This course explores the methods of evidence-based instructional planning, lesson design, and instructional strategies and supports for students with exceptionalities. Learners will create an instructional design and lesson plan portfolio that incorporates individualized goals and objectives across skill domains and progress assessment, as well as aligned quality differentiated instruction techniques, assistive technologies, collaborative planning, and scaffolded supports for learning activities assisting students in various inclusive learning environments. Prerequisite: ESE 601.

This course focuses on collaboration strategies for special education professionals who work with other key stakeholders in supporting student success, including students with exceptionalities and their families, educators, leaders, service providers, and other professionals. A focus on educator collaborative skill sets, including communication, problem-solving, sharing ideas, planning, active listening, teamwork, and strategies for dealing effectively with conflict, provides support for academic and functional skills, as well as social emotional well-being across educational environments and instructional settings. Prerequisite: ESE 601.

Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities provides a comprehensive examination of the assessment and evaluation cycle employed within the special education process. During this course, learners will distinguish the special educator’s role within the multidisciplinary assessment process including how the evaluative data drives the planning and development of an individualized program. Additionally, the mandatory safeguards that assure ethical evaluation and assessment practices do not discriminate on the basis of human difference, identity, or social group difference (including but not limited to race, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual identity, socio-economic status, language, culture, national origin, religion/spirituality, age, or (dis)ability).

Law and Ethics in Special Education explores the fundamental civil and legal principles and pivotal legislation that contribute to the eligibility, learning environment placement, instruction, service delivery, and privacy issues of those who have a qualifying disability under federal laws. Learners will identify critical issues that may lead to ethical, professional, and legal conflicts of student and family rights and between interdisciplinary team participants, as well as proactive strategies for resolution. The course analyzes personal biases and considers diverse cultural experiences and individualized patterns of learning and development in relation to professional ethics and practice standards. Prerequisite: ESE 601.

This course provides an introduction to the education of students in the school setting with exceptional needs, specifically those with mild to moderate disabilities, who qualify for services under one or more of the eligibility criteria covered by special education federal laws. Special education key terms and common strategies that influence learning and behavior as well as ethical and legal privacy rights of families of children with disabilities are introduced. Additionally, variations, characteristics, and patterns of individual differences in learning and academic progress are investigated.

This course explores the principles of the science of learning, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of how people learn based on current research in cognitive science, neuroscience, and educational psychology. Through the study of memory, motivation, emotion, and neurodiversity, students will learn how to design and implement evidence-based teaching strategies that enhance learning outcomes across diverse educational settings. Key topics include major learning theories, the role of memory in learning, the impact of motivation and emotion, the neuroscience of learning differences, and practical applications of learning science in instructional design. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with tools to create more effective, inclusive, and motivating learning environments that support all learners.

This course examines the principles and practices of financial management in nonprofit organizations. It is designed to teach students how to use financial information in the management of nonprofit organizations. The use of case studies and applied examples intends to make the course especially practical to those working in the nonprofit environment. Prerequisite: SRV 301.

The Liberal Arts Capstone provides students the opportunity to show what they have learned over the course of their studies as a Liberal Arts major. In the final Capstone project, students develop a project that addresses a real-world problem or question within a career field or area of interest from a humanistic, interdisciplinary perspective. In finalizing their ePortfolio, compiled over the course of their studies, students align knowledge and skills learned through a study of the humanities to work-force competencies and personal goals. The Capstone also provides students with the opportunity to reflect on how humanistic inquiry enables them to better understand modern social, global, and local workplace challenges.

In this course, students learn strategies to develop meaningful, well-organized conferences, meetings, and special events. The course addresses event logistics, facilities management, event compliance with ADA and other laws/regulations, contract negotiation, labor planning, and issues with food and beverage management. Prerequisite: SRV 301.

Students will explore Middle Eastern civilization by examining its geography, culture, history, government, and economy. They will select a country in the region during the first week of class and study this country and the region each week. This will provide students with in-depth knowledge of a single country and highlight the common elements of the region’s culture. Students will utilize interdisciplinary research methods to create websites that introduce their countries.