Undergraduate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare for a career in special education?
It would help if candidates volunteered in the special education field at some point prior to attending college. This might help them decide on their disability area emphasis (LD, E/BD, DD, or P/HD)
In addition, we recommend that candidates take SPED 203 (sections 1 or 2) early in their SCSU careers. Undergraduate advisement is carried out in this course.
Do stumbling blocks exist that prevent some students from timely program and/or degree completion?
Yes. We recommend that students take the MATH 193 MATH 330 sequence as early as possible because MATH 330 is a prerequisite for entry into the Special Education program and some students put it off to the point that graduation is delayed.
Another potential stumbling block is the PPST or PRAXIS I (two names for the same basic skills [reading, written expression, mathematics] test). The PPST is required for ALL Special Education courses except SPED 200 and SPED 203 as well as for most education courses. Candidates do not have to pass the PPST until they are ready for licensure but they do have to take it. Candidates experiencing difficulty with passing either Praxis II or I can receive services from the Praxis center.
Should I take SPED 420 or SPED 421?
Candidates who wish to serve students with learning disabilities or emotional/behavioral disorders should take SPED 421. Candidates wishing to pursue careers in developmental disabilities (developmental/cognitive disabilities) should take SPED 420. Of course candidates can take both courses if they wish.
