Our Academic Behavioral Strategist concentration prepares you to serve K-12 students in a variety of mild to moderate disability categories, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Other Health Disabilities, and Developmental Concentration Disabilities. You’ll be equipped to work in resource rooms and inclusive K-12 settings within public schools. If you're not already a Tier 3 or Tier 4 Minnesota licensed teacher, you will also need to complete the Standards of Effective Practice concentration. This additional concentration meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Standards and Licensing Board’s (PELSB) Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice, a requirement for all Tier 3 and Tier 4 licensed teachers.

Total Credits

41

Finish in as Few as

18-28 months (plus thesis)

Courses

• Locating Resources for Educational Research (EDUC614)

  Introduction of skills needed to search for and cite resources used in a teacher preparation program and master’s thesis. Identification of differences between research-based sources, non-research-based sources, and other scholarly sources on educational topics using discipline-specific resources.

  1 credits

• Preparing the Thesis/Collaborative Research Project (EDUC755)

  Introduction to the educational research process including planning for the process of writing and defending a thesis. Recognition of the characteristics of quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods and meta-analysis. Reflection on research ethics from a Christian worldview. Demonstration of academic research and writing skills including APA formatting proficiency. Summarization of current, relevant literature on a feasible topic. Creation of a prospectus that contains key components of a proposed study.

  1 credits

• Writing the Thesis/Collaborative Research Project (EDUC790)

  Exploration of a significant educational issue relevant to the student's professional involvement through an independent thesis or collaborative, research project. Oral defense of student’s thesis or project following collaboration with thesis advisor to ensure guidelines have been followed and requirements have been met as noted in the Bethel University Graduate Education Thesis Handbook.

  3 credits

• 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

• Introduction to Special Education (SPED605)

  Identification of the impact historical and philosophical foundations, legal bases, and contemporary issues have on special education. Identification of common disability category characteristics. Description of the impact culture, faith, and linguistics have on special education. Description of how the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) impacts special education.

  1 credits

• Introduction to Academic Instruction and Behavior Management for the Exceptional Learner (SPED608)

  This course will prepare special education teachers for their unique role as academic instructors and skillful classroom managers. Students will become familiar with a wide range of evidence-based teaching and behavior management methods that include approaches for one to one, small group and class-wide delivery. An emphasis on universal design as it relates to the needs of both typically developing and exceptional learners will accompany a foundational introduction to Behavioral management through antecedent-based intervention and environmental arrangement.

  3 credits

• Norm-Referenced Assessment (SPED610)

  Description of standards and critical elements in the special education assessment process. Identification of test development principles and evaluation of standardized assessment instruments for special education decision-making. Description of responsibilities of assessment team members. Synthesis of assessment data. Application of scriptural principles to assessment in special education.

  3 credits

  Corequisite Course: SPED655;SPED670

• 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

• Special Education: Planning and Programming (SPED625)

  Development and evaluation of an individual education program (IEP) based on student assessment results. Consideration of technology, supplementary aids, services, and transition needs of students. Synthesis of cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity. Demonstration of best practice and collaboration techniques between school, family, and outside agencies.

  3 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

• Classroom-Based Assessment (SPED655)

  Description of legal, professional, and ethical standards in assessment related to informal assessment measures and environmental factors influencing student achievement and behavior. Description of student’s learning style, strengths, and analysis of behavior based on observations and assessment data. Identification of the influence diversity, age, and gender have on assessment.

  3 credits

  Corequisite Course: SPED610;SPED670

• Special Education Assessment Field Experience (SPED670)

  Identification of students’ strengths and needs through assessment. Identification of the purpose of multidisciplinary teams. Development of an evaluation report. Explanation of assessment results with family, student and staff. Creation of interventions. Development of a plan for continued professional development in the area of assessment. 30 hours/12 weeks

  1 credits

  Corequisite Course: SPED610;SPED655

• 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

• Consultation, Collaboration & Resources (SPED675)

  Identification of collaborative partners and structures needed to provide effective special education services to students and their families. Inclusion of community, interagency, educational organizations, and other professional services while considering family background, socioeconomic status, cultural and linguistic diversity. Evaluation of current research and its relevance to planning and implementing emerging special education practices.

  2 credits

Select one from:

• Student Teaching - Academic Behavior Strategist (SPED780)

  Implementation of procedures necessary to incorporate referral, assessment, evaluation, IEPs, and interventions for students with mild-moderate disabilities. Management of timelines and responsibilities including consultation with parents, school and community professionals. Development of strategies for efficacy and engaging resources. Analysis of personal and professional growth as a special educator. 12 consecutive weeks required.

  4 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

Credits listed are for the current catalog. The PELSB (Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board) may implement new requirements that may require credit changes.