Description of courses offered in the Educational Diagnostician Program (All courses are offered on Internet)

EPSY 5210. 3 hours. Descriptive and inferential statistical concepts and techniques commonly used in educational research. Organization of data, graphical representation, measures of central tendency and variabilty, normal distribution curve, sampling theory and tests of significant differences between related and independent samples (Check with the department for the offered semester).

EDSP 5320. Introduction to Functional Assesment. 3 hours. Focuses on various dimensions of functional assesment of behavior and academic performance of children and youth with disabilities and/or at-risk for academic and social failure. Emphasis on a process for conducting functional assesments and gathering informtion applicable to the development of effective positive behavioral supports and intervention plans. Prerequisite(s): EDSP 5710 or equivalent; EDSP 5600 or 5730; consent of the department.

EDSP 5510. Educational Appraisal of Exceptional Learners. 3 hours. Examinations of basic testing procedures and terminology as related to the exceptional learner. Analysis of statistics used in test development and interpretation of test data. Utilization of test data in developing individual education plans. Examination of curriculum-based assessment issues. Field experiences include administration of academic and teacher-made assessments.

EDSP 5520. Legal Aspects. 3 hours. Provides teachers, educational diagnosticians and school administrators the opportunity to examine the legal requirements for educating special populations, particularly individuals with disabilities. A course fee of $600 per term/semester is assessed for IMPACT candidates.

EDSP 5530. Individualized Diagnostic Assessment I: Practicum. 3 hours. Demonstration of competency in administration, scoring and interpreting test instruments appropriate for students with different types of handicapping conditions. Development of test batteries for students at varying age levels. Prerequisite(s): EDSP 5100.

EDSP 5540. Individualized Diagnostic Assessment II: Practicum. 3 hours. Demonstration of competency in developing test batteries for students with different handicapping conditions, and in administering and interpreting the batteries. Development of an individual plan for each battery administered. Prerequisite(s): EDSP 5530.

EPSY 5550. Theories of Learning as Applied to Exceptional Populations. 3 hours. Examination of theories of learning relevant to exceptional populations. In-depth comparison of principles across theories. 

EDSP 5710. Special Education Programs and Practices. 3 hours. Presentation of special education roles, placement alternatives, legal implications, current status and trends in special education. Analysis of categories of exceptionality, characteristics and terminology. 

EDSP 5720. Analysis of Research and Research Design in Special Education. 3 hours. Interpretation, analysis, synthesis and application of research with exceptional populations. Demonstration of oral and written competence in specialization field and related areas. 

EDSP 5600. Assistive Technology. 3 hours. Organized classes specifically designed to accommodate the needs of students and the demands of program development that are not met by the regular offerings. Short courses and workshops on specific topics organized on a limited-offering basis, to be repeated only upon demand. May be repeated credit.

DFST 5123. Human Growth and Development. 3 hours. The processes and stages that individuals undergo as they progress from birth through old age and death are studied from a human ecological perspctive. Developmental tasks and concepts are explored.

EDSP 5321. Authentic Assessment. 3 hours. Focus on the development of knowledge and the practical skills necessary for the effective administration and interpretation of authentic assessment. Focus on the use of authentic assessment to document student achievement gains among diverse and exceptional learners. Prequisite(s): EDSP 5510 and EDSP 5710.