SPECIAL EDUCATION: Deaf Studies and Exceptional Student Education

 

Mission Statement

 

UNF graduates from the B.A.E program in Special Education prepares teacher candidates to become highly skilled teachers of students with disabilities.

 

The core learning objectives of the Special Education program are aligned with Subject Matter Content Standards for Florida Teachers, professional standards from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Council on Education of the Deaf, the Florida's Exceptional Student Education and Hearing Impaired, the College of Education and Human Services Conceptual Framework, and the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

 

UNF Special Education graduates will be able to:

 

Content/Discipline Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrate proficiency of the twelve Florida Educator Accomplished Practices; be knowledgeable of the Florida Sunshine State Standards and content standards.
  
  
• Demonstrate knowledge of learner-centered practices for individuals with exceptional learning needs.
  
  
• Develop skills in implementing a universal design, including accommodations and modifications for students with hearing impairments and varying exceptionalities.
  
  
• Develop knowledge of various areas of exceptional education and the implications for improving student learning.
  
  
• Demonstrate knowledge about implications of culture, language, and ethnicity among individuals with exceptionalities when planning educational placements and/or programs, and related services.
  
  
• Demonstrate knowledge about current national and state legislation and the impact on students with exceptionalities.
  
  
• Demonstrate knowledge of curricula and expected outcomes for students with hearing impairments and varying exceptionalities.
  
  
• Develop skills in the selection and use of technology to assist all students in learning.
  
  
• Demonstrate understanding of concepts and principles of behaviorism, social cognitive theory, information processing, constructivist views of learning, and motivation.
• Develop knowledge, skills, and dispositions to effectively manage the classroom environment.
  
  
• Develop knowledge and skills to design, assess, and implement instruction that is inclusive of special needs learners and speakers of other languages.
  
  

 

Critical Thinking Skills

• Use data, research, and theory for making instructional decisions.
  
  
• Demonstrate critical reflection and ability to make changes in practice and planning in order to impact positive learning outcomes for students with hearing impairments and varying learning needs.
  
   

Communication Skills

• Examine and become familiar with models of collaboration with other professionals, parents, and students.
  
  
• Use technology as a tool for teaching and communicating with students, parents, and other professionals.
  
  
  
  

Curriculum Map
Click on the image below to see in Special Education courses these Student Learning Outcomes are addressed:

Special Education Curriculum Map

 

Assessment Approaches

 

UNF graduates of the B.A.E program in Special Education will demonstrate mastery of content knowledge and teaching skills through proficiency on course embedded assessments, activities, and critical task assessments in core, major, and clinical experiences at a proficiency level expected of a teacher candidate. It is expected that teacher candidates apply knowledge throughout the program by demonstrating understanding, competence, and effective implementation of research-based instructional strategies. Assessment strategies include:

        Assignments and formal assessments to demonstrate knowledge;

• Class discussions, reflections, video tapings, presentations, and professional literature reviews and critiques to nurture professional knowledge and philosophy;
  
  
• Development of learning materials that facilitate children's learning experiences;
  
  
• Examination of case studies in order to understand and explore ways to address the variation of student, family and professional needs when working with children with hearing impairments and varying exceptionalities; and
  
  
• Extensive field-based experiences to strengthen professional skills.

Career Opportunities

 

For information on the many career options available to Special Education majors, go to What Can You Do with a Special Education Major at: http://www.unf.edu/dept/cdc/majors/specialeducation.html

 

For More Information

 

To learn more about the UNF Special Education Department and majoring in Special Education, go to http://www.unf.edu/coehs/degrees/sp/index.htm

 

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