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Intervention Specialist - B.S.E.

COLLEGE: College of Education, Health and Human Services
DEPARTMENT: School of Lifespan Development and Educational Services
405 White Hall
Tel: 330-672-2294
Web: http://www.ehhs.kent.edu/ldes
 
DESCRIPTION: The Bachelor of Science in Education in Intervention Specialist comprises five concentrations: Deaf Education, Educational Interpreter, Gifted Education with six options, Mild/Moderate Educational Needs and Moderate/intensive Educational Needs.

The Deaf Education Intervention Specialist license prepares candidates to work with students with hearing loss. The program develops expertise in a variety of areas, including: knowledge of content that crosses the general education curriculum (e.g., reading, mathematics, science, social studies) and specific methods for adapting content to meet the needs of students with hearing loss; language development; American Sign Language; Deaf Culture; audiological and medical aspects of hearing loss; assistive listening technology, and telecommunications. In addition, candidates learn skills necessary for working with families, other professionals, and the students themselves. Deaf Education candidates participate in practicum and student teaching experiences in residential and public schools within Ohio as well as other states. Graduates are eligible for teacher licensure through the Ohio Department of Education for students who are deaf from K-12.

The Educational Interpreter concentration prepares interpreters to work with children and adults who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (D/HH). The program prepares candidates to interpret in the classroom and to perform related student-support activities under the supervision of a licensed or certified classroom teacher. Candidates are required to complete a one-week internship (minimum five full school days) in a residential school for the deaf during the year of their method sequence. Additionally, to qualify for the final practicum, students must pass a sign language and proficiency examination. The Educational Interpreter program is not equivalent to a teaching license, and positions in public schools are not considered teaching positions. Graduates of the program receive state of Ohio licensure in educational interpreting for students from pre-K-12.

The Gifted Education concentration prepares candidates to work with learners who have extraordinary abilities intellectually or talents and creativity in one or more areas of performance. Linked to the middle childhood program, candidates completing this program are prepared to teach in two general education curricular areas. Candidates gain expertise in working with gifted students K-12 through specialized coursework, including assessment, social and emotional needs, and teaching methods. Students complete extensive practicum experiences and student teaching in middle childhood classrooms and in gifted education programs in the public schools. Program graduates will be eligible for licensure through the Ohio Department of Education to teach two curricular areas in grades 4-9, and an endorsement to teach in gifted programs.

The Mild/Moderate Intervention Specialist license is built upon extensive field-based experiences that are connected to theory and practical application of current evidence-based technologies/strategies for teaching students with learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, and mild cognitive delays. The program includes coursework from middle and early childhood education to ensure candidates are prepared to teach across the curricular areas of reading, math, science and social studies. In addition, specialized courses in characteristics of different disability and at-risk populations, collaborating with families and other professionals, identifying and assessing strengths and areas of need, and academic and behavioral interventions ensure that candidates are responsive to the learning and social skills of individuals with disabilities. Graduates are eligible for licensure through the Ohio Department of Education to teach students with mild/moderate disabilities from K-12.

The Moderate/Intensive Intervention Specialist license is built upon extensive field-based experiences that are connected to theory and practical application of current evidence-based technologies/strategies for teaching students with significant learning and daily living needs. Students with more intensive needs include those with motor or sensory impairment, significant cognitive delays, autism or multiple disabilities. The program includes preparation across curricular areas in addition to specialized coursework focused on academic accommodations, adaptive daily living skills, technology to assist with physical, communication and mobility, alternative assessment, and transition from school to the world of work and adult living. Graduates are eligible for teacher licensure through the Ohio Department of Education for students with moderate/intensive needs from K-12.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:
Special education teachers held a total of about 459,000 jobs in 2006. Nearly all work in public and private educational institutions. A few worked for individual and social assistance agencies or residential facilities, or in homebound or hospital environments.
(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
ADMISSION
REQUIREMENTS:
Students admitted to the College of Education, Health, and Human Services as freshmen must have been fully admitted to the university. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a major and/or admission to professional coursework for a selective admission program. To be admitted directly into a teacher education program and Community Health, it is required that new freshmen have a 2.75 high school GPA and 16 units of college preparatory curriculum or a 21 ACT or 980 SAT score. Students who do not meet the GPA requirements of their intended major may enroll as pre-majors for selected programs or EHHS General until which time they have the required 2.75 GPA.

Students seeking admission to this program must meet all professional requirements for admission to advanced study. A maximum of 100 students will be admitted to this program each academic year. A minimum ACT composite score of 21 (980 SAT combined critical reading and math score) OR a 2.75 cumulative high school grade point average and all 16 of the recommended college preparatory units is required. Students seeking admission to this program must meet all professional requirements for admission to advanced study and have a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA in all previous undergraduate coursework. Because of the instituted enrollment management plan, meeting the above requirements does not automatically provide students admittance to the early childhood education major. Faculty will select the most qualified applicants based upon the number of available student spaces, students’ standardized test scores, essay, interview and cumulative GPA. Students should contact the Vacca Office of Student Services, 304 White Hall, during the first year of study to inquire into the procedures associated with admission to advanced study and selective admission to the early childhood education program. Students transferring from another university should meet with an academic advisor in 304 White Hall at least one semester prior to transferring.
GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum 129 credit hours. Minimum 2.75 cumulative and a 3.00 major GPA. Students must earn a minimum grade of C (2.00) in all major coursework.
LANGUAGE
REQUIREMENT:
Yes, for some concentrations (American Sign Language)
STUDY ABROAD/AWAY OPPORTUNITIES: There are many study abroad/away opportunities, for more information contact the Office of International Affairs.
PROGRAM FEE: $35/semester
ACCREDITATION: Deaf Education accredited by the Council on Education of the Deaf (CED)
STUDENT
ORGANIZATIONS:
Kent Student Education Association