Multidisciplinary Studies with Special Education Teaching Licensure (B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies)
This program of study allows students to complete a baccalaureate degree in multidisciplinary studies and also be licensed to teach special education, general curriculum, in grades K-12, at the end of four years. Students pursuing licensure in this manner complete all requirements necessary for Virginia licensure, including field experience and student teaching, at the end of four years.
Admission Requirements: Students in this program must seek admission to the teacher licensure program and apply for student teaching. See the education section for admission requirements and procedures.
Degree Planning: Students in this program must take courses as specified to ensure fulfillment of state licensure requirements. In addition to working with an advisor in multidisciplinary studies, students should see an education advisor in the School of Education and Human Services for further assistance in degree planning.
Also, course rotations vary and not every course is available each semester. Course rotations are specified in the Course Descriptions. Individual advising is important to ensure meeting all major and teaching licensure requirements.
Minimum Grade Requirements: A grade of a C or better is required in professional studies courses. Professional studies courses are those associated with teacher preparation. An overall 2.5 GPA is required.
Degree Requirements — Multidisciplinary Studies with Special Education Teaching Licensure
This degree requires 120 credits.
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements. Some coursework fulfills teaching licensure requirements as specified by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
ED 219 | Current Research, Trends, and Legal Issues in Special Education | 3 |
ED 200 | Foundations of Teaching and Learning | 3 |
ED 250L | Technology for the K-12 Classroom | 1 |
ED 301 | Foundation of Literacy Development * | 3 |
ED 323 | Literacy Instruction: Diagnosis and Corrective Strategies | 3 |
ED 329 | Collaborative Models for Special Education | 3 |
ED 339 | Individualized Education Programs and Strategies for the General Curriculum | 3 |
ED 345 | Transition, Family, and Community Services for Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
ED 349 | Strategies for Behavior Management for the Special Educator | 3 |
ED 351 | Assessment to Support Learning in K-12 Classroom | 3 |
ED 460 | Student Teaching * | 6 |
EN 301 | The Writing Process: Theory and Practice * | 3 |
MDS 480 | Senior Seminar * | 3 |
PSY 110 | Human Growth and Development * | 3 |
PSY 341 | Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities * | 3 |
Twenty-one (21) credits in one of the following: biology, English, history, or mathematics, with at least two (2) classes at the 300+ level
Sample Degree Plan — Multidisciplinary Studies with Special Education Teaching Licensure
Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.
Year One — Fall
EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
HI
| Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
MA
| Mathematics (MT) core course * | 3-4 |
| Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
DSC 101 | DISCOVER First-Year Seminar * | 3 |
Year One — Spring
PSY 110 | Human Growth and Development * | 3 |
EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| Natural Science (NS) core course with lab * | |
TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Two — Fall
| One (1) content area course | |
ED 200 | Foundations of Teaching and Learning | 3 |
EN
| Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
| Introductory Social Science (SS-1) or Natural Science (NS) core course * | |
PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
Content area course: Content area courses will be chosen from biology, English, history, or mathematics.
PH 100: PH-1 core course
Year Two — Spring
| One (1) content area course | |
ED 301 | Foundation of Literacy Development * | 3 |
EN 301 | The Writing Process: Theory and Practice * | 3 |
PSY 341 | Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities * | 3 |
ED 250L | Technology for the K-12 Classroom | 1 |
| Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
Content area course: Content area courses will be chosen from biology, English, history, or mathematics.
PSY 341: SS-2 core course
Year Three — Fall
| Two (2) content area courses | |
ED 345 | Transition, Family, and Community Services for Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
ED 351 | Assessment to Support Learning in K-12 Classroom | 3 |
Content area course: Content area courses will be chosen from biology, English, history, or mathematics.
Year Three — Spring
ED 219 | Current Research, Trends, and Legal Issues in Special Education | 3 |
ED 323 | Literacy Instruction: Diagnosis and Corrective Strategies | 3 |
| Two (2) content area courses | |
PH
| Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
Content area course: Content area courses will be chosen from biology, English, history, or mathematics.
Year Four — Fall
ED 329 | Collaborative Models for Special Education | 3 |
ED 339 | Individualized Education Programs and Strategies for the General Curriculum | 3 |
MDS 480 | Senior Seminar * | 3 |
| One (1) content area course | |
| Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
Content area course: Content area courses will be chosen from biology, English, history, or mathematics.
Year Four — Spring
ED 349 | Strategies for Behavior Management for the Special Educator | 3 |
ED 460 | Student Teaching * | 6 |
| Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course * | 3 |
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.