation of assessment data. Designing of instruction and modifications and analysis of progress monitoring data. Description of students’ assessment results and progress understandable to all stakeholders.

  3 credits

• Introduction to Behavioral Methods & Mental Health for Mild to Moderate Special Needs (SPED641)

  Introduction to behavior methods and mental health for students with mild/moderate

  3 credits

• ABS Field Experience (SPED673)

  A 35-hour field experience in which students observe K-12 educational programming process for children with mild to moderate disabilities in the areas of LD, EBD, DCD, ASD, and OHD with an emphasis on defining characteristics in each category. Experience the referral process, evaluation, eligibility, IEP development, programming, and professional collaboration to prepare for work in this field.

  1 credits

• ABS: Practicum (SPED786)

  Implementation of procedures necessary to incorporate interventions and IEPs for students with mild-moderate disabilities using engaging resources. Management of timelines, responsibilities, and consultation with parents, school and community professionals. Analysis of personal and professional growth as a special educator (80 required hours in a special education school setting).

  3 credits

Select one from:

• Characteristics of Mild-Moderate Disabilities (SPED600)

  Exploration of the five disability categories represented under Academic Behavioral Strategist (ABS). Identification of strategies that support stakeholders of children with mild-moderate needs. Explanation of topics that form the basis for special education practice for students with mild-moderate disabilities. Identification of the impact culture and linguistics has on special education.

  3 credits

• Characteristics of Selected Mild-Moderate Disabilities (SPED700)

  The mild-moderate range of five disability categories under Academic Behavior Strategist (ABS): Learning Disabilities (LD), Emotional and Behavior Disorders (EBD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), Developmental Disabilities (DD), and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Definitions, eligibility criteria, characteristics, curriculum, and contemporary issues of each. Students with two or more of these licenses adding ABS license will cover only the other disability areas.

  2 credits