Learning Disabilities (SM)
Students wishing to obtain an endorsement to teach children with learning disabilities must possess a valid teaching certificate and complete or show a record of completion of the state mandated objectives addressed in the courses listed below.
Students teaching under a temporary/emergency permit must take a minimum of six (6) credits between September 1 and August 31 each year from the courses listed below. Additional courses for the Master of Arts in Teaching Degree in Special Education should only be taken after successful completion of the student’s selected endorsement program.
Support Core (9 credits required):
| PSYC 310 | Child Psychology | 3 crs. 3 crs. |
| and | Psychology of Learning | 3 crs. |
| TE 516 | Classroom Management Techniques for Effective Instruction | 3 crs. |
Special Education Core (13 credits required)
| TE 430 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 crs. |
| TE 532 | Assessment and Planning in Special Education | 3 crs. |
| TE 541 | Special Education Curriculum and Methods: K-12 | 4 crs. |
| TE 535 | Consultation/Integrated Programming in Special Education Prerequisites: TE 342 or TE 430, TE 431 or TE 432 or TE 433, TE 516, TE 532, TE 541 | 3 crs. |
Learning Disabilities Core (9 credits required)
| TE 432 | Introduction to Learning Disabilities | 3 crs. |
| TE 545 | Language Acquisition/Dysfunction | 3 crs. |
| TE 537 | Advanced Theory and Practice: Learning Disabilities | 3 crs. |
Clinical Experience:
Candidates are required to complete a clinical experience at the end of their endorsement program. Candidates must file an application for Student Teaching or a Practicum with the Office of Clinical Experiences. Applications must be filed electronically during the month of November for the following Fall Semester clinical experience assignment and during the month of March for the following Winter Semester clinical experience assignment. Prior to submitting an application, students are required to attend an informational meeting for special education students held the month before. Dates for these meetings can be found within the Clinical Experiences website under "Important Dates." Application materials are located on-line at http://www.svsu.edu/coe/clinicalexp and are only available during the months of November and March. Questions related to Student Teaching or the Practicum experience can be directed to the College of Education Office of Clinical Experiences at (989) 964-7109.
| TE 445 and TE 460 | Seminar in Special Education | 2 crs. 6 crs. |
| or TE 660 | Practicum in Special Education | 4 crs. |
Candidates must register for Student Teaching or the Practicum during a regularly scheduled registration period. Students registering for Student Teaching must register for the Seminar in Special Education: K-12 (TE 445) and Student Teaching: Special Education (TE 460). Students completing a Practicum must register for the Practicum in Special Education: K-12 (TE 660).
Please note: Students who are currently teaching full time in a special education classroom may be eligible to do their Student Teaching or Practicum experience in their own classroom if they meet certain requirements (i.e., must have students on their caseload matching the endorsement they're seeking, must have a mentor willing to work with them that is certified in the endorsement area they're seeking). Please contact the Office of Clinical Experiences at (989) 964-7109 for more information.
It is recommended that students take the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification in Learning Disabilities just prior to or during their Student Teaching or Practicum experience. The M.T.T.C. test is given each year during the months of January, April, July, and October. M.T.T.C. Registration Booklets can be obtained by contacting the SVSU College of Education Admissions and Certification Office at 989-964-4057 (option #3) or by going on-line to www.mttc.nesinc.com.
In order to be considered highly qualified to teach all subjects (K-12) within the special education endorsement area, secondary certified teachers seeking a special education endorsement must take the MTTC Elementary Education test. For complete information, please see your special education advisor.
Questions related to Special Education Endorsement Programs may be directed to the SVSU College of Education Admissions and Certification Office, 989-964-4057 or 1-800-968-2540 (option #3). Teachers interested in this course of study must make an appointment with an SVSU Certification Advisor to review previous transcripts and develop an individualized course of study. Upon admission to the program, students will be assigned a program advisor. Students will complete approximately 35-39 credit hours for this endorsement.
Upon completion of all coursework requirements, Student Teaching or the Practicum, and the M.T.T.C. test, students may add their Learning Disabilities Endorsement to their valid Michigan teaching certificate by filling out an Endorsement Application and submitting it with all required materials to the SVSU College of Education Graduate and Teacher Education Admissions Office.
Revised: 1/21/08