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"Degrees & Programs"

MTE/512

Teaching the Exceptional Learner

Online

Format

$1620

Estimated Tuition

3 credits

Total credits

6 weeks

Course length

Start when you're ready

Choose an upcoming start date:

02 Nov 2021

Enroll by 1pm Central: 29 Oct 2021 09:00:00 AM

Enroll by 1pm Central: 10 Dec 2021 09:00:00 AM

Enroll by 1pm Central: 04 Feb 2022 09:00:00 AM

Please Note: Attendance and participation are mandatory in all University courses, and specific requirements may differ by course. If attendance requirements are not met, a student may be removed from the course. Please review the Course Attendance Policy in the Catalog for more information.

University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

Teaching the Exceptional Learner

Course level: EDU Graduate

This course provides an overview of the categories of exceptionality for school-aged learners with special needs. The teacher candidate will focus on expressive and receptive communication skills and the recognition of individual learning patterns to utilize for the planning, instruction, and assessment strategies of diverse populations. Historical perspectives and information related to special education law and current policies and practices are examined. If you reside in California please click here to enroll in the California version of this course.  This course is not available for enrollment to residents of Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming and individuals who reside outside the United States.

Prerequisites

This graduate level course requires proof of completion of a Bachelor's degree. Be prepared to provide documentation during the checkout process..

What you'll learn

Course skills and outcomes

Week 1

  • Define terminology, acronyms, and language used in the field of special education.
  • Analyze federal and state legal structures governing programs for students with exceptional learning needs.
  • Examine public policy and its effect on educational issues regarding students with exceptional learning needs.
  • Explore the IDEA eligibility categories for special education.
  • Discuss major laws and principles that address student and parent rights pertaining to student placements.
  • Compare and contrast personal and societal attitudes toward learners with exceptional needs.

Week 2

  • Examine the social, personality, and learning characteristics of students with exceptionalities.
  • Discuss the history of learning disabilities and the federal definition of specific learning disability.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the special needs of gifted learners.
  • Explain the assets that a student brings to learning through cultural and family values, experiences,
  • and social interactions.
  • Explore the cognitive and language characteristics of students with exceptionalities.

Week 3

  • Examine the response to intervention (RTI) process used to determine a student’s abilities and functioning levels.
  • Analyze different models used for pre-referral, referral, and multidisciplinary evaluation processes.
  • Evaluate various types of assessment instruments used for determining special education eligibility.
  • Discuss assessment practices and current trends in administering, scoring, and interpreting test results.
  • Examine the individualized education program (IEP) process.

Week 4

  • Describe inclusion and ways to create a diverse classroom that is both supportive and emotionally safe.
  • Identify strategies that support engagement in learning for all students in the diverse classroom.
  • Explain service delivery options for students with an IEP.
  • Define related services for special education students.
  • Identify options for students who need assistive technology in the classroom.
  • Explore discipline procedures required by IDEA.

Week 5

  • Analyze instructional strategies used in adapting learning activities to individual students’ needs.
  • Evaluate instructional decision-making processes based on learner developmental levels.
  • Critique methods for student self-assessment and reflection.
  • Construct appropriate strategies to differentiate instruction while holding students accountable for complex thinking.
  • Evaluate the importance of understanding IEP goals and objectives when planning for instruction in a diverse classroom with exceptional learners.
  • Identify common testing and instructional accommodations or modifications for students with exceptionalities.

Week 6

  • Examine ways general education teachers can support the special education teacher to facilitate learner growth and development.
  • Design ways to collaborate with other school professionals that facilitate student learning through various co-teaching strategies.
  • Identify support services, personnel, agencies, and community resources available to facilities of students with exceptionalities.
  • Discuss the importance of school-to-family collaboration and communication for exceptional learners.

Prerequisite details

Prerequisites details

A prerequisite is required for this course. The purpose of a prerequisite is to ensure students have the knowledge and/or skills needed to be successful in the course. Students are required to provide proof of prerequisite during the enrollment/registration process.

To meet a course prerequisite requirement, a student must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Successfully completed the prerequisites course at University of Phoenix

  • Provide proof via transcript of completing a comparable course (at least 75% match) or higher level course with at least a grade of C at another institution.

  • Have a University of Phoenix approved Student Appeal on file with the University.

Prepare your documents

During the checkout process you will be prompted to provide proof of the requirement(s). If you completed the prerequisite at another institution, be prepared to upload an official/unofficial transcript.

Still have questions?

Speak to an enrollment representative.
(866) 354-1800

Speak to an enrollment representative.
(866) 354-1800

MON – THU: 5AM to 7PM MST
FRI: 5AM to 5PM MST
SAT: 6AM to 5PM MST

Why UOPX

Why take courses at
University of Phoenix

Accreditation that matters

We’ve been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org) or its predecessor for more than 40 years.

Real-world instructors

Learn from instructors who bring an average of 25 years of working experience to the classroom.

Affordable and potentially reimbursable

Our tuition and fees are competitive and fixed. Also, check to see if your employer will cover you for this course.

 

Next steps

Start a conversation about your future with an enrollment representative today.

Start a conversation about your future with an enrollment representative today.

Start chatting now

Transfer credit

Credit Transfer

Need to transfer credits to another college or university?

Before you enroll in a course, check with your school of choice to make sure they will accept our transfer credits and to understand any requirements or limitations. Then you can complete your course, and request your official transcript be sent to your school. That’s it!

How to request your transcripts

Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. If you have a question contact us at (866) 354-1800.

The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. Although our continuing teacher education courses are accepted by some state agencies in the United States toward teacher certifications and endorsements, this may not be the case in all states or foreign jurisdictions. If you plan to use courses for certification or endorsement, please check with your own state agency and your school district for applicability. Continuing teacher education courses are not eligible to apply to degree programs at University of Phoenix. These courses are not eligible for federal financial aid. Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative. If you have a question contact us at (866) 354-1800.

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