Why Study Special Education?

• Working with children and adolescents with special needs is a rewarding job.
• Special Education is one of the careers that has been identified as being in high demand. This is due to the growth of the population of students with special needs.
• Having knowledge in the area of special education helps you offer a quality education, attending to the particular needs of each student.

The majority of students with special needs participate in the regular stream, in public and private schools, so it is necessary for all teachers to know strategies for working with diversity in the classroom.

Admission Requirements

1. Complete the application for graduate studies.
2. Make the payment of the non-refundable admission fee.
3. Submit official transcripts from all universities or colleges attended.
4. If you are a scholarship recipient through Title II federal funds from the Department of Education of Puerto Rico, you must sign the release of academic information.
5. Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Education from a University or college accredited in the United States, or its equivalent.

Course Descriptions

This course offers the participant the opportunity to know and understand students with special needs. It is an introductory course. The emphasis is on an exploration of the etiology, characteristics, identification and educational intervention according to the needs of the exceptional population. The exploration of the topics includes a historical perspective of Special Education, ethical and legal considerations, definitions, prevalence, causes, identification of students with special needs, intervention and educational models. This course requires 45 hours of theory.

This course offers the student the opportunity to learn about the appropriate teaching methods to meet the individual needs of exceptional students. The legal documents of the Department of Education of Puerto Rico are studied, such as Standards and Expectations in the area of Spanish and Mathematics and the Special Education Procedures Manual, as well as the curricular implications. In addition, the curriculum of Adventist schools is analyzed. Emphasis is placed on techniques and strategies to assist special education students, especially deficiencies in Spanish and mathematics. In addition to exposing the student to the knowledge, analysis and execution of the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This course requires 45 hours of theory and 15 of laboratory.

The focus of the course is directed to the analysis of the emotional and behavioral problems of students with special needs. It includes the functional analysis of children’s behavior and development. Emphasis is placed on the processes or methods of identifying emotional and behavioral disorders. This course requires 45 hours of theory. Prerequisite EDSE 501.

This course offers information about current legislation on technological assistance. It includes theoretical and practical aspects of technological assistance to people with disabilities. The study of technological assistance is approached based on what is established in the Special Education Procedures Manual. The student will acquire knowledge about the identification, use and management of equipment that fits the individual needs of each child with disabilities. Likewise, the student is required to design and develop or adapt materials that contribute to the independence and development of the maximum potential of students with limitations. This course requires 45 hours of theory and 15 of laboratory. Prerequisite EDSE 501.

The course focuses on the administration and analysis of formal and informal assessment instruments that are used to collect data related to the progress of students with special needs. Several tests are analyzed including those of intelligence, perception and motor development, among others. Also those related to academic achievement, such as, Puerto Rican Tests of Academic Achievement and Alternate Assessment. The terms used in the assessment processes are defined. In addition, the Procedures Manual is analyzed, specifically what is related to the evaluation process, performance indicators and the preparation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) of the student with special needs. Also, the legal basis that establishes the role of assessment in the offerings of special education services is studied. This course requires 45 hours of theory. Prerequisite EDSE 501.

The focus of the course is the implementation and evaluation of behavior management programs in children and youth. Emphasis is placed on the application of appropriate intervention strategies, methods and techniques according to the particular need of each child, as well as knowledge of the theories related to behavior, and current laws that support the population with special needs. The areas of the IEP related to behavior and modification are also studied. This course requires 45 hours of theory and 15 of laboratory. Prerequisites: EDSE 501 and 523.

The course focuses on the processes for the integration of students with special needs into the regular stream. It includes the description of the multidisciplinary team that determines the integration of the exceptional student in the regular stream. In addition, the roles and responsibilities of the regular classroom teacher and the resource room are specified, with respect to students with special needs integrated into the regular stream. It also explains how to adapt the curriculum to the individual needs of special education students integrated into the regular stream. This course requires 45 hours of theory and 15 of laboratory. Prerequisites: EDSE 501, 511, 525 and 526.

Study of Jesus the Great Teacher, his teaching methods, their applications to student growth. The teaching methodology of Jesus and its application to the classroom will be studied in order to ensure that the teacher of the 21st century is an agent of change that promotes transformation in the lives of students. A comparison and contrast will be made with the most relevant educational theories.