The Bachelor of Science in Special Education/Learning Disabilities prepares future teachers to serve the needs of special education students with learning disabilities in both regular and special education classrooms. Preparation for teaching students with learning disabilities emphasizes appropriate services, curricula, assessment, and instruction required by students with special needs to facilitate their participation in the K-12 general education curriculum. Technology, collaborative and consultation skills, applications of research, and parent consultation skills are stressed throughout the program. Practicum experiences begin the first semester of the professional program and continue throughout the program in K-12 school settings. 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education Courses
I. Communication
English:
ENGL U101	Composition I	3
ENGL U102	Composition II	3
Speech:
SPCH U201	Foundations in Oral Communication	3
II. Mathematics, Logic & Natural Sciences
Mathematics:
MATH U121	College Algebra	3
MATH U231	Basic Concepts of Elementary Mathematics I	3
Natural Science (w/ lab):
Select one of the following:		4
ASTR U111 & U111L	Descriptive Astronomy and Descriptive Astronomy Laboratory
BIOL U110 & U110L	General Biology and General Biology Lab
BIOL U220 & U220L	Botany and Society and Botany and Society Laboratory
CHEM U106 & U106L	Chemistry and Society and Chemistry and Society Lab
CHEM U109 & U109L	Chemistry of Living Things and Chemistry of Living Things Lab
CHEM U111 & U111L	General Chemistry and General Chemistry Lab
GEOL U102 & U102L	Historical Geology and Historical Geology Lab
GEOL U103 & U103L	Environmental Geology and Environmental Geology Lab
PHYS U101 & U101L	Introduction to Physical Science and Introduction to Physical Science Laboratory
Math, Logic, and/or Natural Sciences:
Select any Natural Sciences course listed above or:		3
BIOL U143	Foundations of Human Physiology
BIOL U206	Genetics and Society
BIOL U240	Human Biology and Society
BIOL U260	Emerging Infectious Diseases
BIOL U270	Environmental Science
GEOL U104	Natural Disasters
GEOL U120	Geology of the Southeast
PSYC U225	Psychological Statistics
III. Information Technology
Information Technology:
Select one of the following:		3
CSCI U138	Introduction to Computer Technology
CSCI U150	Introduction to Computer Science
DGST U101	Intro to Digital Studies
INFO U101	Survey of Information Technology
INFO U102	Introduction to Digital Safety
LIBR U201	Strategies for Information Discovery
MUSC U162	Intro to Music Technology
IV. Fine Arts, Humanities & History
Fine Arts:
Select one of the following:		3
ARTH U101	Introduction to Art
ARTH U105	History of Western Art: Prehistory - Middle Ages
ARTH U106	History of Western Art: Renaissance - Modern
MUSC U110	Introduction to Music
MUSC U140	History of American Popular Music
THEA U161	Introduction to Theatre Art
THEA U170	Fundamentals in Acting
History:
Select one of the following:		3
HIST U101	Introduction to World History I
HIST U102	Introduction to World History II
HIST U105	History of the United States to 1877
HIST U106	History of the United States from 1865
Fine Arts, Humanities, and/or History:
Select one of the following:		3
AFAM U204	African American Culture
AMST U101	American Studies, 17th - 19th Century
AMST U102	American Studies, 20th Century
ENGL U208	Introduction to Creative Writing
ENGL U240	Interpreting Popular Culture
ENGL U245	Business Writing
ENGL U252	Understanding English Grammar
ENGL U275	Masterpieces of World Literature
ENGL U279	Survey of American Literature I
ENGL U280	Survey of American Literature II
ENGL U289	Survey of British Literature I
ENGL U290	Survey of British Literature II
ENGL U291	African American Literature
FILM U240	Introduction to Film
PHIL U102	Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL U111	Political Philosophy
PHIL U211	Contemporary Moral Issues
RELG U103	Comparative Religion
SOST U201	Introduction to Southern Studies
V. Foreign Language & Culture
Foreign Language:
Select one of the following: 1		3
ASLG U101	American Sign Language I
FREN U101	Introductory French I
GERM U101	Introductory German I
SPAN U101	Introductory Spanish I
VI. Social & Behavioral Sciences
Social & Behavioral Science:
POLI U101	American National Government	3
PSYC U101	Introduction to Psychology	3
VII. General Education Electives
Select any approved general education course or courses		0
Professional Education
EDFO U200	Teacher Education Colloquium	0
EDFO U210	Foundations of Education	3
EDFO U341	Introduction to Exceptional Learners/ Special Education	3
EDLD U410	Methods of Teaching Students with LD	3
EDLD U412	Characteristics of Students with LD	3
EDLD U411	Field Experience in Learning Disabilities I	1
EDCI U300	Resources and Technology in Teaching	3
EDLD U414	Individualized Curriculum for Students with Disabilities	3
EDLD U415	Reading Disorders and Reading Methods	3
EDRE U442	Literacy I: Learning to Read and Write	3
EDRE U443	Literacy II: Reading and Writing to Learn	3
EDLD U440	Field Experience in Learning Disabilities II	2
EDLD U445	Language Disorders and Language Arts Methods	2
EDLD U425	Field Experience in Reading and Language	1
EDLD U446	Math Disabilities and Math Methods	3
EDLD U449	Issues and Trends in Exceptionalities	3
EDLD U483	Assessment of Students with Disabilities	3
EDLD U485	Behavior Management in Special Education	3
EDLD U470	Student Teaching of Students with Learning Disabilities	12
Concentration
PSYC U302	Developmental Psychology	3
Select 6 credits of the following:		6
PSYC U303	Psychology of Learning and Memory
PSYC U304	Cognitive Psychology
PSYC U305	Sensation and Perception
PSYC U307	Social Psychology
PSYC U310	Psychological Disorders
PSYC U351	Psychology of the Exceptional Individual
CAST U301	Introduction to Child Maltreatment
EDEL U448	Teaching Science in the Elementary School 2
EDEL U447	Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School 2
Supporting Courses
EDRE U384	Children's Literature	3
or ENGL U485	Adolescent Literature
MATH U232	Basic Concepts of Elementary Mathematics II	3
MATH U233	Geometry and Measurement	3
Select one additional arts and humanities course not repeating the discipline selected from the general education requirement:		3
ARTH U101	Introduction to Art
ARTH U105	History of Western Art: Prehistory - Middle Ages
ARTH U106	History of Western Art: Renaissance - Modern
MUSC U110	Introduction to Music
MUSC U140	History of American Popular Music
THEA U161	Introduction to Theatre Art
THEA U170	Fundamentals in Acting
Total Hours		121

¹

The minimum acceptable level of competency is completion of the 101 level of a language. Students who place into the 102 or higher level of a language satisfy the language requirement but will have additional hours in general education electives, if hours are required by their degree program.

²

Required for add-on Elementary Education certification.

Final responsibility for satisfying degree requirements as outlined in the USC Upstate Academic Catalog rests with the student.

Admission to the Professional Program

Students must apply to the College of Education, Human Performance, and Health for admission to the Professional Program, which is completed during the junior and senior years. The Professional Program application form may be obtained online from the College of Education, Human Performance, and Health webpage and must be filed in that office in accordance with posted deadlines.

Admission of applicants is based on individual consideration and Professional Program requirements. Each applicant must fulfill the following requirements:

• completion of ENGL U101 Composition I and ENGL U102 Composition II and SPCH U201 Foundations in Oral Communication or their equivalent with grades C or better;
• successful completion of EDFO U200 Teacher Education Colloquium;
• completion of EDFO U210 Foundations of Education with a grade of C or better;
• overall GPA of at least 2.75 on at least 60 hours earned;
• the achievement of passing scores on the PRAXIS CORE or a South Carolina State Board of Education approved score on the SAT or ACT examination;
• completed the Professional Program application in full;
• Standards for Professional Conduct & Dispositions form signed;
• two satisfactory recommendations with one written by a College of Education, Human Performance, and Health faculty member and the other one written by a general faculty member;
• submitted personal affirmation of non-criminal background;
• provided a "cleared" TB test (within 12 months of application);
• provided a current SLED check; and
• provided a current National Sex Offender Registry check indicating "No records found."

Action is taken on a student’s application for admission to the Professional Program as soon as completed application is submitted and the academic records are verified. Students who are accepted enter the Professional Program. Students whose applications are denied are advised of their alternatives.

Education courses at the 400-level and above may be taken only after admission to the professional program. Students who complete the Professional Program, pass the appropriate Praxis content exam and Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam, complete observations using the Assistance, Development, and Evaluation of Professional Teaching (ADEPT) instrument, and receive FBI fingerprint clearance fulfill initial certification requirements of the South Carolina State Board of Education.

Second Baccalaureate Work Toward Teacher of Education Certification

Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree from USC Upstate or any other accredited institution of higher education are advised to pursue their teacher certification through the pursuit of a second baccalaureate degree in the College of Education, Human Performance, and Health. Information regarding the second baccalaureate degree can be found in the Academic Regulations section of this catalog. Students pursuing a second baccalaureate degree toward certification must meet all the requirements for admission to the professional program and all requirements for their chosen program of study.

Admission to Directed Teaching

Students who wish to enroll in directed teaching (student teaching) must apply a year in advance of the intended semester. The following are requirements for all students admitted to directed teaching:

• prior admission to the professional program;
• completion of all content concentration course work with a grade of C or better in each course completed (exceptions approved by the Dean with faculty advisor's recommendation);
• grade of C or better in support courses completed;
• completion of all coursework prior to the directed student teaching semester;
• 2.5 overall GPA;
• completion of all education methods courses with a grade of C or better in each; and
• completion of MATH U231 Basic Concepts of Elementary Mathematics I, MATH U232 Basic Concepts of Elementary Mathematics II and MATH U233 Geometry and Measurement with a grade of C or better for special education: learning disabilities majors;
• successful presentation of portfolio;
• submission of a clear TB test, NSOR check and FBI fingerprint card/clearance prior to student teaching;
• completion of a South Carolina Department of Education application for teacher certification.

In addition to these general requirements, there are specific course prerequisites for each major field. No education course may serve as a prerequisite for a subsequent education course until it has been completed with a grade of C or better. These prerequisites may be changed from time to time at the unit's discretion. Students are responsible for enrolling in the appropriate corequisite coursework with directed teaching. It is the responsibility of students to secure from the school office an updated list of prerequisites for directed teaching in their major and to arrange their courses of study with their education advisor so as to meet those prerequisites.

Transfer Admission

Transfer students with fewer than 60 semester hours of credit may take courses in the College of Education, Human Performance, and Health if they meet all university admission requirements. Transfer students who have earned 60 hours or more must meet the admission criteria for the professional program at the time of their initial application for admission to the College of Education, Human Performance, and Health as a major. Only 64 semester hours of credit may be accepted for transfer from a two-year institution and applied toward the professional degree.

Undergraduate Transfer Credit

Education majors from other colleges and universities wishing to transfer courses into any of the education programs must have all transcripts evaluated by the College of Education, Human Performance, and Health. The dean or associate dean, following the USC Upstate College of Education, Human Performance, and Health Policy Manual guidelines, determines the courses accepted to fulfill requirements of any undergraduate education program. Any professional education courses considered for transfer must have been completed within seven years of matriculating at USC Upstate.  Professional education courses more than seven years old will not be accepted for transfer.

Continuation Standards

After being admitted to the professional program, candidates must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA for retention in the program; this is in excess of the minimum GPA required by the University for continuing enrollment. Students who do not maintain a 2.5 GPA cannot enroll in any education courses above the 400-level.

Academic Requirements

No education course may serve as a prerequisite for a subsequent education course until it has been successfully completed with a grade of C or better. A minimum grade of C is required for any course submitted for fulfillment of professional education, major concentration and support course requirements. Students who fail to achieve a minimum grade of C in any professional education course will be dismissed from the program. Students may reapply to the program by submitting a letter of petition for readmission to the Dean of the College of Education, Human Performance, and Health for consideration by the College of Education, Human Performance, and Health Appeals Committee. Readmitted students who subsequently receive a second grade of below C in any professional education course will be permanently dismissed from the program.

Evaluation

In addition to evaluations described in course syllabi, students’ dispositions and competencies relative to national, state, and College of Education, Human Performance, and Health objectives and criteria are evaluated both in professional education courses and during directed teaching. Every applicant for admission to the professional program undergoes an appraisal by the advisor. This appraisal provides a source of evaluation on non-academic as well as academic factors relative to teaching potential. Portfolio assessment provides further evidence of each student's professional growth and development over time.