Special Education

Major Map: B.A. Special Education

The philosophy of the special education program reflects the belief that all students are unique, differing from one another intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically, and can learn in the least restrictive environment in accordance with special education rules, regulations, and guidelines, the program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in special education or licensure in special education. The program is designed with a focus on urban education to prepare teachers, supervisors, and support staff.

The program goals are to:

  • Prepare teachers, supervisors, and supportive staff, to develop and implement an integrated curriculum in the regular classroom;
  • Serve as a consultant to regular classroom teachers of various disciplines and grade levels;
  • Provide additional instruction in resource rooms or other settings.

Program Objective

To provide a competency-based Teacher Educator Preparation Program through courses and experience designed to prepare competent facilitators of learning with a multicultural perspective to serve in both public and private settings. These courses and experiences provide the students with the requirements established by the Tennessee State Department of Education for Exceptional Learning Special Education.

 

Special Education K-8 Balance Sheet Special Education 6-12 Balance Sheet Special Education & Education Certification Course Sequence

GET THE COURSES YOU NEED K-8

Fall Semester [16 credits]

CORE 100 New Student Orientation [1 credit]

CSCI 100 Introduction to Computing [3 credits]

CORE 150 Composition I [3 credits]

CORE 131 Mathematics [3 credits]

FREN OR SPAN 101 Elementary I French or Spanish [3 credits]

PSY 180 General Psychology [3 credits]

 

Spring Semester [15 credits]

CORE 120 Critical Thinking [2 credits]

CORE 160 Composition II & Oral Communication [3 credits]

FREN or SPAN 102 Elementary II French or Spanish [3 credits]

EDUC 100 Health and Physical Activity [3 credits]

EDUC 250 Fundamental Responsibilities of Teaching [1 credit]

SPED 210 Introduction to Special Education [3 credits]

 

Fall Semester [16 credits]

CORE 100 New Student Orientation [1 credit]

CSCI 100 Introduction to Computing [3 credits]

CORE 150 Composition I [3 credits]

CORE 131 Mathematics [3 credits]

FREN OR SPAN 101 Elementary I French or Spanish [3 credits]

PSY 180 General Psychology [3 credits]

 

Spring Semester [15 credits]

CORE 120 Critical Thinking [2 credits]

CORE 160 Composition II & Oral Communication [3 credits]

FREN or SPAN 102 Elementary II French or Spanish [3 credits]

EDUC 100 Health and Physical Activity [3 credits]

EDUC 250 Fundamental Responsibilities of Teaching [1 credit]

SPED 210 Introduction to Special Education [3 credits]

 

Fall Semester [16 credits]

CORE 201 Introduction to Business and Entrepreneurship [3 credits]

General Electives [7 credits]

EDUC 320 Elementary Curriculum Methods I [3 credits]

Cultural Exposure: ART, HIS, MUS, SOJ, SOC, SW, ENG, VMSPC, VWGS [3 credits]

 

 

 

 

Spring Semester [15 credits]

CORE 132 Mathematics II [3 credits]

EDUC 330 Elementary Curriculum Methods II [3 credits]

SPED  400 Procedures for Teaching the Gifted [3 credits]

SPED  410 Assessment in Special Education [3 credits]

SPED  420 Integrating Technology in Special Education [3 credits]

Fall Semester [15 or 16 credits]

CORE 360 The World and Its Peoples [3 credits]

General Elective [3 or 4 credits]

MATH 200 Teaching Math in the Elementary School [3 credits]

SPED 311 Nature of the Learning Disabled Child [3 credits]

SPED 350 Techniques and Strategies (Modified) [3 credits]

 

Spring Semester [12 credits]

EDUC 410 Elementary Education Seminar I [3 credits]

SPED  480 Student Teaching Exceptional Children [9 credits

GET THE COURSES YOU NEED 6-12

Fall Semester [16 credits]

CORE 100 New Student Orientation [1 credit]

CSCI 100 Introduction to Computing [3 credits]

CORE 150 Composition I [3 credits]

CORE 131 Mathematics [3 credits]

FREN OR SPAN 101 Elementary I French or Spanish [3 credits]

PSY 180 General Psychology [3 credits]

 

Spring Semester [15 credits]

CORE 120 Critical Thinking [2 credits]

CORE 160 Composition II & Oral Communication [3 credits]

FREN or SPAN 102 Elementary II French or Spanish [3 credits]

General Electives [3 credits]

EDUC 250 Fundamental Responsibilities of Teaching [1 credit]

SPED 210 Introduction to Special Education [3 credits]

 

Fall Semester [15 or 16 credits]

CORE 240 Natural Science [3 credits] or Course with a Lab [3/1 credits]

EDUC 260 Theory and Practice of Teaching [3 credits]

SPED 270 Professional Aspects of Special Education [3 credits]

SPED 360 Managing Inappropriate Classroom Behaviors [3 credits]

PSY 205 Child & Adolescent Development [3 credits]

 

Spring Semester [15 credits]

CORE 220 Creative Arts [3 credits]

CORE 260 Humanities [3 credits]

EDUC 248 Educational Psychology [3 credits]

SPED 280 Professional Aspects of Special Education [3 credits]

EDUC 360 Teaching Reading in the Elementary School [3 credits]

Fall Semester [16 credits]

CORE 201 Introduction to Business and Entrepreneurship [3 credits]

General Electives [7 credits]

EDUC 340 Secondary Curriculum Methods I [3 credits]

Cultural Exposure: ART, HIS, MUS, SOJ, SOC, SW, ENG, VMSPC, VWGS [3 credits]

 

Spring Semester [15 credits]

CORE 132 Mathematics II [3 credits]

EDUC 350 Secondary Curriculum Methods II [3 credits]

SPED  400 Procedures for Teaching the Gifted [3 credits]

SPED  410 Assessment in Special Education [3 credits]

SPED  420 Integrating Technology in Special Education [3 credits]

Fall Semester [16 credits]

CORE 360 The World and Its Peoples [3 credits]

General Electives [6 - 7 credits]

SPED 311 Nature of the Learning Disabled Child [3 credits]

SPED 350 Techniques and Strategies (Modified) [3 credits]

 

Spring Semester [12 credits]

EDUC 460 Secondary Education Seminar I [3 credits]

SPED  480 Student Teaching Exceptional Children [9 credits]

GET RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

  • Meet with advisor-discuss issues, concerns, and plans.
  • Discuss internship possibilities and opportunities with your academic advisor and the Office of Career Planning and Development.
  • Create a resume and go to Career Planning and Development for review of your resume.
  • Attend Art Lectures on campus and in the community, workshops, and master classes in related fields to gain further particle.
  • Interview art professionals in your field of interest.
  • Research volunteer work (paid or unpaid) to gain related experience (Master Artist/Apprentice Program (MAAP).
  • Select part-time jobs in field of interest.
  • Join Tanner Art Society.
  • Create art works to submit for Annual Student Exhibit.
  • Research conferences of professional associations.
  • Volunteer with Fisk's Galleries and or other local art non-for-profit organization.
  • Attend a study aboard session and start any necessary paper work to obtain a passport.
  • Visit art galleries and museums.
  • Meet with advisor-discuss issues, concerns and plans.
  • Update your resume.
  • Meet with staff in Career Services to identify potential internships.
  • Attend Career Fair on campus..
  • Attend Art Lectures on campus and in the community, workshops in related fields to gain further particle.
  • Obtain an internship (Summer/Fall) in field of interest (Master Artist/Apprentice Program (MAAP)
  • Conduct informational interviews with professionals in your area of interest.
  • Select part-time jobs in field of interest.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations (College of Art Association, The American Association of Architectural Students, American institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) etc.)
  • Investigate graduate programs.
  • Join Tanner Art Society.
  • Create art works to submit for Annual Student Exhibit.
  • Build personal portfolio.
  • Volunteer with Fisk's Galleries and or other local art non-for-profit organization.
  • Attend a study aboard session (consider studying aboard in your junior year) and start any necessary paper work to obtain a passport Visit art galleries and museums.
  • Meet with advisor-discuss issues, concerns, and plans.
  • Update your resume and review it with Career Services.
  • Consider taking Art 400/Independent Study, to gain creative work experience and college credit.
  • Meet with staff in Career Services to identify potential internships.
  • Apply for a summer art residency.
  • Attend Art Lectures on campus and in the community, workshops in related fields to gain further particle.
  • Submit art work for Annual Student Exhibit and local shows.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations (College of Art Association, The American Association of Architectural Students, American institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) etc.).
  • Volunteer with Fisk's Galleries and or local art non-for-profit organization
  • Interview professionals in field of interest.
  • Attend a study aboard session (consider studying aboard in your junior year) and start any necessary paper work to obtain a passport Volunteer with Fisk's Galleries and or local art non-for-profit organization.
  • Visit art galleries and museums.
  • Begin asking professor for possible letters of recommendation for graduate schools etc.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations (College of Art Association, The American Association of Architectural Students, American institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) etc.).
  • Meet with advisor-discuss issues, concerns, and plans
  • Update your resume.
  • Apply for graduate programs.
  • Apply for a summer art residency.
  • Attend Art Lectures on campus and in the community, workshops in related fields to gain further particle.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations (College of Art Association, The American Association of Architectural Students, American institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) etc.).
  • Volunteer with Fisk's Galleries and or other local art non-for-profit organization
  • Visit art galleries and museums.
  • Obtain a passport.
  • Confirm letters of recommendations.
  • Artistic Portfolio

GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY

  • Participate in Service Day during New Student Orientation, Homecoming, and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses (e.g., Core 100) and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in Office of Leadership and Service for list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).
  • Participate in Service Day during New Student Orientation, Homecoming, and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses (e.g., Core 100) and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in Office of Leadership and Service for list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).
  • Participate in Service Day during New Student Orientation, Homecoming, and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses (e.g., Core 100) and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in Office of Leadership and Service for list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).
  • Participate in Service Day during New Student Orientation, Homecoming, and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses (e.g., Core 100) and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in Office of Leadership and Service for list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).

GET THINKING GLOBALLY

  • Begin foreign language course requirements (placement examination determines beginning course)
  • Begin planning potential study abroad (see staff in Office of Global Initiatives).
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Begin foreign language course requirements (placement examination determines beginning course)
  • Begin planning potential study abroad (see staff in Office of Global Initiatives).
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Finalize arrangements for study abroad (see staff in Office of Global Initiatives). Meet with advisor to ensure courses earned abroad will meet student course requirements for general studies, electives, and major.
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.

GET READY FOR LIFE AFTER GRADUATION

  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline specific sessions.
  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline specific sessions.
  • Research various career options available for education majors: schools (private/public/charter).
  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline specific sessions.
  • Research various career options available for education majors: schools (private/public/charter), education companies, training jobs, orientation/on-boarding careers, curriculum jobs
  • Attend Industry Expo or Education Expo to meet with graduate school recruiters.
  • Investigate graduate programs that fit your interest. Begin speaking with graduate advisors at these institutions. Begin application process to certain schools that may require it.
  • Design resume (seek counsel from advisor as well as Career Services)
  • Research potential funding for graduate school (scholarships and fellowships) with assistance from your faculty advisor and career development
  • Research various career options available for education majors: schools (private/public/charter), education companies, training jobs, orientation/onboarding careers, curriculum jobs
  • Attend Industry Expo and/or Education Career Fairs to meet with graduate school recruiters.
  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline specific sessions.
  • Participate in Graduating Senior Boot Camp.
  • Browse job listings: Higheredjobs.com, Chronicle.com, local school websites, Idealist.org; CareerOneStop.org; USAJobs.gov; CollegeGrad.com; state employment websites.
  • Apply to graduate programs and decide where to go.
  • Research potential funding for graduate school (scholarships and fellowships) with assistance from faculty advisor and career development

WHERE COULD I GO AFTER GRADUATION?

Business and Industry

special education, coaching, corporate education, disability services, public school, private schools, charter schools, human services, group homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, government, state, city, for-profit organization, nonprofit organizations, online organizations and abroad governments

Government

Instructor, trainer, curriculum, teacher, disability service, Elementary, Secondary, local city, State, Federal Departments of Education

Education

teacher, admissions counselor, college placement, advisor, education counselor, training specialist, teacher, facilitator, instructor (public/public school or corporate)

Research

teacher, admissions counselor, college placement, advisor, education counselor, training specialist, teacher, facilitator, instructor (public/public school or corporate)

Selected Job Titles of Fisk Special Education Graduates

Elementary and secondary school teachers, College admissions administrator, College advisor, College Residence Life, College Recruiter, Juvenile probation officer, Human services caseworker, Human resources trainer or on-boarding, Hospital administrator, Data analyst, Not-for-profit organization

Sample of Graduate/Professional Degrees earned by Fisk Special Education Graduates:

M.Ed, Ed.S.,J.D., Ed.D., and/or Ph.D. in the following: Education, Education Specialist, Education Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, Administration & Supervision, Public Health, Public Administration, Specific areas of endorsement by selection: Reading, Science, Math, Special Education, Library Science, STEM Education, Physical Education, and Curriculum Planning