Course Descriptions, Syllabi, Standards and Assessments

The files linked below are in PDF format. For details concerning a given course, please visit Illinois State University's Undergraduate Catalog.

SED 101 — The Exceptional Learner

(3 semester hours) Entry knowledge standards in special education foundations and characteristics of learners with disabilities.
SED 101 sample syllabi: Page | Thompson | Voss

SED 130 — American Sign Language I

(2 semester hours) Introduce basic vocabulary, grammatical structure, and characteristics of American Sign Language. Examine application of American Sign Language in social and educational settings.
SED 130 sample syllabus

SED 201 —Effective Collaboration and Teaching Exceptional and Diverse Learners I

(3 semester hours) Entry knowledge for instruction of exceptional learners. Includes collaborative instruction and modifications in practice.
SED 201 sample syllabi: Fulk | Nicholson | Stout | Swerdlik

SED 202 — Effective Collaboration and Teaching Exceptional & Diverse Learners II

(3 semester hours) Special educator roles in planning and delivering instruction. General and special perspectives on P-12 curriculum, modifications of instructions, and collaborative practice.
SED 202 sample syllabi: Larkin | Swerdlik | Weber

SED 203 — Measuring and Affecting Student Academic and Social Behavior I

(3 semester hours) Teaching as a reflective process. Affecting individual and group academic and social behaviors using behavior analysis and change technologies.
SED 203 sample syllabi: Fulk | Crowley | Voss

SED 204 — Measuring and Affecting Student Academic and Social Behavior II

(3 semester hours) Teaching as a reflective process. Affecting individual and group academic and social behaviors using behavior analysis and change technologies. Admission to Professional Studies, SED 202 and 203 required. May include Clinical Experiences: approximately 10–20 hours. Materials charge optional.
Sample syllabi: Blum | Bock | Crowley
SED 204 course standards

SED 230 — American Sign Language II

(2 semester hours) Expands vocabulary, grammatical structure, and characteristics of American Sign Language. Conversational usage in both receptive and expressive communication is stressed.
SED 230 sample syllabus: Schmidt | Stout

SED 340 — Theories of Language Development in Students Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

(3 semester hours) The study of language development of children who are deaf and hard of hearing compared to normal language development.

SED 245.04 — Fieldwork in Special Education: Low Vision/Blindness

(1 semester hour) Supervised clinical experiences in programs serving persons with disabilities including schools, clinical facilities, community agencies, or residential institutions. Admission to Professional Studies or consent of department chair required. May be repeated with consent of department chair. Includes satisfactory completion of Clinical Experiences: 30–400 hours. Students responsible for transportation to sites and housing if needed. Prerequisites vary by topic; see Registration Directory.
SED 245.04 sample syllabus: Clark | Duda
SED 245.04 course standards

SED 245.08 — Fieldwork in Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing-Language

(2 semester hours) Supervised clinical experiences in programs serving persons with disabilities including schools, clinical facilities, community agencies, or residential institutions. Admission to Professional Studies or consent of department chair required. May be repeated with consent of department chair. Includes satisfactory completion of Clinical Experiences: 30–400 hours. Students responsible for transportation to sites and housing if needed. Prerequisites vary by topic; see Registration Directory.
SED 245.08 sample syllabus
SED 245.08 course standards

SED 245.09 — Fieldwork in Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing-Speech

SED 245.10 — Fieldwork in Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing-Reading and School Subjects

(1 semester hours) Supervised clinical experiences in programs serving persons with disabilities including schools, clinical facilities, community agencies, or residential institutions. Admission to Professional Studies or consent of department chair required. May be repeated with consent of department chair. Includes satisfactory completion of Clinical Experiences: 30–400 hours. Students responsible for transportation to sites and housing if needed. Prerequisites vary by topic; see Registration Directory.
SED 245.10 sample syllabus
SED 245.10 course standards

SED 245.11 — Fieldwork in Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing—Senior Practicum

SED 245.12 — Fieldwork in Special Education: Alternative Curriculum

Supervised clinical experiences in programs serving persons with disabilities including schools, clinical facilities, community agencies, or residential institutions. Admission to Professional Studies or consent of department chair required. May be repeated with consent of department chair. Includes satisfactory completion of Clinical Experiences: 30–400 hours. Students responsible for transportation to sites and housing if needed. Prerequisites vary by topic; see Registration Directory.
SED 245.12 sample syllabi: Appel | Bantham | Turilli
SED 245.12 course standards

SED 245.13 — Fieldwork in Special Education: Accessing General Curriculum

SED 330 — Signed English Systems

(3 semester hours) Examines the use of visual English systems in educational settings. Introduces basic school vocabulary and characteristics of English sign systems. Includes sign proficiency exam required for student teaching.
SED 330 sample syllabus

SED 350 — Introduction to Visual Impairments

(4 semester hours) Impact of visual impairments on development; basic anatomy of the eye; types, causes, and educational implications of eye disorders; educational programming.

SED 351 — Education and Assessment of Students with Visual Disabilities

(3 semester hours) Application of educational diagnosis to educational programming and instruction of individuals with visual disabilities. Prerequisites: SED 350 and 356, or consent of department chair. Admission to Professional Studies required.
SED 351 sample syllabus
SED 351 course standards

SED 352 — Braille Reading and Writing

(3 semester hours) Preparation in reading and writing using the Braille Literary Code. Includes an introduction to Braille Textbook Format.
SED 352 sample syllabus: Clark | Mason

SED 353 — Education of Students Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

(3 semester hours) Psychological, social, historical, and educational issues relating to the education of individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing.
SED 353 sample syllabus: Sexton | Stout

SED 354 — Teaching Language to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

(3 semester hours) Principles and techniques of developing and teaching language to deaf and hard of hearing students at all grade levels, P-12.
SED 354 sample syllabus

SED 355 — Teaching Speech to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

(3 semester hours) Principles and techniques of developing and teaching speech to hearing impaired students at all grade levels, P-12.
SED 355 sample syllabus

SED 356 — Assistive and Instructional Technology for Individuals with Visual Impairments

(4 semester hours) Preparation in reading and writing using Nemeth Code in teaching mathematics and communication skills to individuals with visual impairments.

SED 357 — Orientation and Mobility for Classroom Teachers

(2 semester hours) Practicum in basic daily living skills and rudimentary mobility techniques for individuals with visual disabilities.

SED 358 —Reading and Assessment for Individuals with Visual Impairments

(3 semester hours) Development of competencies to teach reading and language arts to students who use print, braille, and auditory media. Instructional techniques and materials emphasized.

SED 359 —Teaching of Reading and School Subjects to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

(3 semester hours) Teaching reading and other core subjects to deaf and hard of hearing students at all grade levels.
SED 359 sample syllabus

SED 373 — Family-Professional Collaboration

(3 semester hours) Theoretical and practical aspects of collaborating with professionals and with families of individuals with disabilities. Prerequisites: SED 101 or 145 or consent of department chair.
SED 373 sample syllabus: Clark | Page | Stoner
SED 373 course standards

SED 374 — Educational Assessment of the Presechool Child with Disabilities

(3 semester hours) Techniques and issues involved in gathering, analyzing and synthesizing data for developing and monitoring individualized programs for preschool children with disabilities.
SED 374 sample syllabus

SED 375 — Assessment & Planning for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

(3 semester hours) Examines assessment tools and techniques for developing an individualized educational program for students who are deaf and hard of hearing.
SED 375 sample syllabus

SED 377 — Communication Strategies for Individuals with Disabilities

(3 semester hours) Issues, intervention strategies, and technologies that can impact the communication skills of individuals with disabilities. Prerequisites: SED 101 or 145 equivalent./
SED 377 sample syllabus: Page | Stoner | Watts

SED 379 — Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities

(3 semester hours) Overview of a wide range of assistive technology devices and services for individuals with disabilities. Demonstration of devices, laboratory experiences, and identification of funding sources. Prerequisites: SED 101 or 145 or equivalent or consent of instructor.
SED 379 sample syllabus: Mason (Section 01) | Mason (Section 04) | Parette | Peterson-Karlan | Watts | Wojcik
SED 379 course standards
Assessment method: Software Evaluation/Assistive Technology Application/Technology Continuum Learning Standards Project

SED 382 — Challenging Behavior: Analysis and Intervention

(3 semester hours) Theoretical and practice application of functional behavior assessment and analysis, and functional, academic, and behavioral programming. Prerequisites: SED 204 or 370

SED 383 — Developing and Implementing Alternative Curriculum

(3 semester hours) Analysis and application of curricular approaches, curriculum content, instructional methodology, and organizational strategies that support learners who seek non-academic outcomes. Prerequisites: SED 204 or concurrent registration and concurrent registration in SED 245.12 . Admission to Professional Studies required.
SED 383 sample syllabi: Blum | Meadan | Shelden
SED 383 course standards

SED 384 — Strategies for Accessing the General Curriculum

(3 semester hours) Analysis and application of curriculum, instruction, and organizational strategies effective for learners with disabilities who access general education curricula. Concurrent registration in SED 245.13 required. Admission to Professional Studies required.

STT 399 — Student Teaching in Special Education

Specific courses are required in each sequence. See listing of requirements in individual Special Education sequence. All sequences require the completion of a minimum of 100 clock hours of approved pre-student teaching Clinical Experiences.

SED 402 — Aural Rehabilitation for Young Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

(3 semester hours) Teacher's role in aural rehabilitation. Includes amplification and cochlear implant technologies as well as curriculum and intervention. Emphasizes birth–eight years. Prerequisites: Admission to Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Auditory/Oral Specialist Graduate Certification Program or consent of Department Chair.

SED 403 — Developing Oral Communication in Young Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

(3 semester hours) Advanced techniques and strategies for assessing and developing speech in the young child who is deaf. Emphasizes birth–eight years. Prerequisite: SED 402

SED 404 — Collaboration and Consultation with Families and Professional Service Young Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

(3 semester hours) Design of family centered intervention with young children who are deaf, emphasizing birth–eight years. Development of collaborative skills with related professionals. Prerequisites: Admission to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Auditory/Oral Specialist Graduate Certification Program or Consent of Department Chair.

SED 405 — Auditory/Oral Educational Methods for Young Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

(3 semester hours) Developmentally appropriate assessment, curriculum, and teaching techniques for home and classroom interventions with children who are deaf. Emphasizes birth–eight years. Prerequisites: SED 402 and 403.

SED 410 — Educational Assessment and Planning for Students with Disabilities

(3 semester hours) Assessment in the context of classrooms and educational systems with emphasis on determination of individual needs and development of plans to meet needs. Prerequisites: SED 101, 145, or 411 or equivalent.
SED 410 sample syllabus | SED 410 course standards
Assessment method: Functional Assessment Report

SED 422 — Teaching Diverse Learners

(3 semester hours) Curriculum, instructional objectives, methods, learning strategies, and materials for education of students who require adaptations for learning. Prerequisites: SED 101, 145, or 411 or equivalent.
SED 422 sample syllabus | SED 422 course standards
Assessment method: Instructional Action Research: Communications/Literacy

SED 440 — Contemporary Issues and Trends in Special Education

(3 semester hours) Advanced study of how knowledge in special education is created, organized, and linked to other disciplines through a critical review of current literature and research. Prerequisite: SED 101, 145 or 411 or equivalent.
SED 440 sample syllabus

SED 445 — Curriculum Development and Modification for Diverse Learners

(3 semester hours) Study of curriculum development, curriculum modifications and assessment of learning outcomes for students with disabilities and other special needs. Prerequisites: SED 101, 145, or 411 or equivalent.

SED/EAF 447 — Administering Educational Programs for Students with Disabilities

(3 semester hours) Principles and problems involved in administration of educational programs for exceptional children. Also offered as EAF 447.
SED/EAF 447 sample syllabus | EAF/SED 447 course standards
Assessment method: Action Research Project in Special Education Administration

SED 448 — Applied Behavior Analysis: Changing Behavior and Learning Environments

(3 semester hours) Functional assessment, analysis, and modification of environments through application of behavioral principles and development of positive support programs for students.
SED 448 sample syllabus

SED 449 — Behavioral Consultation

(3 semester hours) Provides preparation and practice in behavioral consultation and collaborative development of effective academic and behavior change programs in school and community settings. Prerequisites: SED 448 and 454.
SED 449 sample syllabus

SED 451 — Facilitating Student-Directed Transition Planning

(3 semester hours) Focuses on strategies of self-determination, self-management, and student-directed activities and application to transition planning and implementation for youth with disabilities. Prerequisites: SED 101, 145, or 411 or equivalent.

SED 452 — Teaching and Solving Behavioral Issues Autism Spectrum and Related Behavioral Disorders

(3 semester hours) Foundation concepts of autism spectrum and related behavioral disorders including history, identification, assessment, and analysis of interventions. Prerequisite: SED 448.

SED 453 — Interagency Community and Postsecondary Systems

(3 semester hours) Strategies for effective transition planning and collaboration between community services and school to achieve postsecondary education outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Prerequisites: SED 451.
SED 453 sample syllabus

SED 454 — Consultation and Collaboration in Special and General Education

(3 semester hours) Provides preparation for effective consultation and collaboration between professionals, paraprofessionals, parents, and students.
SED 454 sample syllabus | SED 454 course standards
Assessment method: Collaborative Student Learning Project

SED 455 — Facilitating Employment Outcomes for Individuals with Disabilities

(3 semester hours) Theory and practice related to career development, employment, and vocational models for adolescents and young adults with disabilities. Prerequisite: SED 451.
SED 455 sample syllabus

SED 457 — Facilitating Social, Leisure, and Independent Living Outcomes for Individuals with Disabilities

(3 semester hours) Transition practices that promote successful outcomes for youth with disabilities in leisure, social, independent living, and community integration aspects of life. Prerequisite: SED 451.

SED 470 — Research Practitioner: Multiple Disabilities

(3 semester hours) Practitioners as researchers with learners with multiple disabilities. Includes authentic assessment, curriculum development, social behavior interventions, and instructional adaptations. Prerequisites: SED 101, 145, or 411 or equivalent.

SED 471 — Addressing Needs of Learners with Physical Disabilities and Health Impairments

(3 semester hours) Issues, practices, and methodology in school and community-based programs for individuals with physical disabilities and health impairments. Prerequisites: SED 101, 145, or 411 or equivalent.

SED 479 — Assistive Technology: Assessment and Program Evaluation

(3 semester hours) Assessment of assistive technology programs and the needs of individuals with disabilities for assistive technology, including software, hardware, and relationship to educational goals. Prerequisite: SED 379.
SED 479 sample syllabus

SED 482 — Seminar in Special Education and Leadership

(3 semester hours) Analysis of professional literature and research in leadership areas. Development of professional portfolio with entries that demonstrate effective leadership and research practitioner skills. Prerequisites: Advanced graduate status.

SED 498 — Professional Practice

(1–12 semester hours)

SED 499 Master's Thesis

(1–6 semester hours)

SED 502 — Legal and Policy Issues Affecting Special Education Program Administration

(3 semester hours) Overview of state and national policy and legal issues affecting special education programs administration. Prerequisite: Admission to doctoral or post-master's certificate program or consent of instructor.
SED 502 sample syllabus | SED 502 course standards
Assessment method: Applied Special Education Administration Project (Parent/Administrator/School Board Presentation or Staff In-Service or Special Education Handbook)

SED 513 — Seminar in Evaluation of Special Education Programs

(3 semester hours) Examination of theories, models, issues, and practices in conducting evaluation of special education programs. Evaluation project required. Prerequisite: 410 or equivalent.
SED 513 sample syllabus | SED 513 course standards
Assessment method: Evaluation Project

SED 514 — Personnel Preparation in Special Education

(3 semester hours) An introduction to processes and applied practice in curriculum development, instruction, supervision, advisement, evaluation, and professional development for preservice and inservice education in special education settings.
SED 514 sample syllabus

SED 515 — Seminar in Special Education Research

(3 semester hours) In-depth study of research issues in special education for advanced graduate students, focusing on evaluating and synthesizing research.
SED 515 sample syllabus: Crowley | Stoner

SED 517 — Special Education Directorship

(3 semester hours) In-depth study of specific topics in special education for advanced graduate students. May be repeated if content different.
SED 517 sample syllabus | SED 517 course standards
Assessment method: Vision and Mission Application Project/Instructional Environment Project/Special Education Budget Project

SED 540 — Seminar in Contemporary Topics in Special Education

(3 semester hours) Contemporary topics related to issues of identification, assessment, interventions, and other problem areas. Prerequisites: SED 440 and/or consent of instructor.
SED 540 sample syllabus | SED 540 course standards
Assessment method: Literature Review Paper and Presentation

SED 598.02 — Professional Practice in Applied Research

( 1-12 semester hours) Provides doctoral students with an opportunity to integrate academic coursework with role expectations of professional personnel.
SED 598.02 sample syllabus

SED 598.03 — Professional Practice in Program Administration

(variable semester hours) Provide doctoral students with an opportunity to integrate academic coursework with role expectations of professional personnel. Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Special Education.
SED 598.03 sample syllabus | SED 598.03 course standards
Assessment method: Professional Practice: Program Planning, Policy, Finance and Management, Collaboration and Consultation

CI 208 — Literacy I: Reading and Language Arts in the Elementary Schools

(3 semester hours) Study the theory and practice in teaching reading and language arts at the elementary school level.
CI 208 sample syllabus

CI 209 — Literacy II: Reading and Language Arts in the Elementary Schools

(3 semester hours) Extends students' knowledge of literacy and the use of appropriate assessment measures and instrument strategies.
CI 209 sample syllabus

EAF 228 — Social Foundations

(3 semester hours) Education as a social process and function, social origins of contemporary educational problems.
EAF 228 sample syllabus

EAF 410 — Research Methodology and Statistics in Education

(3 semester hours) The development of basic skills required in the understanding, planning, and executing of a research study; introduction to analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.
EAF 410 sample syllabus | EAF 410 course standards
Assessment method: Critical Review of Empirical Literature

EAF 465 — Managing Human and Fiscal Resources in Education

(3 semester hours) Prepares building administrators to plan and implement use of human and fiscal resources for delivery and improvement of educational programs. Emphasis is on skills principals need related to budget and personnel. Prerequisite: EAF 401, 410, 485, 494.
EAF 465 sample syllabus | EAF 465 course standards
Assessment method: Planning and Financing Professional Development/Classroom Observation Techniques/Grant Proposal

EAF 478 — Legal Bases of Public Education

(3 semester hours) Legal aspects of public education with emphasis on constitutional law, the Illinois School Code, and judicial rulings. Examination of rights and responsibilities of boards, administrators, teachers and students. Prerequisites: EAF 401, 410, 485, 494.
EAF 478 sample syllabus | EAF 478 course standards
Assessment method: Legal Case Analysis

EAF 482 — Administration Seminar

(3 semester hours) Culminating seminar for 39-hour master's degree program. Emphasis upon changing educational relationships, students' major concerns, and current problems. Prerequisites: EAF 401, 410, 485, 423, 478, 465, 494; C&I 478. EAF 482.01 is for students in any of the higher education concentrations.
EAF 482 sample syllabus | EAF 482 course standards
Assessment method: Analytical Leadership paper/Data-based School Improvement Project/Reflective Paper

PSY 215 — Educational Psychology

(3 semester hours) Application of psychology to education covering human learning in school settings, evaluation and measurement of learning outcomes, developmental factors and learning, and social factors of learning.
PSY 215 sample syllabus