Course Overview!

Ball State University's online License Addition for Exceptional Needs: Mild Interventions program prepares educators to teach students with mild disabilities, including specific learning disabilities, mild developmental disorders, and mild behavior disorders. The program focuses on providing practical, real-world skills through coursework taught by experienced faculty with backgrounds in classroom teaching, public school administration, and consultation. The curriculum covers a range of topics essential for effective teaching in this specialized area and is designed to be completed in two years. The program is specifically designed to build upon the existing teaching license held by the student and will only allow the candidate to work with developmental levels consistent with their currently held license. Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to support students with diverse needs effectively within an inclusive learning environment. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and is offered entirely online for the convenience of its students, which also makes it accessible to people outside of Indiana.

Course Structure

The 27-credit program consists of eight courses, a practicum, and other requirements determined by the license evaluation. Coursework includes EDRD 610: The Teaching of Reading in the Elementary School; SPCE 600: Education of Exceptional Children; SPCE 603: Collaboration in Special Education; SPCE 604: Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers; SPCE 632: Introduction to Emotional and Behavioral Disorders; SPCE 686: Introduction: Mild Interventions; SPCE 687: Educational Assessment: Mild Interventions; and SPCE 688: Methods of Mild Intervention. The practicum, SPCE 697, involves practical experience applying the learned skills and knowledge. The credit hours required for the practicum ranges from one to nine.