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2022-2023 University Catalog
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Department of Exceptional, Deaf and Interpreter Education

Bachelor of Arts in Education

Web Address:http://www.unf.edu/coehs/edie/

The undergraduate program in Special Education, Exceptional Student Education concentration prepares teachers with competencies necessary to produce achievement gains and desirable behavior changes in students with disabilities. Successful completion of the courses of study prepares the student for the certification exams in (ESE) exceptional student education. Students graduating in ESE are highly recommended to be certified in another content area such as PreK/Primary, Elementary Education K-6, Middle Grade, or the Secondary Education disciplines to become employed as a teacher in the state of Florida.

The undergraduate program in Special Education, Disability Services concentration, prepares disability services professionals with competencies necessary to produce gains and desirable behavior changes in individuals with disabilities in a variety of settings. Successful completion of the courses of study prepares the student who does not wish to obtain a teaching license, but would like to work with individuals with disabilities in schools and other agencies or settings in related positions.

The Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Education is designed to develop highly effective teachers who are equipped to work with students who are deaf or hard of hearing in a variety of educational settings. Pre-service teachers in the program will learn a comprehensive and balanced perspective of students' varying communication modes (sign and/or listening and spoken language), language and academic proficiency levels, use of assistive hearing devices (hearing aids or cochlear implants), family dynamics, and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Teacher education candidates must pass all parts of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam as an internship and graduation requirement.

All courses have field assignments. Students are expected to be proficient in the use of the computer for word processing and Internet access.

The program is blocked sequentially with some courses being offered once a year only; therefore, students are requested and encouraged to enter in the fall term. Before beginning course work, students must consult an advisor in the Office of Academic Support and Information Services, Building. 57, Suite 1300. (904) 620-3934.

The State of Florida mandates certification requirements for teachers. Students should see their advisor frequently to obtain appropriate advisement for current certification requirements. All students enrolled in College of Education and Human Services courses that require a field or clinical component are taught at a school site/professional agency and or require the student to complete work at a school mandated by state law to be fingerprinted and cleared prior to being permitted on elementary and secondary school campuses, or agencies. Students should be aware that noncompliance with fingerprinting requirements will result in the inability to complete course requirements. Contact the Office of Academic Support and Information Services for information regarding fingerprinting procedures.

Bachelor of Science in ASL/English Interpreting

Students may also prepare for a B.S. degree in ASL/English Interpreting. Students seeking to complete the B.S. in ASL/English Interpreting must complete their first two years of interpreting at an accredited and approved ASL/English Interpreting program; usually culminating in an A.S. degree and then transferring to UNF for their final two years.

Program Mission and Philosophy

The mission of the ASL/English Interpreting Program is to prepare entry-level practitioners who are capable of managing the intercultural demands and complex cognitive tasks for conveying dynamically equivalent messages between American Sign Language and English. The program strives to provide an evidence-based curriculum that instills strong communication skills in English (written and spoken) and American Sign Language (receptive and expressive). The program is based on core values of ethical reasoning and decision-making, critical thinking, and Deaf community alliance. In addition, we aspire to graduate students who consistently demonstrate interpersonal skills that reflect unconditional positive regard for all participants in the interpreting process and professional dispositions that embrace diversity, respect, equity, and equality of opportunity among the diverse language and cultural groups of the community. Program faculty members are committed to conducting and incorporating research in interpreting and interpreter education, receiving ongoing training on best practices in distance learning, and infusing the standards outlined by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education.

Minors

The Department of Exceptional, Deaf and Interpreter Education offers minors in:

Certificates

The Department of Exceptional, Deaf and Interpreter Education offers certificates in:

Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Deaf Education

The online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Deaf Education is designed for professionals (e.g., teachers, paraprofessionals) who are currently working with or aspire to work with DHH students but have not completed a degree in deaf education. In order to enroll in the program, students must have previously earned a bachelor's degree (in any major subject area).

The program does not guarantee certification to teach upon completion. However the content of the five required courses is aligned with the Florida's Deaf and Hard of Hearing (K-12) Certification exam and is designed to prepare students in the program to pass this exam. Some courses may required field experiences.

 

Master of Arts in Teaching in Exceptional Student Education

The graduate program in Exceptional Student Education will provide initial licensure for individuals with bachelor's degrees in other areas who wish to become teachers. This will bring individuals with life experiences into the classroom. The proposed program will address the needs of ESE teacher candidates to ensure they have the skills necessary to work with students with disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Critical ESE pedagogy addressed in coursework will include: (a) high leverage practices in special education, (b) universal design for learning, (c) special education law, (d) positive behavior supports, and (e) data driven instruction. In addition, the degree will ensure endorsement in reading and English learning for speakers of other languages (ESOL) as required by the state.

This major consists of a minimum of 30 credits of graduate study. The program of study is developed as a cohort model, beginning in the fall semester. Students will work in collaboration with his or her faculty advisor.

For admission into the Exceptional Student Education MAT graduate program an applicant must

  • obtain a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0 in the last 60 semester hours of their undergraduate degree program;
  • present three letters of recommendation (at least one from a current or former college professor);
  • submit a written intent or goals statement (statements should between 500 - 1000 words) indicating the area of interest the applicant would like to pursue and how this course of study would help them in their own professional development.

Students not meeting minimum criteria for admission may be considered for admission under the UNF/College exceptions policy. Please check with the program director or the office of academic advising for procedures on admission by exceptions. The program makes special provisions for admitting students with disabilities.

Note: All applications, transcripts, test scores, and supporting documents must be sent directly to The Graduate School, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224.

All students enrolled in College of Education and Human Services courses that require a field or clinical component and/or are taught at a school site are mandated by state law to be fingerprinted and cleared prior to being permitted on elementary and secondary school campuses. Students should be aware that noncompliance with fingerprinting requirements will result in the inability to complete course requirements. Contact the Office of Educational Field Experiences, (904) 620-3934, for information regarding fingerprinting procedures.

 

Master of Education in Special Education

The graduate program in special education prepares graduate students to assume positions as professional practitioners who work with exceptional individuals. Some practitioners become teachers in a variety of classroom and classroom support positions, while others serve in positions such as consulting teacher, behavior analyst, parent-infant specialist, or sign language interpreter. Practitioners may serve individuals with special needs ranging from preschool through adulthood. Additionally, they may work with the families of individuals with special needs.

The graduate special education program offers three concentrations.

  • The first concentration in exceptional student education is for students working toward initial state certification in special education.
  • The second option is a concentration in disability services designed for students interested in serving individuals with disabilities in general education classes or non-educational settings.
  • The third concentration is for students interested in specialization in applied behavior analysis

Majors in special education consist of a minimum of 36 credits of graduate study. The initial certification Master's degree program requires additional credit hours. An individually designed program of study for each student is developed by the student in collaboration with his or her faculty advisor. /

For admission into the special education graduate program an applicant must

  • obtain a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0 in the last 60 semester hours of their undergraduate degree program;
  • present three letters of recommendation (at least one from a current or former college professor);
  • submit a written intent or goals statement (statements should between 500 - 1000 words) indicating the area of interest the applicant would like to pursue and how this course of study would help them in their own professional development.

Students not meeting minimum criteria for admission may be considered for admission under the UNF/College exceptions policy. Please check with the program director or the office of academic advising for procedures on admission by exceptions. The program makes special provisions for admitting students with disabilities.

Note: All applications, transcripts, test scores, and supporting documents must be sent directly to The Graduate School, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224.

All students enrolled in College of Education and Human Services courses that require a field or clinical component and/or are taught at a school site are mandated by state law to be fingerprinted and cleared prior to being permitted on elementary and secondary school campuses. Students should be aware that noncompliance with fingerprinting requirements will result in the inability to complete course requirements. Contact the Office of Educational Field Experiences, (904) 620-3934, for information regarding fingerprinting procedures.

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Special Education Concentrations (Graduate Level)

Exceptional Student Education Concentration

The Exceptional Student Education concentration is designed for those students seeking initial certification as teachers of students with exceptionalities. The program of study is designed to offer graduate students the preparation needed for Florida state certification in exceptional student education, K-12.

Disability Services Concentration

The disability services concentration in special education is available for professionals who serve individuals with disabilities in special and general education and in settings other than schools. This concentration allows individuals to pursue graduate study in special education and in various cognate areas in education but does not lead to teacher certification. The program of study consists of a minimum of 36 credit hours and is individually designed.

Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration

The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) concentration is designed to prepare individuals to assume positions as professional clinical practitioners who work with exceptional individuals and are interested in behavioral assessment and appropriate interventions and in preparing for the BCBA or BCaBA examinations.

Master of Science in ASL/English Interpreting

The ASL/English Interpreting degree is designed for those students seeking advanced preparation as sign language interpreters. The University of North Florida's interpreting programs are committed to upholding the National Interpreter Educational Standards as formulated by the Conference of Interpreter Trainers. The master's degree is offered in a distance-friendly modality with online, three weekend-per-semester/online, and a five day summer session/online formats to accommodate students who do not live in northeast Florida. The program is developed in accord with current spoken and signed language research and target interpreters who aspire to become nationally certified.

Department of Exceptional Deaf & Interpreter Education Faculty

Undergraduate

Pamela Williamson, Associate Professor and Chair

Jonathan Antal, Instructor, ASL

Natalie Badgett, Assistant Professor

Maryrose Claussen, Instructor

Christopher Collinsworth, Visiting Instructor

Amber Cull, Visiting Instructor

Michael Fehlauer, Visiting Instructor

Shaqwana Freeman-Green, Associate Professor and director of ESE program

Caroline Guardino, Associate Professor

Mark Halley, Assistant Professor

Jennifer Kilpatrick, Assistant Professor

Cynthia Livingston, Clinical Assistant Professor

Karen Patterson, Professor, Provost

Deborah Reed, Associate Instructor, faculty in residence and director of Disability Services and ABA programs

Len Roberson, Associate Professor and director of ASL/English Interpreting Program

Sherry L. Shaw, Professor

Michael Stultz, Associate Instructor, ASL

Dawn Wessling, Staff Interpreter and Instructor

Graduate

Pamela Williamson, Associate Professor and Chair

Natalie Badgett, Assistant Professor

Shaqwana Freeman-Green, Associate Professor and director of ESE program

Caroline Guardino, Associate Professor

Mark Halley, Assistant Professor

Karen Patterson, Professor, Provost

Deborah Reed, Associate Instructor, faculty in residence and director of Disability Services and ABA programs

Len Roberson, Associate Professor and director of ASL.English Interpreting Program

Sherry L. Shaw, Ed.D., Professor