Frequently Asked Questions about the SPLED Minor

1) What does the SPLED minor “mean”?

Completion of the SPLED minor is evidence to an employer that you have taken additional coursework to help prepare you to work with students with disabilities. Like all teacher certification candidates, you will have addressed (in SPLED 400 and 403a/b) the key competencies identified by PDE for all teacher candidates.

As a SPLED minor, your transcript also will show additional preparation in the areas of:

* the use of assistive technology to aid in reading, writing, and communication activities;
* teaching valued skills to students with autism;
* supporting speech and language development for students with disabilities;
* and other areas related to working with children with disabilities (depending on your course selections).

Completion of the SPLED minor does not result in special education certification, although the coursework you take to complete the minor may reduce the number of classes that you need to obtain special education certification. Special education certification in Pennsylvania is designed to ensure that children with disabilities receive expert instruction that will assist them in achieving valued outcomes in school and in their adult life. As such, high quality special education certification programs require a minimum of 40 credits of special education coursework. High quality programs also include multiple practicum experiences in which the candidate demonstrates the ability to prepare and deliver instruction for students with a variety of disabilities, including students with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and severe cognitive challenges.

Typically at least some of the classes taken in the minor might be used to reduce the number of classes required for special education certification. The decision as to how classes taken towards completion of the minor would impact the courses needed for special education certification is up to the program granting special education certification. We believe that the SPLED minor provides valuable coursework for those teacher certification candidates who are interested in additional information on how they can support the educational progress of students with disabilities in their general education classroom.

2) How do I declare the SPLED Minor?

It is my understanding that you can now use LionPath to declare the SPLED minor.
Please follow these steps
>> Student Center
>>> Update Academics

3) What other SPLED classes can I take for the SPLED minor?

Students interested in the SPLED Minor only should take SPLED 419 and 461 in the summer. Both will be provided as distance education options ( you do not need to be at University Park).  SPLED 419 and 461 for SPLED minors are only offered in the summer.

*The section of SPLED 461 that is offered in the summer is a special section designed for SPLED minors (pre-service professionals), and  is made available to all interested SPLED minors. The World Campus offering of SPLED 461 that is provided during the spring semester is reserved for individuals who are in the Penn State Autism Certificate Program – this means that all of the people in the spring offering of SPLED 461 are experienced teachers in a post-baccalaureate degree program (i.e., they already have initial teaching certification and multiple years of teaching experience). These experienced teachers are taking SPLED 461 in the spring as part of 12 credits of coursework on working with children and adults with autism, therefore the spring offering is not available  for pre-service teachers.

Students who choose to do the SPLED Minor and who are considering applying for the SPLED M Ed 4+1 program should take SPLED 419 and 525  in the summer after their junior year. These classes will both satisfy the SPLED minor and position the student to apply for the SPLED M Ed program. Please note that the 3 credit version of SPLED 419 is needed for SPLED M Ed

We will also, to the best of our ability, make some selected special education courses that are typically restricted to SPLED majors (e.g., SPLED 411) available to students in the SPLED minor in the fall and spring semesters.

* If you are planning on applying for the SPLED M Ed 4+1 program we recommend that you take SPLED 419 (3 credits) and SPLED 525, as this will result in the most efficient M Ed program for you. The classes below are most appropriate for students who are interested in the SPLED Minor only.

Seats will be allocated based on student’s credit standing (number of credit hours accumulated), we cannot guarantee that all interested students will be enrolled.   The credits taken in fall and spring can not take the place of 400 or 403, but can count towards the additional 5 credits of SPLED required (e.g., 419 or 461). Taking one of the classes below can replace one of 419 or 461. Listed prerequisites for the class will be waived.

To apply for a class, please see Requesting Enrollment in a SPLED Major Class

Students will be notified of decisions within 2 weeks of the application due dates. Please do not apply for a class for which you currently have a scheduling conflict, or ask us to exceed the number of credits for which you can schedule.

Please note, that although LionPath may permit you to place these classes in your “shopping cart”, you will not be enrolled unless you follow the process described above. Students who do not follow the procedures listed here ( e.g., students who self-enroll) will be removed from the class by the instructor.

We anticipate a small number of openings in the following classes:

        Fall 2024 (please submit applications by April 12, 2024)

  •        SPLED 418

Spring 2025 (please submit application by November 18, 2024)

  • SPLED 404
  • SPLED 411
  •         SPLED 454

Again, please check LionPath for scheduling information and use the procedures at Requesting Enrollment in a SPLED Major Class. Please do not request a class for which you have a scheduling conflict

4) What classes are available in summer, 2024 ?

SPLED 419, SPLED 461, and SPLED 525 will all be available in the summer of 2024. For these three classes, we will provide entry to all appropriate students (i.e., additional sections will be  scheduled as needed to accommodate student interest). SPLED 400 and 403 may also be available, please check LionPath for information on 400 and 403.

SPLED 419 can be added to a summer schedule via LionPath, it is listed as a University Park offering (it is, however, taught via the internet – please see below). There will be two offerings, including one two-credit section and one-three credit section during during Summer Session 1.

Students who are considering the 4+1 program or who want to use the class as an Education selection for their CEAD program should enroll in the 3-credit sections .

Other students (who are taking the class solely to fulfill the SPLED minor requirement) can take the 2-credit version.

This class will be taught as a Web class, via the internet. You do not need to be on the University Park campus to take SPLED 419.

SPLED 461 can be added to a summer schedule via LionPath, it is listed as a University Park offering (it is taught via the internet). There will be three offerings, all during Summer Session 2. Students who are pursuing the SPLED minor (and not considering the 4+1 program) should take SPLED 461. Students who are considering the 4+1 program should take SPLED 525 instead of SPLED 461 (please see below). You do not need to be on the University Park campus to take SPLED 461.

SPLED 525 has special registration procedures. Because it is a graduate level class, you will not be able to register yourself directly via LionPath. We will assist you with the additional work needed to register for the class. We are working to develop a system that is as efficient as possible for students – as a first step, please complete the form at http://tinyurl.com/SPLED525 . We will then use that information to tell you what additional steps (if any) are needed. In order to take SPLED 525 in Summer 2024, you must be on track to have  passed 89.1 credits by the end of Spring 2024. You do not need to be on the University Park campus to take this class.

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