Academic Behavior Strategist Special Education Licensure Options

The Academic Behavior Strategist (ABS) Special Education Licensure Option at MSUM prepares candidates to work as special education teachers in K-12 settings. The ABS license in Minnesota is a cross-categorical special education license covering four disability areas at the mild to moderate level: specific learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, high-functioning autism, and developmental/cognitive disabilities. In combination with a regular education major, ABS coursework prepares teacher candidates to serve K-12 students with any of the four disabilities in a variety of settings.

Teacher candidates who want to pursue the ABS licensure option must declare a Secondary/K-12 Teacher Education major (e.g., Communication Arts and Literature, Art Education) or Elementary Inclusive Education. Depending on student’s choice of major (Secondary/K-12 or Elementary) students will complete additional course requirements to meet qualifications to apply for an ABS license. Below is a sample of required courses for the Secondary/K-12 option and the Elementary Inclusive Education option:

^{*Note: The classes listed in the table are not the official requirements and are subject to change.}

Academic Behavior Strategist Special Education Licensure Option Requirements

Currently, the state of Minnesota requires individuals who hold the ABS license as an initial special education license to add-on a specific license in one of four disability categories (specific learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, autism, or developmental/cognitive disabilities) within five years of initial licensure. This requirement provides the opportunity for teachers to extend their knowledge and expertise in each specific disability area across the span of mild to severe. Opportunities to complete this requirement are available at MSUM through our online graduate programs.

Teacher candidates who are interested in pursuing the ABS licensure option should speak with their academic advisor. Teacher candidates should also speak with the ABS undergraduate coordinator to determine an appropriate course sequence to meet the ABS requirements.

Enrollment in a MSUM teacher licensure program means candidates meet specific requirements to enable licensure application at graduation.

Applying for a MN Teaching License

Special Education Add-on Licensure Option Courses

Admission Requirements

Students taking upper level education courses are required to meet Selective Admission and Retention Teacher Education (SARTE) requirements. Students will need to fulfill SARTE requirements as defined within their major program.

Core Requirements

• SPED 225 Individuals with Exceptionalities (3)
• SPED 402 Characteristics of Students with Mild Disabilities (3)
• SPED 403 Methods: Mild Disabilities (4)
• SPED 410 Methods and Strategies of Special Education Assessment (3)
• SPED 410L Special Education Lab (2)
• SPED 413 Teaching in Inclusive Environments (3)
• SPED 414 IEP Policies and Methods (2)
• SPED 430 Foundations of Reading and Writing Methods (3)
• SPED 445 Methods of Reading Intervention (3)
• SPED 470 Secondary Services and Transitional Planning (4)
• SPED 471 Behavior and Environment Management (3)
• SPED 480 Legal and Social Foundations of Special Education (3)
• SPED 468M ABS Competency Based Field Experience/Student Teaching (6)
• ED 498 The Professional Teacher in the Classroom (2)
• MATH 110 Introduction to Mathematics (3)
• MATH 407 Add+VantageMR 1: Math Recovery Strategies for the Classroom (2)

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate skills related to special education teaching at the elementary, middle, and high school level.
• Students will demonstrate mastery of legal and due process requirements for evaluation, instructing, and serving students with identified special educational needs.
• Students will develop collaboration and communication skills necessary for working with parents of children with special needs and other professionals serving students with special needs.
• Students will demonstrate proficiency related to core special education licensure standards developed by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.
• Students will demonstrate proficiency related to the Academic Behavior Strategist (ABS) licensure standards developed by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.

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