Department of Literacy Studies and Special Education

Elizabeth Swaggerty, Chair

The Department of Literacy Studies and Special Education prepares pre-service and in-service teachers in the areas of literacy, special, and gifted education. The Department’s faculty members are committed to providing comprehensive, research-based programs with rich clinical experiences. The programs are designed to prepare teachers who are knowledgeable, reflective, and skilled in meeting the needs of diverse student populations.

The Literacy Education program offers opportunities for development in all areas of literacy and K-12 literacy instruction. Reading courses are included within many of the College’s programs and include coursework that may lead to a reading concentration and/or North Carolina A-Level Reading License. Designed to increase students’ reading comprehension, efficiency, and study skills,  READ 1031  is offered to students in all majors. The Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) Reading and Literacy Education degree is designed to prepare K-12 reading specialists and is delivered online. Upon degree completion (and passage of required exams), those with an initial license may apply for advanced licensure.

The Special Education program offers several options for teacher licensure and professional development. Candidates are prepared to serve diverse learners with high-incidence disabilities in a variety of settings and to assist students with significant disabilities in the areas of communication, functional academics, and transition. The Master of Arts in Education (MAEd), Special Education degree is offered in the areas of Intellectual Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, and Low Incidence Disabilities. Upon degree completion (and passage of required exams), those with an initial NC special education teaching license may apply for advanced license. Individuals lacking the initial license may apply to the program on a non-licensure basis.

The department also offers Gifted Education add-on licensure and certificate options. Gifted and Talented Education (AIG) courses are delivered online. 

To read more about the Department of Literacy Studies and Special Education, please visit the department website. 

Programs

• Special Education, Adapted Curriculum, BS
• Special Education, General Curriculum, BS

• Equity and Advocacy in Gifted and Talented Education Certificate
• Teacher Licensure in Special Education Certificate

• Reading Licensure

• Disability Studies Minor

Courses

• GIFT 4000 - Diverse Gifted and Talented Children
• GIFT 4100 - Foundations of Gifted and Talented Education
• GIFT 4200 - Instructional Practices in Gifted and Talented Education
• GIFT 4300 - Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Problem Solving in Gifted and Talented Education
• GIFT 4400 - Special Topics in Gifted and Talented Education: Trends in Equity and Advocacy

• READ 1031 - Reading for College and Beyond
• READ 3000 - Literacy Learning through Home, School, and Communities
• READ 3301 - Reading Instruction in the Primary Grades
• READ 3302 - Reading Instruction in the Intermediate Grades
• READ 3501 - Foundational Literacy Skills: Differentiated Instruction and Assessment for the Elementary Classroom
• READ 3502 - Reading for Understanding: Differentiated Instruction and Assessment for the Elementary Classroom
• READ 3550 - Literacy Instruction and Intervention Across the Grades
• READ 3990 - Teaching Reading in the Content Areas in the Secondary School
• READ 4000 - Connecting Theory and Practice in K-12 Literacy Instruction
• READ 4317 - Content and Disciplinary Literacy in the Subject Areas for Grades 6-12
• READ 4500 - Teaching Literacy in the Elementary Grades
• READ 4520 - Independent Study
• READ 4521 - Independent Study
• READ 4532 - Problems in the Teaching of Reading
• READ 4533 - Problems in the Teaching of Reading
• READ 4534 - Problems in the Teaching of Reading
• READ 5312 - Improvement of Reading Instruction
• READ 5313 - Reading Remediation and Practicum
• READ 5316 - Word Study: Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary Instruction
• READ 5317 - Adolescent Literacy in the Content Areas

• SPED 2000 - Introduction to Exceptional Children
• SPED 2100 - Introduction to Students with Disabilities in the General Curriculum
• SPED 2109 - Introductory Practicum with Students with Disabilities in the General Curriculum
• SPED 2123 - Early Experiences for Prospective Teachers
• SPED 2200 - Introduction to Students with Disabilities in the Adapted Curriculum
• SPED 2209 - Introductory Practicum with Students with Disabilities in the Adapted Curriculum
• SPED 2300 - Teaching Students with Disabilities, General Curriculum
• SPED 2420 - Introduction to Manual Communication for Students with Disabilities
• SPED 3001 - Assessing Students with Disabilities
• SPED 3003 - Academic Instruction for Students in the Adapted Curriculum
• SPED 3004 - Managing the Learning Environment
• SPED 3005 - Instructional Programming in Special Education
• SPED 3006 - Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Students with Disabilities
• SPED 3007 - Managing the Physical Needs of Learners with Disabilities
• SPED 3100 - Instructional Methods for Students with Disabilities in the General Curriculum
• SPED 3109 - Instructional Practicum for Exceptional Children in the General Curriculum
• SPED 3200 - Instructional Methods for Students with Disabilities in the Adapted Curriculum
• SPED 3209 - Instructional Practicum for Students with Disabilities in the Adapted Curriculum
• SPED 3300 - Reading and Writing for Students with Disabilities, General Curriculum
• SPED 3309 - Practicum in Reading and Writing for Students with Disabilities, General Curriculum
• SPED 3500 - Mathematics and Content Areas for Students with Disabilities, General Curriculum
• SPED 3509 - Practicum in Mathematics and Content Areas for Students with Disabilities, General Curriculum
• SPED 3600 - Issues, Trends, and Laws in Disability
• SPED 3601 - Positive Behavior Strategies for Individuals with Disabilities
• SPED 3602 - Introduction to Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• SPED 3603 - Language and Communication for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• SPED 3750 - Global Studies in Special Education
• SPED 3999 - Assistive and Universal Support for All Learners
• SPED 4000 - Technology in Special Education
• SPED 4001 - Instructional Programming and Transition Planning in the Adapted Curriculum
• SPED 4002 - Individual Educational Programming for Students with Disabilities
• SPED 4004 - Supporting Positive Behavior Across School Environments
• SPED 4006 - Strategies and Supports for Students with Disabilities
• SPED 4008 - Exceptional Learners in the General Education Classroom
• SPED 4010 - Effective Instruction in Inclusive Classrooms
• SPED 4020 - Teaching Students with Exceptionalities in Elementary Classrooms
• SPED 4100 - Issues and Strategies for Students with Disabilities
• SPED 4300 - Practicum in Special Education
• SPED 4320 - Communication and Collaboration in Special Education
• SPED 4324 - Internship in Special Education
• SPED 4550 - Seminar in Special Education
• SPED 4991 - Residency I in Special Education
• SPED 4992 - Residency II in Special Education
• SPED 4993 - Residency Internship in Special Education
• SPED 5101 - Introduction to Individuals with Disabilities
• SPED 5501 - Minor Problems in Special Education
• SPED 5502 - Minor Problems in Special Education