Curriculum and Instruction Specialist
LD, E/BD, & Mild MR

Dr. Ruth Meese, Program Coordinator
434.395.2340, rmeese@longwood.edu

The concentration in special education provides strategies for effective teaching of students with learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, and mild mental retardation. Graduate students learn assessment and diagnosis of students, effective instructional procedures, collaborative techniques, and behavior management strategies. This degree is for special education teachers or other licensed teachers who wish to work toward an endorsement to teach students with learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, or mild mental retardation.

Students entering the C & I/LD, E/BD, and MMR program must possess a valid teaching license.  Prior to receiving the master’s degree, students must meet the following graduation requirements: (1) students must show evidence of at least one course in the teaching of reading and at least one course in the teaching of mathematics; and, (2) students must have completed a course in human growth and development or complete EDUC 521 Human Growth and Development.

NOTE: Though many courses overlap, this is a different program from the 5-year Liberal Studies undergraduate/graduate special education program and the special NK-12 education initial licensure program

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
 

EDUC 502 Research Design (3) (Required during the first nine hours)
EDUC 547 Instructional Media and Computer Technology in the Classroom (3)
EDUC 620 School Law (3)
SPED 515 Survey of Exceptional Students (3)
SPED 516 Medical and Neurological Problems of Exceptional Students (3)
SPED 520 Language Development and Language Disorders (3)
SPED 530 Characteristics of Students with Learning Disabilities, Emotional/ Behavioral Disorders, and Mental Retardation (3)
SPED 540 Curriculum and Methods for Students with Learning Disabilities, Emotional/ Behavioral Disorders, and Mental Retardation  (3)
SPED 545 Psychoeducational Assessment (3)
SPED 565 Behavior Management (3)
SPED 575 Career and Life Planning for Individuals with Disabilities (3)
SPED 682 Collaboration in the School, Home and Community (3)
SPED 600 Thesis Research (3) 
OR
EDUC 699 Comprehensive Exam (0)
 (In lieu of thesis research, students completing the non-thesis option take the comprehensive exam and one of the following courses:  ART 543; EDUC 530, 549; MATH 623; MUSC 543, 546; PSYC 523, 552, 660; SCED 562; or SPED 689, 690. Students are encouraged to take SPED 689 or SPED 690 from this list.)

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED: 39



Liberal Studies/Special Education

Dr. Ruth Meese, Program Coordinator
434.395.2340, rmeese@longwood.edu

This concentration is open only to Longwood students who have completed all requirements for the Longwood Liberal Studies/Special Education undergraduate curriculum including 33 credits of General Education, 53-54 credits in the Liberal Studies major and 41 credits of professional education as described in the Longwood College Undergraduate Catalog.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
 

EDUC 502 Research Design (3) (Required during the first nine hours)
EDUC 521 Human Growth and Development (3)
EDUC 524 Emergent and Early Literacy Instruction (3) 
OR
EDUC 525 Intermediate Literacy Education (3)
EDUC 530 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas (3)
EDUC 620 School Law (3)
SPED 516 Medical and Neurological Problems of Exceptional Students (3)
SPED 530 Characteristics of Students with Learning Disabilities, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, and Mental Retardation (3)
SPED 545 Psychoeducational Assessment (3)
SPED 575 Career and Life Planning for Individuals with Disabilities (3)
SPED 600 Thesis Research (3)
OR
EDUC 699  Comprehensive Exam (0)
(In lieu of the thesis, students selecting the non-thesis option must take  the comprehensive exam and one of the following courses: ART 543, EDUC 549, EDUC 681, MATH 623, MUSC 546, PSYC 523, PSYC 551, PSYC 660, or SCED 562.  The course selected  must not have been taken during the undergraduate years.)
SPED 689 Seminar of Current Issues in Special Education (3)
SPED 690 Internship (3)

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED: 36



Special Education Initial Licensure
with Master’s Degree Option

Dr. Ruth Meese, Program Coordinator
434.395.2340, rmeese@longwood.edu

This program is designed for individuals with a baccalaureate degree who wish to work toward the Postgraduate Professional Licensure with an endorsement to teach LD, E/BD, and mild MR students. The application process and requirements are the same as for all other graduate curriculum and instruction specialist programs at Longwood College, except for the requirement of initial teaching licensure. Students must indicate in the application process whether they are seeking the degree or licensure only. Students must successfully complete Praxis I and II prior to application for licensure through Longwood College.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS for Initial Licensure in Special Education
 

EDUC 521 Human Growth and Development (3)
EDUC 506 Foundations of the Teaching Profession (3)
MATH 623 Teaching Mathematics in Grades K-8 (3)
SPED 515 Survey of Exceptional Students (3)
SPED 516 Medical and Neurological Problems of Exceptional Students (3)
SPED 520 Language Development and Language Disorders (3)
SPED 530 Characteristics of Students with Learning Disabilities, Emotional/ Behavioral Disorders, and Mental Retardation (3)
SPED 540 Curriculum and Methods for Students with Learning Disabilities, Emotional/ Behavioral Disorders, and Mental Retardation (3)
SPED 545 Psychoeducational Assessment (3)
SPED 565 Behavior Management (3) 
SPED 575 Career and Life Planning for Individuals with Disabilities (3)
SPED 682 Collaboration in the School, Home and Community (3)
SPED 690 Internship (3)
Six credits of reading.  Select two of the following:
EDUC 524 Emergent and Early Literacy Instruction (3)
AND/OR
EDUC 525 Intermediate Literacy Education (3)
AND/OR
EDUC 530 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas (3)

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED: 45

ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS for Master's Degree Option
 

EDUC 502 Research Design (3) (Required during the first nine hours)
EDUC 547 Media and Computer Technology (3)
EDUC 699 Comprehensive Examination (0)

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED: 51

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