English Language Arts / General Special Education (B.S.)

https://cps.unh.edu/online/program/bs/english-language-arts-general-special-education

Individuals who complete this program will be eligible for the New Hampshire Department of Education teacher certification in General Special Education (K-12). The program aligns with the NH Department of Education’s standards for teacher credentialing.

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 120 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 30 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0 is required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: General Education Program
Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*GPA: Major and any state certification GPA requirements may be higher and are indicated in program details.
 
A minimum grade of C- is required in all Major coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor, and General Education requirements with only one overlap being utilized between the Major and Minor. Please note that Option requirements are considered part of the Major. Students must complete 16 upper-level credits in majors within the College of Professional Studies, Online.

General Education Program Requirements

A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only one overlap being utilized between the Major and Minor.

All General Education requirements, including CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar, must be taken prior to the capstone.

ENG 420The Writing Process4
COM 460Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics4
COM 480Visual Communication4
CRIT 501Introduction to Critical Inquiry4
Select one of the following:4
Math for Our World
Statistics
Pre-Calculus
Knowledge of Human Behavior & Social Systems: PSY 5254
Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World4
Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression4
CRIT 602Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking4
IDIS 601Interdisciplinary Seminar4
Total Credits40

Writing Program Requirements

All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University Writing Program Requirements as follows:

The Writing Process
One Writing Intensive course in the Major
One Writing Intensive course at the 600-level or above
One Additional Writing Intensive Course

Writing Intensive courses are identified with the label "Writing Intensive Course" in the "Attributes" section of the course description and/or a W following the course number.

Major Requirements

minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for state certification.

Prior to capstone enrollment, students are expected to complete the majority of their required major courses along with CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar. Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.

Major in English Language Arts/General Special Ed
COM 590Professional Communication4
ENG 450Introduction to Literature4
ENG 505Introduction to Language and Linguistics4
ENG 555Children's Literature4
ENG 615Young Adult Literature4
ENG 604Creative Writing4
ENG 620Multicultural Perspectives through Literature4
or ENG 645 Disability in Literature and Culture
ENG 675Survey of Classic Literature Through Film4
ENG 730The Graphic Novel4
or ENG 585 Short Fiction
Declaration of Candidacy Form Required 1
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Exam Required 2
EDC 500Foundations of Education4
Introductory Level Education Courses
EDC 700Introduction to Field Experience and Program Requirements1
EDC 701Special Education Law4
EDC 703The Dynamic Role of the Special Educator4
EDC 716Students with Disabilities4
EDC 717Managing Student Behavior4
Intermediate Level Education Courses
EDC 718Transition Planning & Developing IEPs2
EDC 720Instructional Methods, Strategies, and Technologies to Meet the Needs of All Students4
EDC 721Assessment of Students with Disabilities4
Advanced Level Education Courses
EDC 723Teaching Language Arts and Literacy6
EDC 798Culminating Teaching Experience and Seminar4
Total Credits77
1

Required prior to beginning the last 60 credits of degree program

2

Passing Praxis Core Exam scores must be submitted prior to taking EDC 700 Introduction to Field Experience and Program Requirements

Electives

Open electives are courses students will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order to satisfy the remaining credit totals for their programs. Open electives are defined as any credit course offered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor. Students will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the Online Division of the College of Professional Studies.

State Certification Requirements

The following requirements must be completed in order to be recommended to the state for Teacher Certification:

  • minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for state certification
  • Praxis Core Academic Skills For Educators Exam required. Passing Praxis Core Exam scores must be submitted prior to taking EDU 622 Introduction to Field Experience and Program Requirements (1 s.h.) .

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS Online undergraduate students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
COM 460 Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics 4
ENG 420 The Writing Process 4
MTH 402
Math for Our World
or Statistics
or Pre-Calculus
4
General Education Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
COM 480 Visual Communication 4
CRIT 501 Introduction to Critical Inquiry 4
ENG 450 Introduction to Literature 4
PSY 525 Human Development 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
ENG 555 Children's Literature 4
ENG 615 Young Adult Literature 4
ENG 620
Multicultural Perspectives through Literature
or Disability in Literature and Culture
4
ENG 675 Survey of Classic Literature Through Film 4
 Credits16
Spring
COM 590 Professional Communication 4
ENG 505 Introduction to Language and Linguistics 4
ENG 604 Creative Writing 4
ENG 730
The Graphic Novel
or Short Fiction
4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking 4
IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar 4
EDC 500 Foundations of Education 4
EDC 700 Introduction to Field Experience and Program Requirements Nonclinical; Complete CHRC Process 1
General Education Course 4
 Credits17
Spring
EDC 701 Special Education Law Nonclinical 4
EDC 703 The Dynamic Role of the Special Educator Clinical A 4
EDC 716 Students with Disabilities Nonclinical 4
EDC 717 Managing Student Behavior Clinical A 4
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
EDC 718 Transition Planning & Developing IEPs Clinical B 2
EDC 720 Instructional Methods, Strategies, and Technologies to Meet the Needs of All Students Clinical A 4
EDC 721 Assessment of Students with Disabilities Clinical B 4
EDC 723 Teaching Language Arts and Literacy Clinical A 6
 Credits16
Spring
EDC 798 Culminating Teaching Experience and Seminar Clinical A 4
Elective 4
 Credits8
 Total Credits121

Note: Only 1 Clinical  course allowed per term

  • Develop a working understanding of current brain research and its implications for teaching and learning.
  • Develop the skills to access and utilize technology as a tool to empower teaching and learning.
  • Develop a solid understanding of the utilization of formative and summative assessment for program design, monitoring student progress and evaluating teaching effectiveness.
  • Work with colleagues to observe, analyze and provide feedback on student progress and teaching effectiveness.
  • Utilize research methods and materials, pedagogies and assessment strategies to teach for understanding and application specific to content area.