The undergraduate programs provided by the Division of Professional Education at Central Methodist University offer a rigorous and comprehensive initial educator preparation program in Mild-Moderate Disabilities. The program reflects the most recent Council for Exceptional Children and State of Missouri professional standards. Please note that courses with the SE discipline code are offered only online.

The standards-based curriculum features:

1. a commitment to the preparation of reflective education practitioners to serve in both rural and urban environments;
2. a commitment to a curriculum that is inculcated with a global perspective that values and appreciates the contributions of a multicultural student population;
3. a common core of courses for all Special Education majors;
4. a series of fieldwork experiences that provide opportunities for early application of performance stan­dards concurrent with courses containing related knowledge standards;
5. a series of fieldwork experiences that provide opportunities for early and on-going investigation of the needs and oppor­tunities for teaching in rural and urban environments;
6. a full semester capstone student teaching experience;
7. a performance-based evaluation system.

CMU has a chapter of the Student Missouri State Teachers Association (SMSTA). All students who are interested in a career in education must join a professional organization by their senior year. The Missouri State Teachers Association is the sponsoring organization (advisor: Prof. Barb Thurmon).

BSE, Special Education: Mild-Moderate Disabilities K-12 - minimum 124 hours

General Education Requirements*: 32 hours minimum
Tier Two Requirements: 18 hours 
*Required: PY210; PY223; MA224; ED122

Professional Education (20 Hours)
ED101 Foundations of Education (2)
ED102 Field Experience I (1)
ED453 Education as a Profession (2)
ED454 Student Teaching Seminar/Methods (2)
ED462 Student Teaching (10)          
PY342 Psychology of the Exceptional Child (2)
PY343 Psychology of the Exceptional Child Practicum (1)

Special Education certification (Mild/Moderate disabilities K-12) requirements (51 Hours)
ED103   Child Development (2)
ED303    Methods/Materials for Teaching Content Classes (3)
ED304   Methods and Materials for Teaching Content Classes Practicum (1)
ED315   Reading and Writing with Young Children (4)
ED318   Reading Assessment and Instruction (3)
ED319   Reading Practicum (1)
ED320  Reading and Writing in the Middle School (4)
ED324   Methods of Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary/Middle School (3)
ED326   Children’s Literature (3)
ED329   Emergent Language (2)
SE203   Introduction to Special Education – MMD K-12 (3)
SE223   Career Development (2)
SE233   Special Education Processes (2)
SE311  Curriculum Methods MMD K-12 (4)
SE313   Counseling in Special Education (2)
SE321   Diagnostic & Prescriptive Procedures (3)
SE340   Mathematics Instruction for Special Needs Students (2)
SE341   Literacy Instruction for Special Needs Students (2)
SE345  Classroom & Behavior Management (3) or ED313 Classroom Behavior Management (3)
EN211 Grammar for Educators (3)