Childhood/Special Education All Grades Catalog

Special Education All Grades/ Childhood 1-6 (BS)

Department Co-Chairs: Marya Grande, Ph.D. and Kelly Harper, Ph.D.

INTRODUCTION

This major prepares candidates in Childhood Education which covers Grades 1-6 and Special Education (All Grades) which covers Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade for Students with Disabilities.  Coursework includes the pedagogical knowledge and skills to ensure that candidates are qualified to teach at these levels and in high needs classroom settings.  Many courses are infused with field experiences so candidates build skills as they progress through the program.  In addition, each candidate must take coursework as set forth in the Canisius University Core Curriculum and must also choose a 30 credit liberal arts concentration to ensure that they have the content knowledge necessary to teach children from Grades 1-6 in general and special education settings.

Licensure Disclosure

Canisius University cannot determine whether completion of this program would be sufficient to meet licensure requirements outside of New York State for the intended occupation. We advise you to contact your state licensing board or appropriate licensing entity to determine whether the program meets requirements for Professional Licensure in the state where you are located or the state in which you intend to pursue licensure. Please contact the associate dean of your school if you have further questions.

QUALIFICATIONS

Students must meet the requirements at all transition points in order to graduate with an education degree and be recommended for teacher certification. Please see School of Education and Human Services website for transition point requirements.

Curriculum

ECCH 221Emergent Literacy3
ECCH 222Literacy and the Arts in the Elementary Classroom (20 hour field experience required)3
ECCH 412Managing the Elementary & Secondary Ed Classroom3
EDE 100Human Growth and Development - Birth through Childhood3
EDE 390Cognition and Learning - Birth through Adolescence3
EDU 100Exploring the Teaching Profession3
EDU 122Technology in Education3
EDU 250Foundations of Education3
EDU 272Teaching Social Studies Integrating English Language Arts3
EDU 356Assessment for Diverse Learners3
EDU 428Teaching Math and Science: Supporting STEM Education3
EDU 494Capstone Seminar for Teacher Candidates3
EDU 495Child Abuse Workshop0
EDU 496Prevention of School Violence Workshop0
EDU 497Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Workshop0
EDU 498Student Teaching Seminar3
SPE 291Nature and Needs of Students with Learning Disabilities (20 hour field experience required)3
SPE 292Remedial Strategies in the Content Areas3
SPE 311Nature and Needs of Students with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders (20 hour field experience required)3
SPE 330Nature/Needs of Students with Behavioral Disorders (20 hour field experience required)3
SPE 341Inclusive Strategies3
SPE 432Seminar in Teaching and Assessment (50 hour field experience required)3
or EDU 432 Pre Student Teaching
SPE 493Supervised Student Teaching12
or EDU 493 Student Teaching
Total Credits69

Optional Extensions to Teach at Additional Grade Levels

MIDDLE CHILDHOOD EXTENSION

Candidates wishing to obtain an extension to teach grades 5-6 for Adolescence majors or 7-9 for Childhood majors in their area of concentration (English, Mathematics, Social Studies, or Spanish) must take EMC 352 and EMC 391 in addition to the courses listed. Please note that in order to obtain the extension, you must have at least 30 hours in the content area.

INITIAL EARLY CHILDHOOD CERTIFICATION

Candidates wishing to obtain a certification to teach grades B-2 are advised to take two early childhood courses that focus on learning and development and methods of instruction in addition to the courses listed, and apply for an individual evaluation of credentials through NYSED. Courses that students have taken in the past include EDY 208 and EDY 209. Please note that NYS also requires candidates to submit a transcript showing they have 6 credits each of Math, Science, and Social Studies. Discuss this requirement with your advisor to ensure that you will meet these requirements before applying for certification.

Additional Curriculum Requirements

Childhood majors need to choose one of the following academic concentrations: Liberal Arts, Social Justice,  English, Mathematics, Social Studies, or Spanish .

Liberal Arts Concentration 

English (6 credits in addition to the core requirement)6
ENG 218
Literature and Medicine
ENG 219
Literature and Psychology
ENG 223
Images of Women in Literature and Film
ENG 224
The Journey in World Literature
ENG 225
The Journey in American Literature
ENG 226
Social Justice in Childrens and Young Adult Literature
ENG 233
The Quest in Medieval Literature
ENG 294
Introduction to Creative Writing
ENG 299
Introduction to English Studies
ENG 315
American Literature I
ENG 368
Native American Literature
ENG 383
Advanced Academic Writing
ENG 390
Tutoring Writing
Mathematics (6 credits) 6
MAT 106
Calculus for the Non-Sciences
MAT 108
College Precalculus
MAT 111
Calculus I
MAT 115
Calculus for Business
MAT 121
Mathematics through History
MAT 131
Statistics for Social Sciences
MAT 141
Inferential Statistics and Computers for Science
MAT 150
Mathematics and Politics
MAT 161
Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
MAT 191
Discrete Mathematics I
MAT 219
Linear Algebra
MAT 222
Differential Equations
Science(6 credits) 6
ABEC 101
Introductory Animal Behavior I
ABEC 102
Introductory Animal Behavior II
BIO 111
& 111L
Introductory Biology I
and Introductory Biology Laboratory I
BIO 112
& 112L
Introductory Biology II
and Introductory Biology Laboratory II
BIO 114
& 114L
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory
BIO 115
& 115L
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory
BIO 121
Human Reproduction
CHM 104
Energy, Environment, and Society
CHM 111
& 111L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Laboratory
History and Social Sciences (6 credits)6
HIS 123
History of the United States: The Colonial Period to Reconstruction
HIS 124
History of the United States: 1877 to the Present
HIS 209
History of Asia to 1800
HIS 210
History of Asia Since 1800
HIS 235
From Jamestown to Yorktown: Making the United States
HIS 236
From Washington to Lincoln: The Making of American Democracy
HIS 255
African American History
HIS 264
Latin American History to 1830
HIS 265
Latin American History Since 1830
HIS 299
Historian's Craft
PSC 103
The American Constitution
PSC 104
American Political Process
PSC 111
Western Political Tradition
PSC 140
International Relations
PSC 150
Comparative Government and Politics
PSC 201
Race, Law, and Politics
PSC 233
Interest Groups and Public Opinion in America
PSC 224
Congress and the Legislative Process
PSC 225
U.S. Presidency
PSC 237
State and Local Politics
ECO 101
Principles of Macroeconomics
ECO 102
Principles of Microeconomics
Liberal Arts Electives (Can take a total of 6 credits from this list to get to the minimum of 30 hours for the concentration)6
Psychology
PSY 101
Introduction to Psychology I
PSY 201
Basic Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
Digital Media Arts
DMA 201
Introduction to Digital Media
Kinesiology
KIN 115
Nutrition
KIN 170
Emergency Care
KIN 205
Wellness and Fitness
KIN 220
Healthy Behaviors
KIN 361
Psychology of Sport and Mental Health
KIN 425
Evolution of Disease and Illness
Journalism
JRN 100
Introduction to Journalism
JRN 200
Multimedia Storytelling
Fine Arts/Music
FAM 122
History of Rock and Roll
FAM 123
World Musics
FAM 124
America's Music
Art History
FAH 109
History of Architecture
FAH 267
Frank Lloyd Wright
FAH 271
Art in Buffalo
Communicatoin
COM 201
Dynamic Presentations
COM 203
Writing for Contemporary Media
COM 205
Media Literacy
Sociology
SOC 110
Introduction to Sociology
SOC 111
Contemporary Social Problems
SOC 220
Identity and Society
SOC 341
Race and Ethnicity
Philosophy
PHI 240
Justice
PHI 246
Ethics of Technology
PHI 273
Race and Philosophy
Spanish
SPA 103
Introductory Spanish I
SPA 104
Introductory Spanish II
French
FRC 103
Introductory French I
FRC 104
Introductory French II
Total Credits30

Social Justice Concentration 

Foundations Course3
SOC 273
Social Movements and Social Change
Research Courses (select one of the following)3
EDU 303
Research Methods in the Social Sciences
PSY 202
Research Methods in Psychology
Skills Classes (select one of the following)3
COM 201
Dynamic Presentations
COM 203
Writing for Contemporary Media
COM 204
Relational Communication
COM 302
Strategic Communication in Teams
COM 319
Training and Development
PSY 329
Leadership and Motivation
Elective Courses (choose four from the courses listed below)12
COM 327
Impact of Culture, Race, and Gender on Message Design
COM 385
Media & Children
CRJ 337
Violence and the Family
CRJ 345
Gangs in American Society
HIS 211
Women In The Western World
IGSR 300
Immersion East Side Seminar
PSC 104
American Political Process
PSC 237
State and Local Politics
EDU 302
Children, Schools, and the Community
PSY 340
Stereotyping and Prejudice
SOC 111
Contemporary Social Problems
SOC 291
Gender and Society
SOC 340
Sociology of the City
SOC 355
Deviant Behavior
Math Requirement (3 credits)3
MAT 105
Finite Mathematics
MAT 106
Calculus for the Non-Sciences
MAT 108
College Precalculus
MAT 111
Calculus I
MAT 121
Mathematics through History
MAT 131
Statistics for Social Sciences
MAT 141
Inferential Statistics and Computers for Science
MAT 150
Mathematics and Politics
MAT 161
Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
MAT 191
Discrete Mathematics I
MAT 219
Linear Algebra
MAT 222
Differential Equations
Science (3 credits)3
ABEC 101
Introductory Animal Behavior I
ABEC 102
Introductory Animal Behavior II
BIO 111
Introductory Biology I
BIO 112
Introductory Biology II
BIO 114
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO 115
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
BIO 121
Human Reproduction
CHM 104
Energy, Environment, and Society
CHM 111
General Chemistry I
History and Social Sciences (3 credits)3
HIS 123
History of the United States: The Colonial Period to Reconstruction
HIS 124
History of the United States: 1877 to the Present
HIS 201
United States Military History
HIS 209
History of Asia to 1800
HIS 210
History of Asia Since 1800
HIS 233
America and the Holocaust
HIS 235
From Jamestown to Yorktown: Making the United States
HIS 236
From Washington to Lincoln: The Making of American Democracy
HIS 241
Women in American History 1880 to Present
HIS 264
Latin American History to 1830
HIS 299
Historian's Craft
PSC 103
The American Constitution
PSC 111
Western Political Tradition
PSC 201
Race, Law, and Politics
PSC 224
Congress and the Legislative Process
ECO 101
Principles of Macroeconomics
ECO 102
Principles of Microeconomics
Total Credits30
1

The list of courses provided here only includes active courses at the time this catalog was prepared.  Additional classes that are added by other departments might also be used to satisfy this requirement.  If you think a class should count, please contact the chair of the Teacher Education Department.

English Concentration 

Two 200-level literature courses6
ENG 299Introduction to English Studies 13
One American Literature course 23
One British Literature Course 33
Two writing courses 46
Mathematics Course Requirement3
Science Course Requirement 3
Social Studies Course Requirement 3
Total Credits30
1

Must take at least one 200-level literature course before taking ENG 299.

2

Choose from ENG 315, ENG 316, ENG 319 or ENG 396 (if the topic is American Literature).

3

Choose from ENG 233, ENG 305, ENG 306, ENG 308, ENG 309, ENG 322, ENG 323, ENG 347, ENG 370, ENG 373, and ENG 381.

4

Choose from EDU 205, ENG 294, ENG 342, ENG 383, ENG 385, ENG 388, ENG 389, ENG 390, ENG 392, ENG 393, & ENG 490.

Mathematics Concentration

MAT 111Calculus I4
MAT 112Calculus II4
MAT 219Linear Algebra4
MAT 230Logic, Set Theory, and Proofs4
MAT 311Abstract Algebra4
MAT 331Geometry3
MAT 351Probability & Statistics I3
OR
MAT 141
Inferential Statistics and Computers for Science
Science Elective 3
History Elective 3
Total Credits32

Social Studies Concentration  

PSC 104American Political Process3
HIS 107History of Modern Europe to 18153
HIS 108History of Modern Europe since 18153
HIS 123History of the United States: The Colonial Period to Reconstruction3
HIS 124History of the United States: 1877 to the Present3
HIS 209History of Asia to 18003
HIS 255African American History3
One European or Asian/African/Latin American History elective3
European History Options
HIS 213
Europe and the World in a Century of Conflict
HIS 220
The History of Food
Asian/African/Latin American History Options
HIS 210
History of Asia Since 1800
HIS 263
Wars of Latin America
HIS 264
Latin American History to 1830
HIS 265
Latin American History Since 1830
HIS 280
The Making of Modern Africa
Math Elective3
Science Elective3
Total Credits30

Spanish Concentration  

SPA 215Communicating in Spanish 13
SPA 217Intro Comp Panorama SocioCultural Latinoamericano 13
SPA 323Topics in Conversation I Peninsular Culture and Civilization3
SPA 324Topics in Conversation II Latin American Culture and Civilization3
SPA 332Advanced Spanish Composition3
Two Advanced-Level Spanish Classes (any SPA class at 300 or 400 level)6
Mathematics Course Requirement3
Science Course Requirement3
Social Studies Course Requirement 3
Total Credits30
1

Students who begin language study at the 300-level may substitute additional electives in lieu of the intermediate (200) level courses.  Thus, students still will take 10 courses for the concentration.

Roadmap

Freshman
FallSpring
EDE 100ECCH 221 (may be used to apply to NYSED or BOCES for early childhood certification)
EDU 100SPE 341
EDU 122EDY 208 (Optional - may be used to apply to NYSED or BOCES for early childhood certification)
Sophomore
FallSpring
EDU 250SPE 291
EDU 495SPE 292
EDU 496EDU 272
ECCH 222 
EDY 209 (Optional - may be used to apply to NYSED or BOCES for early childhood certification) 
EMC 391 (Optional - needed for middle school extension) 
Junior
FallSpring
SPE 311SPE 330
EDU 356ECCH 412
EDE 390EMC 352 (Optional - needed for middle childhood extension)
Senior
FallSpring
SPE 432SPE 493
EDU 428EDU 497
EDU 494EDU 498

Courses

SPE 291 Nature and Needs of Students with Learning Disabilities 3 Credits

Describes the effect of mild disabilities from PreK-Grade 12. Focuses on collaborative strategies for parental involvement. Highlights the CSE process, placement options, and instructional strategies in grades PreK-12. Requires a twenty hour field placement.

Corequisite: SPE 292.

Offered: every spring.

SPE 292 Remedial Strategies in the Content Areas 3 Credits

Describes appropriate techniques and materials for instruction to students with disabilities and those at risk of failure. Emphasizes assistive technology for students in classrooms across the continuum of services.

Corequisite: SPE 291.

Offered: every spring.

SPE 311 Nature and Needs of Students with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders 3 Credits

Describes effects of intellectual disabilities and other developmental Disabilities on both the childhood and adolescent levels. Focuses on collaborative strategies for parental involvement. Highlights instructional strategies across the continuum of services. Emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to meet the learning needs of students with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Requires 20 hours field placement.

Prerequisites: SPE 291 & SPE 292.

Offered: every fall.

SPE 330 Nature/Needs of Students with Behavioral Disorders 3 Credits

Describes the effect of emotional and behavioral disorders on children, adolescents and young adults, and their families. Highlights NYSED regulations, collaboration, and instructional strategies to address academic and behavioral issues. This course requires a twenty-hour field placement.

Prerequisites: SPE 311 & EDU 356. Corequisite: ECCH 412.

Offered: every spring.

SPE 341 Inclusive Strategies 3 Credits

Provides an overview of special education, including current trends. Addresses successful strategies to support students with disabilities in the general education classroom. Examines the empirical basis of methods utilized to meet the New York State Learning Standards and emphasizes collaboration to meet the diverse needs of all learners.

Fulfills College Core: Diversity

Offered: every fall, spring, & summer.

SPE 356 Assessment for Diverse Learners 3 Credits

Addresses the process of identifying, assessing, and diagnosing students with disabilities as well as how to select and administer formal and informal assessments (i.e. standardized tests, curriculum-based assessment, norm-referenced, criterion-referenced assessment, and alternative methods of evaluation). Highlights use of assessment results to promote decisions in planning, teaching, and evaluating for instructional program improvements for students with exceptionalities.

Offered: every fall.

SPE 432 Seminar in Teaching and Assessment 3 Credits

Preparation for student teaching. Includes practica and seminars that focus on professional reflection and topics related to classroom management, increasing family involvement, teaching to higher standards and assessment from the PreK-12 level. Addresses objectives, curriculum, strategies, materials and evaluation necessary for the science of teaching. Emphasizes content, inquiry skills, problem solving and scientific attitude highlighting the NY State Standards. Requires the teaching of lessons across all content areas during 50 hours of field experience.

Fulfills College Core: Oral Communication

Offered: every fall.

SPE 493 Supervised Student Teaching 12 Credits

Highlights knowledge, skills and dispositions of professional educators. One full-time 7-week placement in each childhood and special education-childhood classroom requires candidates to become the instructional reader under the supervision of cooperating teachers and college faculty.

Prerequisite: signature, minimum GPA of 2.70, minimum grade of C in each required education course, some schools may require certain health tests. Corequisite: EDU 497.

Offered: every spring.

SPE 499 Independent Study 3 Credits

Independent studies require an application and approval by the associate dean.

Prerequisite: permission of the instructor, department chair, & associate dean.