Why Choose Exceptional Learning & Development at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ?
Some of the most important teachers in any school are the ones who reach the students others struggle to reach. This degree prepares you to be a special education interventionist at either the K-8 or 6-12 level, equipped to teach children across the full range of exceptionalities, from learning and behavioral differences to autism and severe disabilities. You graduate ready to write IEPs, design accommodations, and meet each child where they are.
What sets the program apart is its depth in both instruction and the systems that surround it. You learn the science of reading and math intervention while also gaining hands-on experience with the referral-to-placement process and EasyIEP, the case management tool used in most Tennessee schools. Combined with multiple field placements, that preparation means you enter your first classroom ready for the real work of special education. This major is required for Interventionist licensure at Bethel, at either the K-8 or 6-12 level.
What You’ll Learn
In this program, you will learn:
- An understanding of the 13 IDEA disability categories and the characteristics and needs of exceptional children
- Specialized knowledge of autism, including diagnostics, assessment, and research-based interventions
- Instructional techniques for learners with severe, profound, and mild disabilities
- Skill in IEP development, accommodations, modifications, and classroom management
- Familiarity with the special education referral and placement process, including hands-on EasyIEP experience
- A grasp of the laws governing K-12 and special education and a teacher's legal responsibilities
- Assessment skills, including diagnosis, RTI2, and Tennessee Value Added Assessment System data
- Research-based methods for teaching reading and math to students with exceptionalities
- A foundation in educational psychology, including development, learning, and motivation
- Real classroom experience through multiple supervised field placements
Courses You'll Take
These are the core courses that define the major:
ELD 314, Survey of Children with Exceptionalities
ELD 322, Severe/Profound Disabilities
ELD 323, Introduction to Autism
ELD 423, Mild Disabilities
ELD 428, Advanced Procedures
ELD 437, Procedural Law
ELD 453, Reading for Exceptional Learners
ELD 454, Math for Exceptional Learners
EDU 323, Educational Psychology
EDU 334, Assessment
EDU 336, Foundations of Reading
EDU 349, Teaching Reading in Elementary Schools
EDU 221B, Field Experience I
EDU 321B, Field Experience II
Career Possibilities
Special Education Interventionist (K-8 or 6-12)
Teaches and supports students with exceptionalities through specialized instruction, accommodations, and individualized plans.
Resource Teacher
Provides targeted instruction to students with disabilities in a resource room or pull-out setting, supplementing the general classroom.
Inclusion Co-Teacher
Works alongside general education teachers to support students with disabilities within the regular classroom.
Math Interventionist
Provides targeted math instruction to students who need additional support reaching grade-level skills.
IEP Case Manager
Coordinates and monitors individualized education programs, working with families, teachers, and specialists to support each student.
Behavior Support Specialist
Helps students with behavioral challenges succeed through individualized strategies, support, and classroom interventions.
Related Degrees and Programs
If you’re interested in this degree or program, here are others you might find intriguing.
See All
