Education, Education/Special Education - Associate in Arts
Students training in the education and special needs concentrations are qualified for employment in a variety of education and social service settings. These may include teacher assistant positions in kindergarten, public and special education classrooms, early intervention centers, residential group homes, hospitals and community day programs. In all of these settings, teacher assistants and aides provide direct support to children and adults, helping them to reach their maximum physical, emotional, educational and vocational potential. Three internships provide students with critical opportunities for supervised guidance as to best practices for working with able-bodied, as well as special needs, individuals and groups.
Note: Students enrolled in the Human Services program must earn a grade of C or better in all Human Services courses. Many courses require prerequisites, corequisites and/or testing. See course descriptions for details.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the history of special education laws and terminology.
- Develop an understanding of categories, definitions, causes, assessment and instructional strategies under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
- Identify, apply and discuss major concepts, principles, teaching strategies and theories related to typical and atypical development.
- Apply professional written and oral communication skills through responsible use of digital technology in research informed practice.
- Demonstrate professional and collaborative skills in school and agency settings.
Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 1010 | Composition I (or ENGL 1010A) 1; HUMN; Written Communication; Information Literacy | 3 |
| Literature Elective | ENGL 2200 Recommended 1; HUMN | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective MSCI | 3 | |
| PSYC 2010 | General Psychology 1; SSCI; Critical Thinking; Scientific Reasoning | 4 |
| PSYC 2030 | Developmental Psychology 1; SSCI; Critical Thinking; Scientific Reasoning | 3 |
| PSYC 2070 | Educational Psychology 2; SSCI; Critical Thinking; Scientific Reasoning | 3 |
| Science Elective 3; MSCI | 3 | |
| SOCS 1010 | General Sociology SSCI; Information Literacy; Cultural, Global, Historical Perspectives | 3 |
| Choose ONE of the following: HUMN | 3 | |
| Subtotal | 28 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| HMNS 1010 | Introduction to Helping and Human Services 1 | 3 |
| HMNS 1220 | Field Experience and Seminar I - Education/Special Needs^ 1 | 3 |
| HMNS 2060 | Foundations of Teaching and Learning 4; SSCI; Written Communication; Information Literacy | 3 |
| HMNS 2070 | Characteristics and Needs of Special Populations 4 | 3 |
| HMNS 2100 | Child Growth and Development Skills 1; SSCI; Written Communication; Information Literacy | 3 |
| HMNS 2320 | Field Experience Seminar II-Education/Special Needs^ 1 | 3 |
| HMNS 2420 | Field Experience Seminar III-Education/Special Needs^ 1 | 3 |
| HMNS 2900 | Human Services Capstone 1 | 3 |
| Choose ONE of the following: | 3 | |
| Learning Disabilities 1 | ||
| Significant Developmental Disabilities 1 | ||
| Choose TWO or THREE from approved elective course list below. 4 | 6-9 | |
| Subtotal | 33-36 | |
| Total Hours | 61-64 | |
- 1
-
Courses/requirements that may not be substituted or waived.
- 2
-
Courses/requirements that may not be substituted or waived. A higher-level educational psychology course may be required by some teacher preparation bachelor’s degree programs; therefore, students transferring to Rhode Island College are advised to meet with an adviser at RIC.
- 3
-
3 or 4 credits. A lab science is recommended for transfer. See this page for a complete list of classes that fulfill the LABS attribute.
For Science Elective only – courses/requirements that may not be substituted or waived. Selection of math and science courses for transfer should be done in consultation with a Human Services faculty adviser during the first semester of study. - 4
-
Courses/requirements that may not be substituted or waived. See list of approved electives here. Consult with Human Services faculty adviser. Special Education students should take Characteristics and Needs of Special Populations (HMNS 2070) first. Education students should take Foundations of Teaching and Learning (HMNS 2060) first. Diversity and Cultural Competency Skills^ (HMNS 2710) is necessary for successful transfer of Foundations of Teaching and Learning (HMNS 2060) to Rhode Island College. Introduction to Teaching and Learning (HMNS 1101) is necessary for successful transfer to RI College education programs. A minimum of 60 credits must be completed to graduate.
- ^
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Work-based learning course
Approved Elective Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMI 1100 | Introduction to Computers | 3 |
| COMM 1100 | The Art of Public Speaking: Romancing the Room | 3 |
| ENGL 2200 | Children's Literature HUMN; Written Communication; Cultural, Global, Historical Perspectives | 3 |
| HMNS 1040 | Drugs and Human Behavior | 4 |
| HMNS 1080 | Health, Nutrition and the Young Child | 3 |
| HMNS 2120 | Curriculum for Young Children | 3 |
| HMNS 2140 | Guiding Children's Behavior | 3 |
| HMNS 2150 | Parent and Child Relations | 3 |
| HMNS 2170 | Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| HMNS 2180 | Significant Developmental Disabilities | 3 |
| HMNS 2710 | Diversity and Cultural Competency Skills^ | 3 |
| HIST 1010 | Survey of Western Civilization I SSCI; Information Literacy; Cultural, Global, Historical Perspectives | 3 |
| HIST 1020 | Survey of Western Civilization II SSCI; Written Communication; Non-Written Communication | 3 |
| HIST 2260 | A Survey of East Asian Civilization | 3 |
| PHIL 1010 | Introduction to Philosophy HUMN; Written Communication; Critical Thinking | 3 |
| PHIL 2030 | Ethics HUMN; Critical Thinking; Social and Professional Responsibilities | 3 |
| PHIL 2040 | Logic HUMN; Critical Thinking; Scientific Reasoning | 3 |
| PSYC 1030 | Psychology of Personal Adjustment SSCI; Critical Thinking; Social and Professional Responsibilities | 3 |
| PSYC 1970 | Human Relations Seminar and Application | 3 |
| PSYC 2030 | Developmental Psychology SSCI; Critical Thinking; Scientific Reasoning | 3 |
| PSYC 2050 | Behavior Modification | 3 |
| PSYC 2090 | Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 2110 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| THEA 1150 | Theatre for Children | 3 |
Recommended Course Sequence
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
| ENGL 1010 | Composition I (or ENGL 1010A) | 3 |
| HMNS 1010 | Introduction to Helping and Human Services | 3 |
| HMNS 2060 | Foundations of Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| PSYC 2010 | General Psychology | 4 |
| Mathematics Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| HMNS 1220 | Field Experience and Seminar I - Education/Special Needs^ | 3 |
| HMNS 2070 | Characteristics and Needs of Special Populations | 3 |
| HMNS 2100 | Child Growth and Development Skills | 3 |
| PSYC 2030 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Literature Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| HMNS 2320 | Field Experience Seminar II-Education/Special Needs | 3 |
| SOCS 1010 | General Sociology | 3 |
| Science Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Choose ONE of the following: | 3 | |
| Learning Disabilities | ||
| Significant Developmental Disabilities | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| HMNS 2420 | Field Experience Seminar III-Education/Special Needs | 3 |
| HMNS 2900 | Human Services Capstone (Capstone) | 3 |
| PSYC 2070 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Choose ONE of the following: | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 64 | |
- 1
-
Recommended: Children's Literature (ENGL 2200)
- 2
- 3
-
3 or 4 credits. A lab science is recommended for transfer. See this page for a complete list of classes that fulfill the LABS attribute.
- ^
-
Work-based learning course
Transfer
Please meet with an Academic Advisor/Student Success Coach if you are interested in earning a bachelor's degree. Your Academic Advisor will help you select the courses that best prepare you for transfer to a four-year college or university.
Check out the Joint Admissions Agreement if you are interested in transferring to Rhode Island College or the University of Rhode Island. The JAA program offers seamless transfer to RIC or URI with additional benefits. Transfer information, events, and articulations are available on the Transfer Center website.
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