Course Catalog

Special Education

Chairperson: Dr. Kimberly Weber

The department offers one degree with an optional concentration and one minor:

Bachelor of Education in Special Education

Board Certified Assistant Bahavior Analyst (BCaBA) 
Minor in Special Education

The Special Education Department offers a major and minor that emphasizes experiential learning in applied settings. Public, private schools, as well as a variety of non-school settings, provide students the opportunity to combine academic training with practical/career developing experiences. Candidates who earn the Bachelor of Education degree with a major in Special Education are prepared to work with individuals having mild to severe disabilities, such as learning disabilities, pervasive developmental disabilities, and behavior disorders. Majors seeking teacher certification take courses that focus on developing skills needed to function in a variety of classrooms including but not limited to resource, self-contained, and inclusionary. The Special Education Department also prepares candidates who plan to work in non-school settings like clinics, workshops, homes, etc. Courses for those seeking BCaBA certification are also an option. In addition, the Special Education degree is a great starting point for those seeking advanced degrees in behavior analysis, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, mental health counseling, school counseling, marriage and family counseling, and/or school psychology.

State of Washington teaching requirements indicate that certification in Special Education (SpEd) and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSpEd) are stand-alone endorsements.  Although not required, many candidates choose to add a second endorsement. Special Education students often add elementary, reading, early childhood special education, and/or ELL endorsements among others. Two departmental endorsements (SpEd and ECSpEd) may be earned through completion of the B.Ed. The Special Education endorsement permits teaching special needs students preschool through age 21.The ECSpEd endorsement permits teaching special needs student’s birth through third grade. Students seeking teacher certification complete courses beyond what is required for the major in order to meet program completion requirements. It is best to meet with your Special Education advisor to make sure you are taking the necessary coursework. All students majoring in special education who wish to become endorsed to teach special education in the State of Washington must:

1. Complete required coursework in line with the Special Education Major with a grade of C or better, including but not limited to EDSE 320, EDSE 306 and EDSE 406 (in-school practicum courses), and EDSE 480.

2. Take a basic skill assessment in each of the following categories: Reading, Writing, and Math by taking the SAT, ACT, and/or WEST B prior to being admitted to the certification program.  Those who have not completed this requirement are prohibited from student teaching.

3. Complete an application for and obtain acceptance into the teacher certification program.

4. Obtain and maintain WSP/FBI clearance throughout all field experiences including student teaching.

5. Create and maintain an eCertification PreResidency Clearance Account throughout the program.

6. Take the West-E/NES exam in Special Education or another endorsement area prior to student teaching.

7. Receive a C or better for all courses required for certification.

Candidates who wish to become endorsed in Early Childhood Special Education must complete all of the requirements above as well as the following:

1. Complete the series of four courses specifically addressing critical issues, background, and pedagogy for early development, methodology, physical development, and communication (EDSE 350, EDSE 351, EDSE 352, and EDSE 353) with a grade of C or better.

2. Complete student teaching in an Early Childhood Special Education classroom.

All Gonzaga University students may enroll in EDSE 101, 102, 150, 306, 307, 320, 335, 340, 344, 346, 406, or 407. All other upper division courses require official acceptance into the major or minor in special education. Acceptance and continuance in the major or minor are dependent on an overall Gonzaga GPA of at least a 3.00; a 3.00 average or higher in EDSE 150 and 320; a minimum of 3.00 in EDSE 320; a pass and positive evaluations in EDSE 306, 307, 406, or 407; recommendation by the advisor; and approval by the faculty in the Department of Special Education.


B.Ed. Major in Special Education: 38 Credits
Lower Division
EDSE 150 Psychology of Children with Exceptionalities 3 credits
Upper Division
One of the following two courses: 1 credit
EDSE 306 In-School Experience: Elementary
EDSE 307 Special Education Application: Children
EDSE 320 Applied Behavior Analysis 3 credits
EDSE 465 Classroom Management 3 credits 
One of the following two courses: 1 credit
EDSE 406 In-School Experience: Secondary
EDSE 407 Special Education Application with Adults
Three of the following five courses: 9 credits
EDSE 340 Special Education Policies and Procedures 
  
           EDSE 410 Precision Teaching (pre-requisite EDSE 465)   
EDSE 417 Assessment in Special Education
  
EDSE 451 Direct Instruction: Reading
  
EDSE 452 Direct Instruction: Mathematics
  
One of the following three courses: 9-13 credits
EDSE 495 Extended Application of Special Education Experience
EDSE 496 Special Education Student Teaching Practicum
EDSE 497 Extended Special Education Student Teaching Practicum
EDSE Electives: 101 level or above 9 credits
   
 

B.Ed. Major in Special Education BCaBA: 46 Credits
Lower Division   
EDSE 150 Psychology of Children with Exceptionalities 

3 credits
Upper Division   
One of the following two courses:  2 credits
EDSE 407 Special Education Application with Adults
EDSE 307 Special Education Application: Children
EDSE 320 Applied Behavior Analysis 

3 credits
EDSE 340 Special Education Policies and Procedures 

3 credits
EDSE 352 Language and Communication 

3 credits
EDSE 410 Precision Teaching (pre-requisite 465) 

3 credits
EDSE 417 Assessment in Special Education 

3 credits
EDSE 465 Classroom Management 

3 credits
EDSE 469 BCaBA Ethics in Behavior Analysis 1 credit
EDSE 470 Functional Analysis Seminar 3 credits
One of the following two courses: 1 credit

           EDSE 306 In-School Experience: Elementary 

  
           EDSE 406 In-School Experience: Secondary  
EDSE 495 Extended Application of Special Education Experience 9 credits
Electives 9 credits
 

Minor in Special Education: 23-24 Credits
Lower Division
EDSE 150 Psychology of Children with Exceptionalities 3 credits
Upper Division
One of the following two courses: 1 credit
EDSE 306 In-School Experience: Elementary
EDSE 307 Special Education Application: Children
One of the following two courses: 1 credit
EDSE 406 In-School Experience: Secondary
EDSE 407 Special Education Application with Adults
One of the following combinations: 3-4 credits
EDSE 320/ EDSE 320L Applied Behavior Analysis and Lab
 3 credits
PSYC 470 Behavior Analysis (Psychology Majors)
 4 credits
One of the following six courses: 3 credits
EDSE 340 Special Education Policies and Procedures
EDSE 410 Precision Teaching (pre-requisite EDSE 465) 
EDSE 417 Assessment - Special Education
EDSE 451 Direct Instruction: Reading
EDSE 452 Direct Instruction: Math
EDSE 465/EDSE 465L Classroom Management and Lab
Any two EDSE courses not yet taken (including elective courses)
 6 credits

EDSE 495 Extended Special Education Experience (180 hours)

 6 credits

B.Ed. Major in Special Education: 38Credits
Lower Division
EDSE 150 Psychology of Children with Exceptionalities 3 credits
Upper Division
One of the following two courses: 1 credit
EDSE 306 In-School Experience: Elementary
EDSE 307 Special Education Application: Children
EDSE 320 Applied Behavior Analysis 3 credits
EDSE 410 Precision Teaching  3 credits 
One of the following two courses: 1 credit
EDSE 406 In-School Experience: Secondary
EDSE 407 Special Education Application with Adults
Three of the following five courses: 9 credits
EDSE 340 Special Education Policies and Procedures 
  
EDSE 417 Assessment in Special Education
  
EDSE 451 Direct Instruction: Reading
  
EDSE 452 Direct Instruction: Mathematics
  
EDSE 465 Classroom Management
  
One of the following three courses: 9-12 credits
EDSE 495 Extended Application of Special Education Experience
EDSE 496 Special Education Student Teaching Practicum
EDSE 497 Extended Special Education Student Teaching Practicum
EDSE Electives: 155 level or above 6 credits
Lower Division
EDSE 101 Amer Sign Language I & Culture
3.00 credits
This course is open to all students regardless of major. In this fun, interactive class, students will learn how to correctly perform the manual alphabet, numbers, and develop a 750-sign vocabulary. Students will learn the syntax of American Sign Language and how it differs from other signing systems and spoken English. In addition, students will learn history of the Deaf and how it has shaped Deaf culture. This course will be conducted using a variety of instructional modes including but not limited to in-person demonstration/lecture and online reflection/discussion formats. This course partially fulfills Gonzaga's A&S language requirement. In addition to successfully completing this course (EDSE 101), EDSE 102 must be successfully completed to meet the language requirement.
EDSE 102 Amer Sign Language II & Cultur
3.00 credits
This course is designed to integrate a multidisciplinary approach in extending content regarding deaf culture, history, politics, popular culture, impacts of society and dominant culture, discrimination, etc. Students will also continue to advance to the intermediate low level or the Survival Plus level as specified on the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) rating scale. Students entering this class must already have successfully completed EDSE 101 or another beginning level American Sign Language (ASL) course or equivalent. This course partially fulfills Gonzaga's A&S language requirement. In addition to successfully completing this course (EDSE 102), EDSE 101 must be successfully completed to meet the language requirement or other approved content.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 101 Minimum Grade: D
EDSE 150 Psych of Child w/ Exception
3.00 credits
This course covers litigation and legislation affecting students with special needs, the basic handicapping conditions and how they relate to the education process. Basic remediation strategies will be discussed, as well as historical, medical, and psychological perspectives of the various disabilities.
EDSE 215 Registered Beh. Tech. Training
3.00 credits
This course is designed to meet the 40 hour Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training requirements outlined by the Behavioral Analysis Certification Board (BACB). Students will complete tasks and practice in the following areas related to the RBT 2nd ed task list (i.e., measurement, assessment, skill acquisition, behavior reduction, documentation and reporting, and professional conduct and scope of practice).
Upper Division
EDSE 306 In School Exp Elementary
1.00- 3.00 credits
Students spend 30 hours (per credit taken) assisting a Special Education teacher in an elementary or preschool level classroom. Placements are arranged through the instructor. Students are required to obtain FBI clearance prior to placement approval.
EDSE 307 Special Education Application
1.00- 3.00 credits
Students complete 30 supervised hours (per credit taken) working directly with the individuals with disabilities in non-school settings. Arrangements are made with the instructor.
EDSE 320 Applied Behavior Analysis
3.00 credits
The basic principles of learning and procedures of Applied Behavior Analysis are presented. Techniques of Behavior Analysis such as effective teaching of diverse populations, objective measurement, experimental design, evaluation, and social validity are discussed in detail. A variety of real-life situations are examined.
Concurrent:
EDSE 320L
EDSE 320L Applied Behavior Analysis Lab
.00 credits
This lab course is a co-requisite of EDSE 320. There are two primary components of the lab. One is to remediate and assist students with difficult concepts presented in EDSE 320 and the other is to focus on the development, implementation, write-up, and presentation of an applied research project.
Concurrent:
EDSE 320
EDSE 335 Autism
3.00 credits
This course presents the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Emphasis is placed on the various successful remediation techniques for children and youth.
EDSE 340 Spec Ed Policies & Procedures
3.00 credits
The legal and ethical questions regarding least restrictive environments (LRE) are examined in detail. Emphasis is placed on developing individualized education programs, communicating with parents and staff, and issues of due process. Recent research regarding LRE are reviewed.
EDSE 344 Psy of Child Behav Disorders
3.00 credits
This course examines various behavior disorders in children. The various viewpoints as to cause and remediation are outlined. Practical solutions to behavior and emotional disorders are discussed in detail.
EDSE 346 Tchg Std w/ Lrng Disabilities
3.00 credits
The various practical classroom techniques to measure and remediate learning disabilities are presented. The course focuses on techniques of practical use for the special and regular classroom teacher.
EDSE 350 Early Childhood Special Ed
3.00 credits
This course overviews the principles and practical procedures involved in integrated preschool services for children with disabilities. Applied experience is provided in an integrated preschool setting. Prerequisite: Admission to the program.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 150 Minimum Grade: D and EDSE 320 Minimum Grade: B
EDSE 351 Physical Development
3.00 credits
This course examines normal physical and neuro-motor development with an emphasis on methods for identifying and treating delayed or dysfunctional development. Applied experience is provided in an integrated preschool setting.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 150 Minimum Grade: D and EDSE 320 Minimum Grade: B
EDSE 352 Language and Communication
3.00 credits
This course examines the principles of normal language development as well as educational guidance for facilitating functional language development in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The focus is on intervention programs designed for enhancing generalization of functional language usage. Applied experience is provided in an integrated preschool setting.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 150 Minimum Grade: D and EDSE 320 Minimum Grade: B
EDSE 353 Dev of Child w/ Exception
3.00 credits
This course examines normal child development and etiology of exceptionalities from infancy through age six. History and philosophy of early childhood special education, as well as relevant legislation, are studied. Applied experience is provided in an integrated preschool setting.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 150 Minimum Grade: D and EDSE 320 Minimum Grade: B
Equivalent:
EDSE 345 - Taken before Fall 2019
EDSE 390 Directed Study
1.00- 3.00 credits
Topic to be decided by faculty.
EDSE 400 Tutoring and Proctoring
1.00- 3.00 credits
This course provides students the opportunity to work collaboratively and gives experience in teaching adults. Students may assume leadership roles and develop strategies for later application in training situations. In addition, teaching recently learned material reinforces the extension and generalization of their knowledge.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 320 Minimum Grade: B EDSE 320 Minimum Grade: D
EDSE 402 BCaBA Supervised Experience I
3.00 credits
This supervised practicum is designed to provide undergraduate students with 90 hours of applied experience to meet a portion of the required hours toward becoming a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA). Students are expected to complete all coursework in a timely manner and conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner especially when working with agencies/schools, supervisors/mentors, and individuals with exceptionalities.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 469 Minimum Grade: D
EDSE 403 BCaBA Supervised Experience II
3.00 credits
"This supervised practicum is designed to provide undergraduate students with 90 hours of applied experience to meet a portion of the required hours toward becoming a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA). Students are expected to complete all coursework in a timely manner and conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner especially when working with agencies/schools, supervisors/mentors, and individuals with exceptionalities."
Prerequisite:
EDSE 402 Minimum Grade: D
EDSE 404 BCaBA Supervised ExperienceIII
6.00 credits
This supervised practicum is designed to provide undergraduate students with 180 hours of applied experience to meet a portion of the required hours toward becoming a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA). Students are expected to complete all coursework in a timely manner and conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner especially when working with agencies/schools, supervisors/mentors, and individuals with exceptionalities.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 403 Minimum Grade: D
EDSE 406 In School Experience Secondary
1.00- 3.00 credits
The student spends 30 hours (per credit taken) working in a special education classroom at the secondary level with emphasis in math and reading.
EDSE 407 Special Ed Applictn with Adlts
1.00- 3.00 credits
The student spends 30 hours (per credit taken) working in environments serving adolescents or adults with developmental disabilities. Settings include group homes, sheltered workshops, supported work programs, and institutions.
EDSE 410 Precision Teaching
3.00 credits
This course deals with various assessment procedures, such as psychometric testing, teacher constructed tests, achievement tests, and observational scoring. Emphasis is placed on using assessments to identify instructional interventions that can be carried out in the classroom or clinical setting to remediate learning and behavior problems.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 320 Minimum Grade: B and EDSE 465 Minimum Grade: D
EDSE 415 Psych of the Child w/ ADHD
3.00 credits
This class covers the historical and present treatment techniques dealing with the child with attention deficits and hyperactivity in the classroom and at home. Various assessment devices to determine ADHD are examined. Practical procedures that can be implemented in the school or home are strongly emphasized.
EDSE 417 Assessment-Special Education
3.00 credits
This course deals with various assessment procedures, such as psychometric testing, teacher constructed tests, achievement tests, and observational scoring. Emphasis is placed on using assessments to identify instructional interventions that can be carried out in the classroom setting to remediate learning and behavior problems.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 320 Minimum Grade: D or PSYC 101 Minimum Grade: D
EDSE 427 Tchg Persons w/ Dev Disblty
3.00 credits
This course provides students with an understanding of state-of-the-science practices for serving individuals who have mental disabilities. The focus is on development of intervention within community, school, vocational, domestic, and social settings for both school-age students and adults.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 320 Minimum Grade: C
EDSE 432 CIS:
3.00 credits
The Core Integration Seminar (CIS) engages the Year Four Question: “Imagining the possible: What is our role in the world?” by offering students a culminating seminar experience in which students integrate the principles of Jesuit education, prior components of the Core, and their disciplinary expertise. Each section of the course will focus on a problem or issue raised by the contemporary world that encourages integration, collaboration, and problem solving. The topic for each section of the course will be proposed and developed by each faculty member in a way that clearly connects to the Jesuit Mission, to multiple disciplinary perspectives, and to our students’ future role in the world.
EDSE 450 Special Education Seminar
1.00 credit
The purpose of this course is to review and reinforce information regarding student with disabilities and the laws and procedures that govern their education. Candidates will enhance skills through a seminar format in accordance to the mandates of the 2004 IDEiA and its linkages to regular education teachers.
Prerequisite:
(EDTE 496E Minimum Grade: D and EDTE 495 Minimum Grade: D) or (EDTE 495 Minimum Grade: D and EDTE 496S Minimum Grade: D) or EDPE 495 Minimum Grade: D
EDSE 451 Direct Instruction-Reading
3.00 credits
This course covers how to teach special education and regular education pupils beginning through intermediate reading skills directly. Particular emphasis is placed on instructing teachers to use reading techniques which have had research supporting their effectiveness. Prospective teachers are taught how to teach, monitor, assess, and remediate various reading skills.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 320 Minimum Grade: B
EDSE 452 Direct Instruction-Mathematics
3.00 credits
This course covers how to teach basic mathematical skills directly to special education and regular education elementary pupils. Emphasis is placed on instructing teachers to use mathematical techniques which have research supporting their effectiveness. Prospective teachers are taught how to teach, monitor, assess, and remediate various mathematical skills.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 320 Minimum Grade: B
Concurrent:
EDSE 452L
EDSE 452L DI Math Lab
.00 credits
This lab course is a co-requisite of EDSE 452. This lab provides supplemental instruction and also remediation for students having difficulty with math concepts presented in EDSE 452.
Concurrent:
EDSE 452
EDSE 465 Classroom Management
3.00 credits
Principles and procedures are presented to promote effective classroom discipline and teaching in either a self-contained or resource center setting. Emphasis is placed on practical techniques that can be employed by one teacher.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 150 Minimum Grade: D and EDSE 320 Minimum Grade: D and (EDSE 306 Minimum Grade: D or EDSE 307 Minimum Grade: D or EDSE 406 Minimum Grade: D or EDSE 407 Minimum Grade: D)
Concurrent:
EDSE 465L
EDSE 465L Classroom Management Lab
.00 credits
This course provides supplemental information to benefit students taking EDSE 465. Content of the course includes APA format for project completion, computer instruction on creating graphs and tables, review of difficult content from class, directed information regarding action research, and ethical standards information.
Concurrent:
EDSE 465
EDSE 469 BCaBA Ethics in Behvr Anlysis
1.00 credit
This course was designed to provide undergraduate students an understanding of the expectations of ethical behavior required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and the Association of Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). This course covers content in all of the areas found in the "Professional and Ethical Compliance Codes for Behavior Analysis". Learning these codes is imperative when practicing as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) and provides guidance for ways to conduct themselves that highlight the highest ethical standards while focusing on client-centered ethical responsibilities.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 320 Minimum Grade: D
EDSE 470 Functional Analysis Seminar
3.00 credits
This course reviews functional analysis methodologies for systematically identifying environmental variables that serve to maintain aberrant behavior. The course includes a detailed overview of functional analysis procedures and treatment packages that can be implemented based on the results of functional analyses. Particular emphasis is placed on reinforcement-based interventions and dimensions of reinforcement.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 465 Minimum Grade: D
EDSE 480 EdTPA & Teacher Dev Seminar
2.00 credits
The edTPA seminar has been designed to provide candidates, during their student teaching term, an understanding of the expectations required by the state of WA/Pearson in completing this high stakes assessment. Emphasis is placed on practical aspects of completing the edTPA based on content previously taught in the SpEd program. Additional WA state required content is also provided in this course.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 465 Minimum Grade: D
EDSE 490 Directed Readings
1.00- 3.00 credits
This course is an individualized study based on readings approved by the professor. The student develops a selected bibliography.
EDSE 491 Directed Study
1.00- 3.00 credits
This course is an individualized study that is designed by the professor. Students follow a prescribed course outline.
EDSE 492 Independent Study
1.00- 6.00 credits
This course is an individualized study that is designed by the student in consultation with the professor. Self-directed learning in a selected area of interest is the process employed. Professor serves as resource.
EDSE 494 Special Projects
1.00- 3.00 credits
This course is an individualized study that is project-based. The study requires the practical application of educational theory. The project or a written report of the project is submitted to the professor for evaluation.
EDSE 495 Extended Spec Ed Experience
3.00- 9.00 credits
The Extended Special Education Experience (EDSE 495) is a field-based practicum designed to provide students with an intensive applied experience in settings focused on assisting individuals with special needs and/or organizations that support individuals with special needs. This course is designed to be taken in 3, 6, or 9 credits. The number of credits determines the amount of hours of service provided at the site (for 3 credits 90 hours are required, 6 credits 180 hours and 9 credits 270 hours). Students are placed in one agency/organization for the entire semester.
EDSE 496 Special Ed Teaching Practicum
9.00- 12.00 credits
This is the intensive field experience in which the student assumes the full responsibility of a Special Education Teacher under the direction of a University Supervisor and a Special Educaiton Mentor teacher.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 465 Minimum Grade: D EDSE 465 Minimum Grade: D
EDSE 497 Ext Special Ed Teach Pract
12.00- 13.00 credits
This is an intensive field experience which spans across the entire semester (13 credits). The student will systematically take over the responsibilities of the special education teacher under the direction of a University Supervisor and a Special Education Mentor teacher.
Prerequisite:
EDSE 465 Minimum Grade: D