School of Education
DEPARTMENTSOrton-Gillingham Reading Certificate
Intensive Phonics-based Instruction
Required Courses
Basic Skills Instruction: Mild/Moderate Disabilities
Practicum: Learning Disabilities
Survey of Exceptionality
Plus one of the following:
Fundamentals of Learning Disabilities
Instructional Strategies: Mild/Moderate Disabilities
Educational Assessment
Refer to our catalog for course descriptions with greater detail.
Required Courses
Basic Skills Instruction: Mild/Moderate Disabilities (SPED 705 - 3 Credits)
Research-supported theoretical foundations and skills for the instruction of students with mild-to-moderate disabilities in the basic skills. Emphasizes practical knowledge and application of theory in psychological processing and the basic skills of reading, written expression, spelling and mathematics. Students successfully completing this course and SPED 790 in a specific setting earn the UST Orton-Gillingham Certificate of Completion.
Practicum: Learning Disabilities (SPED 790 – 3 Credits)
A practicum in an educational setting where students with learning disabilities are present. Involves observing, assessing and providing appropriate instruction and intervention for students in classrooms and/or community settings. Includes documentation of practical experiences gleaned from the student’s licensure program.
Survey of Exceptionality (SPED 750 - 3 Credits)
Provides an overview of special education and specific categories of exceptionality. Examines the theories, legal mandates, definitions and terminology related to special education. Characteristics of individuals with exceptionalities are explored. These include but are not limited to: gifted and talented, learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, developmental disabilities, sensory disabilities, early childhood special education and speech and language disorders.
Plus one of the following:
Fundamentals of Learning Disabilities (SPED 786 - 3 Credits)
This course includes theoretical and practical knowledge about the field of learning disabilities. This course emphasizes school-based definitions, criteria, characteristics and etiology, as well as community and family support systems. It includes an analysis of current trends at the local, state and national levels for students with learning disabilities.
Instructional Strategies: Mild/Moderate Disabilities (SPED 788 - 3 Credits)
Increase the knowledge and understanding of the academic, social, and functional needs of children who have been identified as having a mild-moderate disability. Current state-of-the-art learning strategies as well as the more traditional remedial approaches to the education of children identified as learning disabled or as having an emotional or behavioral disorder as well as children with developmental disabilities are examined. IEP development as well as instructional strategies and techniques that work in the classroom are a primary focus.
Educational Assessment (SPED 645 - 3 Credits)
Examination of the technical adequacy and educational viability of assessment instruments in determining screening, eligibility, student progress monitoring and data-based instructional planning practices for students with mild and moderate educational disabilities. Practice with a variety of measures, including standardized instruments in test administration, scoring and interpretation as well as attention to informal and observational assessment data collection and reporting.
Refer to our catalog for course descriptions with greater detail.
