The programs in Special Education at Cleveland State University are designed to prepare teachers to work with young children and K-12 students who have disabilities. The majors are designed to provide course work in the education of learners with exceptional needs. There are three different majors including: Early Childhood Intervention Specialist, Mild/Moderate Intervention Specialist, & Moderate/Intensive Intervention Specialist. The Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Intensive majors can be pursued at the Bachelor’s Degree level. All majors are offered at the Master’s Degree level. In addition, specific licensure only programs are also available at the graduate level.

Early Childhood Intervention Specialist

The Early Childhood Intervention Specialist major is designed to prepare teacher candidates to work with children from birth to age 8 who have special needs. In addition to Ohio licensure as an Early Childhood Intervention Specialist, this concentration provides course work and fieldwork needed for the Mental Retardation/ Developmental Disabilities (MR/DD) Early Intervention Certificate.

Mild/Moderate Intervention Specialist

The program in Mild/Moderate Educational Needs is designed to prepare teacher candidates to develop, implement, and evaluate individualized programs for children and adolescents ages 5 through 21 who have special academic and social adjustment needs. These individuals are typically identified as having a specific learning disability, mild/moderate mental retardation, or mild/moderate behavioral disorders. Students who complete this program are eligible for provisional licensure as a mild/moderate intervention specialist and will demonstrate diagnostic skills and competencies in the assessment of academic and social needs as they particularly apply to the development and delivery of instruction in both regular and special-education classrooms.

Moderate/Intensive Intervention Specialist

The Moderate/Intensive program is intended to prepare teacher candidates to work with children and youths ages 5 through 21 who have moderate, severe, or profound mental retardation; emotional disorders; or multiple disabilities. Students who complete this program are eligible for provisional licensure as a Moderate/Intensive Intervention Specialist and will demonstrate skills in curriculum design and implementation, interdisciplinary teaming, and working with parents of individuals with exceptional needs.

Notable Upcoming Events:

Welcome Back to all Special Education Students!!

The faculty and staff of the special education programs are looking forward to an exciting Fall 2009 semester. We are pleased to announce that the new Special Education Students Handbooks are available for pick-up. Graduate students who have completed a program of study and all Special Education Undergraduates can pick up their books in room 1337 on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10 to 4. Graduate students who have not completed a program of study should contact Mary Pultz or Stacy Zitek, Special Education Program Advisors, to complete this form and to receive the Student handbook.Please call 216.523.7125 to call for an appointment. If you are non-degree seeking, we have a special handbook for you that is also available.

Special Education PRAXIS (#0353) prep session dates have been announced for the November 2009 and January 2010 test dates. Follow the link below to get all of the information about these prep sessions. Registration is flexible, but we do ask that you scan or attach your PRAXIS registration to your email with your name and CSU ID # to SpecialEducation@csuohio.edu , to register for the online prep sessions. Email us if you have any further questions.

Nov-Jan SPED Praxis Session 

Important Reminders:

Now is the time to sign-up for the Student CEC! There is a special student membership rate if you join/renew by October 31, 2009. As per the instructions on the attached form, please slide your completed form under Dr. Menendez's office door, RT 1334. He will mail in all of the registrations together.

Student CEC Membership Form