Course Descriptions
This is intended as a general overview. For information on Contact Hours; Registration Restrictions; Prerequisites; Co-requisites; Special Fees; Registration Requirements; and other in-depth information refer to the UAA catalog for the year you were admitted into your program.
EDSE A212 Human Development and Learning 3 Cr
Emphasizes cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and communicative development of children and youth. Patterns and sequences of development are explored in terms of learning that is occurring in the home, school, or neighborhood. Students will become familiar with the major categories of disability. The information provided will be reviewed in relation to formal and informal school learning, including the need for accommodations, teaching, and curricular requirements and modifications.
EDSE A212L Human Development and Learning Lab 1 Cr Laboratory experience that extends the understanding of linguistic, cognitive, affective, social, and physical development of children gained from EDSE A212, Human Development and Learning. Includes observations in settings such as early intervention sites, pre-schools, elementary schools, and private and public agencies delivering to young children.
The following 2 classes are prerequisite courses for the Initial Certification Program
EDFN A303 Foundations of Teaching and Learning 3 Cr Extends understanding of cognitive, affective, and communicative development of children and youth and connects these to current research, theories, and practices in teaching and learning. Emphasizes learning theory, models of teaching and assessment, and curriculum planning as the foundation for a developmentally appropriate teaching practice for inclusive classrooms. Course includes field experience.
EDEL A426 Teaching Mathematics in Elementary Schools 3 Cr Methodology and materials used in the elementary mathematics classroom. Focus is on the mathematics topics typically taught in elementary schools and research-based methods for teaching.
EDSE A460 (old) Exceptional Learner 3 Cr
Introduction to the field of special education. Covers the nature and characteristics of various physical and mental exceptionalities included in the special education population.
EDSE A474 Special Children from Birth through Five 3 Cr Special Note: Candidates are expected to participate in experiences outside regular class periods (15 hours). Legislative, historical, and philosophical perspectives of early childhood special education. Includes principles and procedures for developing infant learning and preschool programs for children with special needs.
EDSE A482 Inclusive Classrooms for All Children 3 Cr Provides an in-depth understanding of concepts, strategies, and issues that surround supporting the needs of students who experience disabilities in the general education classroom. Field experience required.
EDSE A483 Language and Literacy: Assessment and Interventions 3Cr
Development, implementation, and evaluation of IEP's for students with language and literacy difficulties. Instructional procedures for designing and delivering reading instruction and writing in content areas that will include findings from brain research, emergent literacy, assessment, primary and intermediate decoding and comprehension strategies, and monitoring progress. Course includes field experience.
EDSE A610 (New) Clinical Assessment: Eligibility and Program Planning 3 Cr.
Provides practical, applied approach analyzing and synthesizing assessment for eligibility, program planning, and progress monitoring. Course includes techniques for formal and informal tools and procedures with a review of terminology and statistics. Emphasizes concepts related to assessment including response to intervention, culturally and linguistically diverse learners, academically diverse learners, and accommodations.
EDSE A610 (old) Assessment: Behavior and Learning 3 Cr. Techniques and methods for assessing students who have disabilities. Focuses on the purposes and assumptions of assessment, testing terminology and statistics, and the administration of formal and informal assessment procedures.
EDSE A610Y Assessment: Early Childhood Special Education 3 Cr Techniques for assessing young children with special needs and their families. Historical development, basic purposes and assumptions of assessment, testing and terminology and statistics, and the administration and interpretation of formal and informal procedures.
EDSE A611 Supporting Families of Exceptional Children 2 Cr.
Focuses on families of children with exceptionalities. Examines factors that impact school-parent relationships. Focuses on developing and implementing strategies to initiate and maintain positive relationships between families and the school.
EDSE A612 (old) Curriculum and Instruction in Special Education 3 Cr.
Addresses curriculum development and implementation for students with disabilities. Includes writing Individual Education Programs and using effective classroom management practices.
EDSE A614 Beginning Internship 3 Cr.
Field experience with children or adolescents who have disabilities in public schools and other school programs. Assignments vary across areas of teaching specialization. Includes weekly seminar.
EDSE A620 (old) Advanced Internship in Special Education 3-6 Cr
Supervised field experience with children and/or adolescents who have disabilities in public schools and other school programs. Assignments vary across areas of teaching specialization. Number of hours and weeks vary with credits.
EDSE A620Y Advanced Internship: Early Childhood 3-6 Cr
Supervised field experience with exceptional children in Anchorage area facilities. Assignments vary across areas of specialization.
EDSE A622 (new) Theories and Strategies 3 Cr
Provides in-depth understanding of best practices in instruction of students in special education. Links learning theories and learner characteristics to instructional strategies. Emphasizes inclusive educational settings and collaboration skills needed to work effectively with other professionals.
EDSE A622 (old) Educational Strategies in Special Education 3 Cr Presents advance material regarding instruction of children and adolescents with special needs. Reviews theoretical basis for selection of instructional strategies and includes specific methods for teaching individuals and groups in inclusive educational settings.
EDSE A622Y Strategies: Early childhood Special Education 3 Cr
Provides in-depth understanding of best-practice strategies in the field of early intervention. Presents concepts necessary to prepare candidates to work with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities and their families.
EDSE A623 Language & Literacy: Best Practices in Assessment & Intervention 3 Cr
Current research on literacy acquisition, assessment, and intervention. Emphasizes use of evidence-based practices in assessment and intervention. Identifies the link between language and literacy development and intervention. Considers academic, cultural, and linguistic diversity.
EDSE A624 Social Emotional Development, Assessment, Intervention 3 Cr
Current research in both normal and abnormal social/emotional development. Emphasis the use of research-based practices in assessment and intervention. Explores academic and cultural diversity in the social/emotional growth of students with learning differences.
EDSE A625 Teaching Mathematics to Special Learners 3 Cr
Provides assessment and instructional strategies in mathematics for teachers of students with disabilities. Focuses on standards-based instruction, explicit instruction, curriculum-based assessments, and preparation of students for high-stakes testing.
EDSE A632 Special Education Law: Principles and Practices3 Cr
Examines three federal laws that form the foundation of disability law: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Focuses on substantive principles that underlie procedural requirements. Includes due process issues and case law analysis. Includes best practices toward creation of a legally defensible Individual Education Program (IEP).
EDSE A633 Autism: Communication and Social Disorders 3 Cr Current methods for assessment and intervention for students with autism. Current issues and trends impacting educational practices are analyzed. Case study method used to make assessment and instructional decisions. Parent communication is emphasized.
EDSE A634 Support and Supervision of Paraeducators 3 Cr Review and analysis of the literature on utilization, support, and supervision of paraeducators. Special attention is given to the knowledge and skills needed by supervising teachers. Course includes the benefits and concerns regarding utilization of paraeducators, and common problems and solutions are identified.
EDSE A637 Inclusive Teaching and Learning in Secondary Schools 2 Cr.
Focuses on the inclusion of students with special learning needs and disabilities in the regular classroom. Attention will be paid to the philosophy of inclusion, compliance requirements, promoting inclusiveness, developmental, and instructional needs of students with special education needs, and the role of the secondary teacher in providing appropriate classroom instruction for all the students in the inclusive classroom.
EDSE A640 (old) Advanced Theories of Disabilities 3 Cr.
In-depth analysis and evaluation of theories regarding students who are identified as having disabilities. Emphasizes definitional and casual issues, characteristics of students and how their development and learning are affected by special needs.
EDSE A642 (old) Current Trends in Special Education 3 Cr.
Examines current trends and issues in Special Education and related fields. Provides a forum for candidates to develop positions on issues and develop knowledge in areas of professional interest.
EDSE A671 (old) Impact of Social Issues on Education 3 Cr.
Provides prospective teachers with a broad overview of social issues affecting students in American schools. The course will allow teachers to explore issues related to ethical behavior, their own rights and responsibilities related to the social and cultural backgrounds of their students, and ways to promote physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being.
EDSE A674 Families: Developing Parent Professional Partnerships 3 Cr.
Concepts and practices related to providing family centered services to families who have a member who experiences a disability. Professionals will be provided with an in-depth understanding of concepts and strategies required to develop effective parent/professional partnership.
EDSE A675 Supervision 2 Cr.
Provides a theoretical and practical overview of best practices in supervision in education, special education, and related services. The course provides opportunities to practice skills through interactive activities and case studies.
EDSE A676 Special Education Finance 2 Cr.
Focuses on sources and processes for funding special education and related services. Other financial management processes are included.
EDSE A681 Issues in Early Childhood Special Education 3 Cr.
Special Note: Candidates are expected to participate in experiences outside of the regular class period (15 hours). A critical study of theoretical and practical issues related to personal, curricular, cultural, political, coordination, and service delivery needs of young children who experience disabilities and their families.
EDSE A684 The Gifted Student 3 Cr.
Special Note: Alternate year offering Social, emotional, and educational problems of gifted students. Focuses on divergent and convergent modes of thinking; understanding of cognitive abilities; and characteristics and methods of working with the gifted student.
EDSE A685 (old) Young Children with Complex Needs 3 Cr Professionals working with families and their young children, who experience severe medical- complex needs, will acquire basic knowledge and awareness of medical, educational, and health issues.
EDSE A689 Special Populations of Gifted Students 3 Cr Topics will build upon the fundamental concepts addressed in EDSE A684 by focusing on the underserved gifted population including gifted minority students, females, students with disabilities, underachievers, and those in rural communities. The highly gifted and those who possess unusual creativity and talents will also be discussed.
EDSE A690 Advanced Seminar: Special Education 3 Cr Special Note: Intended for the post special education certification/master's student with field experience. The content of the course varies and it may be repeated for credit. Current issues of concern to professionals in special education and related fields. Issues include ethics, philosophy, multidisciplinary emphasis, assessment and intervention approaches, and new directions in the field of special education. EDSE A698 Individual Research 1-6 Cr As directed by graduate committee. EDSE A699 Thesis 1-6 Cr As directed by graduate committee.
EDSE A695D Advanced Internship in Special Education Administration
Field-based experience in the administration, supervision, and coordination of services for students with disabilities and their families.
EDSE A695E Advanced Internship in Special Education: Elementary 3-6 Cr.
Supervised internship in elementary school settings with children with disabilities. Special Note: Must apply by specified deadline - see advisor.
EDSE A695S Advances Internship in Special Education: Secondary 3-6 Cr.
Supervised internship in secondary school settings with children with disabilities. Special Note: Must apply by specified deadline - see advisor.
