School of Education
DEPARTMENTSLicensure and Master of Arts in Special Education - Learning disabilities
Improving Outcomes for Individuals with Exceptionalities
Educators specializing in learning disabilities are dedicated to the improvement of educational opportunities and lifestyle choices for exceptional children in the community. These experts provide both cognitive and emotional development for children, teenagers, and adults to succeed in school and the community.
Learning disability professionals need an appreciation of the theoretical and practical knowledge in the field. They also need to understand how the student’s support systems, school-based definitions, criteria, characteristics, etiology, and current trends at the local, state, and national level affect the instruction of exceptional students. Special education professionals are prepared to:
-
Address current literature and issues in special education.
-
Implement appropriate identification and due-process standards.
-
Design, field test, and evaluate appropriate instructional strategies and methodologies.
-
Provide direct service and consultation.
-
Work as partners with families.
-
Collaborate with professionals across disciplines.
-
Collaborate with family agencies, community services and professional organizations.
St. Thomas prepares professional, effective teachers in special education with traditional coursework and a practicum in a real-world educational setting. Courses are conveniently scheduled late afternoons or evenings, summer days and summer evenings for working education professionals.
The state of Minnesota approves license programs for special education personnel and St. Thomas recommends qualified candidates for those licenses. Specific licensure programs have been submitted and approved by the state. Any variance from that approved program also must be approved by the state. This places upon the department a responsibility for specific, high-quality special education programs.
