Undergraduate Programs
B.S. Degree in Special Education / Description
Transition Points
Transition point 1. Candidates who have completed their general education requirements, have completed SPED 200, SPED 203, SPED 420 (or SPED 421), SPED 431, CDIS 468, MATH 330, and CEEP 262 with a C or better and who maintain a 2.50 GPA are eligible for admission to Junior Block (JB). This generally occurs during the second semester of a candidate's junior year. Application to JB (available in the main Special Education Office, EB 211) must be submitted either by March 15 for fall JB or by October 15 for spring JB.
While taking the "preliminary" education courses at St. Cloud State , candidates must consider the disability categories that appear to be the best fit for the candidate's personality and interests. The choices are Learning Disabilities, Emotional & Behavioral Disorders, and Developmental Disabilities. Coursework for certification in Physical/Health Disabilities can only be pursued at the graduate level.
Candidates selecting either LD or E/BD must take SPED 421 (Characteristics: LD & E/BD). Candidates for licensure in DD must take SPED 420 (Characteristics: DD & P/HD). Undecided candidates may elect to take both courses.
Transition point 2. Candidates who successfully complete JB courses (meaning hat they earn a C or better) and who maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.65 or greater may apply for Senior Block (SB). Application deadlines for SB are the same as those for JB.
Transition point 3. Those individuals earning a C or better in SB and who maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.65 or greater may apply for the third transition point, "admission to student teaching." Students who have completed all prerequisite requirements (general education courses, preliminary education courses, JB courses, and SB courses) and who maintain a 2.65 (or greater GPA) may apply for permission to student teach.
Learning Disabilities Student Teaching. During student teaching candidates for licensure in LD take SPED 480, SPED 481 (Student Teaching), an LD Methods Course (SPED 446), and SPED 490 (Senior Seminar).
Emotional & Behavioral Disorders Student Teaching. During student teaching candidates for licensure in E/BD take SPED 470, SPED 471 (Student Teaching), an E/BD Methods Course (SPED 422), and SPED 490 (Senior Seminar).
Developmental Disabilities Student Teaching. During student teaching candidates for licensure in DD take SPED 460, SPED 461 (Student Teaching), a DD Methods Course (SPED 447), and SPED 490 (Senior Seminar).
Transition point 4. Students who successfully complete student teaching and all other requirements may apply for graduation from St. Cloud State.
