Special Education General Education Curriculum: Instructional and Behavior Support Specialist (P-12), M.A.
Prerequisite Degree: Clear renewable certificate in any field of education.
Program Requirements
In addition to the graduate admissions requirements listed in the catalog, all candidates must submit three letters of recommendation that address potential for teaching students with disabilities. A passing score on the appropriate GACE Content Assessments is required for certification.
The following courses should be satisfied as soon as possible if not previously met and may be taken at either the graduate or undergraduate level.
(Cluster A)
| SPED 6602 | Characteristics of Mild/Moderate Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 6606 | Positive Behavior Intervention and Support for the Classroom | 3 |
| SPED 6607 | Single Case Research for Special Educators | 3 |
| SPED 6633 | Curriculum and Differentiated Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC 6638 | Advanced Assessment and Instruction in Reading | 3 |
| EDUC 6656 | Essentials of Collaboration and Inclusion | 1 |
| SPED 6684 | Advanced Strategies for Behavior Change/Functional Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| EDUC 7703 | Social, Cultural, and Ethical Perspectives of Education | 3 |
| SPED 7705 | Policies and Legal Issues in Special Education | 3 |
Cluster B, Elective courses: (6 hours)
Candidates may choose two of the following courses
| EDUC 6607 | Fundamentals of Learning and Cognition | 3 |
| EDUC 6628 | Literature for Children: Expanding Students' Reading Abilities and Interests | 3 |
| EDUC 6630 | Mathematics Methods in Education | 3 |
| EDUC 6632 | Language Arts | 3 |
| EDUC 6634 | Social Studies Methods in Education | 3 |
| EDUC 6636 | Science Methods in Education | 3 |
| EDUC 6639 | Exploration and Analysis of Reading Environments | 3 |
| EDUC 6642 | Critical Thinking and Creativity in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDMG 6645 | Advanced Teaching in the Middle School | 3 |
| EDSE 6660 | Advanced Studies in Secondary Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC 6685 | Characteristics of Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| EDUC 6686 | Instructional Methods for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| EDUC 6687 | The Autism Advisor | 3 |
| EDUC 6690 | Classroom Management | 3 |
| EDUC 7702 | Integrating Instructional Media and Technology | 3 |
| EDUC 7712 | Group Processes and Interpersonal Skills | 3 |
| EDUC 7770 | The Foxfire Approach to Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC 7721 | Characteristics of Gifted Students | 3 |
| EDUC 7722 | Assessment of Gifted Students | 3 |
| EDUC 7723 | Programs, Curriculum and Methods for Gifted Students | 3 |
(Cluster C, to be at the end of the program of study)
| SPED 7740 | Advanced Research to Practice | 3 |
| SPED 7780 | Capstone Seminar (with required portfolio exhibition) | 3 |
SPED 7780: This course is non-transferable and must be completed at Piedmont College.
Hours: 39 hours
After requirements for cluster A and B and appropriate assessment requirements are met, candidates may be recommended for the Special Education General Curriculum certificate, which prepares them to work in a consultative setting with a content teacher of record.
Program Completion Requirements:
- Submit and have approved an application for graduation the semester before graduation;
- Earn an overall GPA of 3.0 in all graduate courses attempted with not more than one grade of “C”; and
- Approval of Capstone (SPED 7780) with a passing score
- NOTE: Passing score on appropriate GACE Content Assessment examination is required for certification.