Special Education, Minor

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The Special Education (SED) Minor provides students with the opportunity to explore issues of access and inclusion in K-12 education. SED minors will gain comprehensive knowledge related to valuing diversity and accommodating and supporting individuals with disabilities.

The Special Education Licensure Track Minor provides Education students with the coursework needed for the 282 Teacher of Children with Disabilities licensure in the State of Maine. The only additional requirement is either to complete a student teaching experience in Special Education or to be hired as a special educator and complete one year in this position before applying for official licensure. Education majors interested in the licensure track should talk to advisors early to discuss this option and the possibility of doing UMF’s 4+1 Special Education Master’s Program that allows students to complete their Master’s degree in one additional year of schooling, putting them at a competitive advantage in their chosen career field.

The Special Education Minor for non-education majors comprises 15 credits, as described below, and is open to students in any major.

Interested students must complete a Program/Plan Change Form with their advisor and document their intent to declare a Special Education minor. Applicants meeting the following requirements will be considered for admission (based on the enrollment capacity of the program):

Current GPA of at least 2.75
12 earned credits

Total Credits for the Minor: *

*Total depends upon the chosen track.
A minimum of one-third of the required credits must be earned at UMF for a minor to be awarded.

Licensure Track (24 Credits):

All of the following courses are required:
SED 210 - Assessment in Special Education Credits: 3
SED 215 - Specially Designed Instruction Credits: 3
SED 301 - Fundamentals of Literacy Instruction in Special Education Credits: 3
SED 315 - Collaboration for Accessible and Inclusive Instruction Credits: 3
SED 320 - Inclusive Program Planning to Support Students with Disabilities Credits: 3
SED 419 - Assistive and Instructional Technology for Universal Design Credits: 3
SED 429 - Individualized Positive Behavior Supports Credits: 3
SED 450 - Special Education Regulations and Practice Credits: 3

Non-Licensure Track (15 Credits)

Required courses:
SED 210 - Assessment in Special Education Credits: 3
SED 215 - Specially Designed Instruction Credits: 3
SED 320 - Inclusive Program Planning to Support Students with Disabilities Credits: 3
SED 450 - Special Education Regulations and Practice Credits: 3
Choose one of the following:
SED 100 - Introduction to Special Education Credits: 3
SED 301 - Fundamentals of Literacy Instruction in Special Education Credits: 3
SED 315 - Collaboration for Accessible and Inclusive Instruction Credits: 3
SED 419 - Assistive and Instructional Technology for Universal Design Credits: 3
SED 429 - Individualized Positive Behavior Supports Credits: 3
SED 300 is required for all Education Majors and may count toward the 15-credit non-licensure track minor. Therefore, students who are majoring in Elementary or Secondary Education will only take the 4 required courses to fulfill minor requirements if they are not seeking to add the special education endorsement to their elementary or secondary teaching license.

Learning Goals and Assessment Criteria

Learning Goals:

Explore issues of access and inclusion for individuals with disabilities through the lifespan. Use assessment to determine needed accommodations and modifications for supporting individuals with disabilities.

Implement accommodations and modifications and evaluate effectiveness using data.

Assessment Criteria:

For both the licensure track and the minor, a grade of B- or higher must be achieved in all special education courses to complete the track/minor successfully.