College of Education, Health, and Human Services
304 White Hall
E-mail: oss@kent.edu
Tel: 330-672-2862
Fax: 330-672-3549
Web: http://www.ehhs.kent.edu

Intervention Specialist Major (B.S.E.)

This program consists of five concentrations leading to licensure:
Deaf Education
Educational Interpreter
Gifted Education
Mild/Moderate Educational Needs
Moderate/Intensive Educational Needs

The curriculum of each licensure area is specified in the following sections. The Liberal Education Requirements (LER) are met completely by courses outlined in each special education curricular area. Professional coursework and field-based experiences that will lead to licensure in the state of Ohio also are included.

Students must have minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA and 3.00 professional GPA to qualify for student teaching as well as for graduation.

Deaf Education Concentration—2009-2010 Roadmap [Degree Requirements]

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.

Educational Interpreter Concentration—2009-2010 Roadmap [Degree Requirements]

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.

Gifted Education Concentration

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.

Gifted Language Arts and Science—2009-2010 Roadmap [Degree Requirements]
Gifted Language Arts and Mathematics—2009-2010 Roadmap [Degree Requirements]
Gifted Mathematics and Science—2009-2010 Roadmap [Degree Requirements]
Gifted Social Studies and Mathematics—2009-2010 Roadmap [Degree Requirements]
Gifted Social Studies and Language Arts—2009-2010 Roadmap [Degree Requirements]
Gifted Social Studies and Science—2009-2010 Roadmap [Degree Requirements]

Mild/Moderate Educational Needs Concentration—2009-2010 Roadmap [Degree Requirements]

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.

Moderate/Intensive Educational Needs Concentration—2009-2010 Roadmap [Degree Requirements]

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.