Special Education Teacher’s Certificate Program (BS)

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The Special Education Teacher’s Certificate Program (TCP) is designed to meet the needs of future teachers in special education. This Bachelor of Science (BS) program leads to qualification for Michigan teacher certification or to a degree in Education without certification.

The program consists of three phases that prepare students to teach in special education settings with an endorsement in autism spectrum disorder (AD), cognitive impairment (CI), or emotional impairment (EI). Emphasis will be placed on the special educator’s role in supporting students with or at risk for disabilities across universal design for learning, multi-tiered systems of support, and services for students with disabilities under IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. An Education academic advisor will assist students in the selection of courses each semester.

Phase I

This phase consists of preparatory coursework in education and academic subject areas.

Completion of the Dispositions, Attributes, and Proficiencies (DAP) Interview is required prior to application for Phase II.

Completion and acceptance of an application, which includes a felony/misdemeanor form, are required to enter Phase II. Applications are submitted the semester prior, due January 10 for Fall entry, September 10 for Winter entry.

Phase II

This phase includes a minimum of 180 hours in field placements in area schools, assigned by the UM-Flint Education Department. All field placements are the full length of the semester and end during the last week of the semester.

Completion and acceptance of an application, which includes a felony/misdemeanor form, are required to enter Phase III. Applications are submitted the semester prior, due January 10 for Fall entry, September 10 for Winter entry.

Phase III

This phase includes a minimum of 420 hours in field placements in area schools, including student teaching, assigned by the UM-Flint Education Department. All field placements are the full length of the semester and end during the last week of the semester.

Policies

A student who earns an unsatisfactory grade (i.e., a grade less than what is necessary for program credit) twice in the same required Education course, except for a course in student teaching, will be dismissed from the Education program.
A student who withdraws or earns a failing grade in student teaching twice will not be recommended for teacher certification. The student may still be eligible to receive a degree without certification if all other degree requirements are met.

Requirements

At least 124 credits, with a minimum 2.7 overall UM-Flint GPA and a minimum grade of B- (2.7) in each program course:

Phase I

Phase II

EDM 330 - Fractions are Numbers (3)
EDM 424 - Methods of Teaching Mathematics (3)
EDN 330 - Special Education Methods in English Language Arts, Social Studies and Related Topics (3)
Includes a minimum of 90 hours in a field placement, one day per week, along with a weekly seminar
EDN 332 - Methods in Prevention and Intensive Intervention within Tiered Systems (3)
Includes a minimum of 90 hours in a field placement, one day per week, along with a weekly seminar
EDN 333 - School-Based Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
EDN 340 - Special Education Law and Documents (3)
EDN 341 - Ancillary Services in Education (3)
EDR 440 - Literacy Assessment and Methods (PK-6) (3)
IES 350 - Assessment in Education (3)

Phase III

EDN 460 - Apprenticeship Field Experience (3)
Includes a minimum of 120 hours in a field placement, one day per week, along with a weekly seminar
EDN 441 - Data Analysis Methods for Special Education (3)
EDN 442 - Special Education Methods in Science, Math & Related Topics (3)
EDN 443 - Special Educator Self-efficacy and Well-being (3)
EDN 480 - Independent Study in Special Education (1-3)
EDN 499 - Student Teaching Seminar Across CI/EI/AD (3)
IES 469 - Student Teaching (9)

Non-Certification Track

Students making this choice will work with an advisor to select courses and create a course of study to complete a Bachelor of Science in Education without certification.

Additional Requirements

All requirements of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education (CASE) Bachelor of Science degree, including General Education requirements and University of Michigan-Flint graduation requirements
Minimum 2.7 UM-Flint GPA, required for progression between phases and completion of the program
Completion of the Dispositions, Attributes and Proficiencies (DAP) Interview prior to Phase II
Approved applications for the start of Phase II and Phase III
Background checks at multiple points throughout the program
Assessment of professional dispositions, a minimum of four times during the program. Those who do not meet dispositional expectations may be required to fulfill a professional development plan and/or may be removed from the program.

Note

Prospective candidates should also study the section entitled Information for Teacher Certification.

Minimum Credits for the Degree: 124 credits

Honors Program

All bachelor-degree-seeking students with GPAs of 3.5 or higher are eligible to apply to the University of Michigan-Flint Honors Program . Please contact the Honors Program Manager or the Honors Program Director for further information.