Educational Leadership and Human Development
Undergraduate Programs
Special Education
Check the 4-year recommended plan of study under Special Education program:
Kinds of Courses You Will Take
University of Central Missouri Special Education Programs are concentrated around the Professional Standards and Competencies established by the Council for Exceptional Children, the largest professional organization for special educators in the world. Typical courses include:
- Characteristics of children with exceptional learning needs
- Assessment and diagnosis of children’s learning difficulties
- Prescriptive teaching techniques and instructional materials development
- Legal issues and collaboration with parents and service providers
- Counseling students and their families
- Writing and implementing individual education plans for students
- Advocating special education at the local, state, and national levels
Admission Requirements for Special Education Program
All students are assigned a faculty member in the Special Education Program as their advisor. The advisor works closely with each student to ensure that courses are taken in proper sequence and that admission to the program and student teaching occur in a timely fashion. Admission to the Special Education program entails the following:
Completion of a number of “core” foundation courses with at least a “C” or higher.
Completion of a minimum of 48 semester hours with at least 6 hours taken at UCM. An overall GPA of 2.5 is required.
- Approval by the faculty advisor.
- Successful completion of the College Basic Academic Skills Exam (C-BASE).
- Recommendation from the Special Education Program faculty upon successful completion of the program Interview Process.
Special Education Program Course Requirements
Students who are planning a career in Special Education have a number of specialization options at University of Central Missouri. These include Early Childhood Special Education, Severe Developmental Disabilities, and Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical Disabilities. Although each area of specialization contains course work that is designed to enhance the professional’s ability to work with children in each of these “categorical” areas, a number of courses are fundamental and are required of all special education majors as state certification requirements.
| Professional Education Requirements | |
| EdFl 2100 Found of Ed & Field Experience | Psy 4230 Psychology of Adol |
| EdSp 2100 Education of the Excep Child | EdSp 4395 Stu Teach in SpEd I |
| Psy 2220 Child Psychology | ICap 4468 Stu Teach Second II |
EdFl 2240 Educational Psychology |
|
| Core Requirements | |
| EdSp 4140 Collab w/Families of Exc Child | EcEl 2310 Computer Tech in Ed |
| EdSp 4360 Behavior Manage Techniques | EdFL 3210 Meth of Rdg Instruction |
| EdSp 4361 Prac. in Behav Management | EcEl 1310 Physics for Teachers OR |
| EdSp 4620 Eval of Abilities & Achieve | EcEl 1320 Biology for Teachers |
| EdSp 4700 IEP & the Law | Art 3910 Art for Elem Schools |
| HEd 4330 First Aid & CPR for Educ | Math 3890 Conc & Meth for SpEd |
| CD 4402 Lang Dev for the Handicapped | Math 4890 Math for SpEd |
| HEd 3310 Hlth Ed in the Elem School, or |
Student Organizations
UCM students have the option to join several student organizations that will provide opportunities for leadership development and involvement with faculty sponsors and service to the community and the special education profession. The UCM chapter of Student Council for Exceptional Children is one of the largest chapters of that organization in the state of Missouri. Other professional organizations such as the Student Missouri State Teachers Association and the International Reading Association are also available. Additionally, an abundance of social fraternities and sororities are on campus if you choose to belong to one of those groups.
Faculty
The UCM Special Education faculty consists of 6 full-time professionals who are all highly-respected members in their fields of study. All faculty have years of professional experience and are writers and researchers who bridge the gap between what is in textbooks and what actually happens in today’s classrooms. Because UCM has an “open door” policy, faculty members are available to you whenever you need advice, information or just need to talk to someone. At UCM, students ARE the reason we exist.
Accreditations
The Special Education Programs at Central are fully accredited by the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education programs (NCATE), the Council for Exceptional Children, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the Higher Learning Commission (formerly North Central Association of Colleges and Schools). Central Missouri has the only accredited degree program in Missouri for the preparation of teachers of students with Severe Developmental Disabilities.
Admission to Special Education Information and Application
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Special Education programs and the College of Education at UCM offer several student scholarships that will help defray the financial costs of you education. Additionally, if you choose to go into the special education field, there are federal financial aid packages that will enable you to get your entire education paid at NO cost to you. Consult a faculty advisor for additional information.
Special Education Scholarships (Special Ed scholarships are towards bottom of page)
College of Education Scholarships (for any education major)
Faculty
Contact Us
For additional information about the Special Education programs at Central Missouri, contact
Coordinator of Special Education Programs, Department of Educational Leadership and Human Development
UCM, Lovinger 4136
Warrensburg, MO 64093
Phone: 660-543-8497
Email: jneal@ucmo.edu
For information about admissions to the University of Central Missouri, please contact
Office of Admissions
1401 Ward Edwards
Warrensburg, MO 64093
Phone: 1-877-SAY-UCMO (1-877-729-8266).
Email: admit@ucmo.edu
