Education: Special Education (EDSP)
Subject-area course lists indicate courses currently active for offering at the University of Louisville. Not all courses are scheduled in any given academic term. For class offerings in a specific semester, refer to the Schedule of Classes.
500-level courses generally are included in both the undergraduate- and graduate-level course listings; however, specific course/section offerings may vary between semesters. Students are responsible for ensuring that they enroll in courses that are applicable to their particular academic programs.
Course Fees
Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.
EDSP 180. Intro to Special Ed3 Units
Description: An overview of the field of Special Education, including, laws, eligibility process, service models, and procedural safeguards. Special emphasis is given to those with learning & behavioral disorders.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 181. Field Experience in Special Ed3 Units
Description: This course is designed to provide opportunities for interaction with students with disabilities in educational settings, in order to develop a fuller understanding of the nature and educational need of these students.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 218. Technology for Students with Disabilities3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: Develop a skill base in using and critically evaluating the usefulness, validity, and viability of assistive and instructional technologies appropriate for use with students with disabilities.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 240. Introduction to Exceptional Children3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: Acquaints students with the characteristics and needs of children with a variety of exceptionalities: learning, physical, and mental disabilities, emotional behavior, and attention deficit disorders; other health impairments; giftedness.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 260. Classroom Behavior Management3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: The study and application of behavioral principles for effectively managing classroom environments.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 294. Teaching Individuals with Physical, Health and Multiple Disabilities3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Summer
Description: Surveys the causes and educational implications of physical disabilities (celebral palsy, spina bifida), sensory impairments (vision and hearing), health (cystic fibrosis, HIV/AIDS), and multiple disabilities.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 300. Creativity and the Young Child3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Theories of creativity development and research-based approaches to teaching creativity in young children across content areas.
Note: Cross-listed with EDSP 600.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 337. Collaboration, Inclusion and Transition3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Prerequisite(s): Admission to Teacher Education.
Description: Develops knowledge, skills, and dispositions for positive collaboration with parents, peers, and specialists serving students with disabilities. Includes a minimum of 15 hours of field placement.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 345. Special Populations in Schools3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Prerequisite(s): Admission to Teacher Education; concurrent enrollment in EDSP 346.
Description: Characteristics and needs of gifted/talented, students with disabilities, English language learners, and other special populations; curricular and instructional approaches to challenge and support them in the regular classroom.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 346. Special Populations in Schools Field Experience1 Unit
Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Prerequisite(s): Admission to Teacher Education.
Corequisite(s): EDSP 345.
Description: Field experience observing and working in middle/secondary classrooms.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 395. Autism: Science, Culture and Identity - SB3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Description: The purpose of this course is to increase students' understanding of scientific, historical and cultural approaches to conceptualizing human conditions such as autism spectrum disorder. Autism will serve as a case study of the interaction of science, culture and history in assigning meaning to aspects of human diversity. Students will develop a perspective on how the interplay of science and culture influence the meaning and treatment of disability. Students will critically analyze theories of autism and research literature, as well as read historical, fictional and first-person accounts of autism. Students will engage in discourse and scholarly writing related to the treatment of individuals on the autism spectrum.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 396. Independent Study in Special Education1-3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Independent study on a topic or question agreed upon and supervised by a faculty member and approved by the department chair.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 397. Special Topics in Special Education3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: Current topics within the field of special education. Course topics will vary as needed.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 420. Assessment of Exceptional Learners3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Prerequisite(s): EDTP 355 and admission to teacher education.
Description: Addresses the knowledge and skills needed to conduct assessment procedures, interpret data, and use assessment data in educational decision-making for students with special needs in a legal and ethical manner.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 422. Transition Programs and Services for Children and Youth with Disabilities3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: This course will address the needs of personnel working with secondary special education students making the transition from school to adulthood. The course will provide information on: the basic adult needs of persons with development disabilities and an interdisciplinary service model to meet those needs. Emphasis will be placed upon the systematic planning and coordination of services that are required for persons with disabilities to achieve maximum quality of life.
Note: Cross-listed with: EDSP 614.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 427. Inquiry into Early Childhood Education and Child Development3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Examination of physical, cognitive, language, affective and social development of typically and atypically developing children from conception to age five, with implications for early childhood education.
Note: Cross-listed with EDSP 527.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 435. Administration and Consultation in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: This course will explore the responsibilities of the day care or early childhood program director and the early childhood consultant.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 436. Theories of Play3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: This course offers knowledge about how play contributes to young children's development and learning.
Note: Cross-listed with EDSP 536.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 437. Infant/Toddler Instruction and Care3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: This course examines the development and educational needs of children from birth to age three.
Note: Cross-listed with EDSP 537.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 438. Emergent Curriculum3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Description: Research-based approaches to planning and implementing developmentally appropriate standards-based classroom activities, lessons, and materials for young children birth through age five focused on each child's individual needs.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 439. Guidance for Young Children3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Corequisite(s): If enrolled in EDSP 657, concurrent enrollment in EDSP 656.
Description: Addresses the research-based knowledge and skills related to child growth and development that assist young children to develop positive pro-social relationships and for early childhood professionals to understand positive guidance principles and practice for young children's challenging behaviors.
Note: Cross-listed with EDSP 657.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 440. Moderate/Severe Disabilities Curriculum and Methods II3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Prerequisite(s): EDSP 609.
Description: Design and implementation of instruction based on alternate achievement of grade level academic standards that meet the needs of students with moderate/severe disabilities within special education and collaborative classroom settings.
Note: Cross-listed with EDSP 611.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 441. Methods for Students with Learning and Behavior Disorders3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Prerequisite(s): EDSP 260 and admission to Teacher Education.
Corequisite(s): EDSP 442.
Description: Analyses of the subject areas, approaches, techniques, materials, and learning principles used in teaching students with learning and/or emotional/behavioral disabilities and mild mental retardation.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 442. Practicum: Learning and Behavior Disorders3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): EDSP 260 and admission to Teacher Education.
Corequisite(s): EDSP 441.
Description: Field experience in school settings where the student will observe, assist, assess, and instruct students with learning and behavior disorders.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 443. Instructional Methods for Students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): EDSP 260 and admission to Teacher Education.
Corequisite(s): EDSP 444.
Description: Focuses on the design and implementation of individualized, functional curriculum for students with moderate/severe disabilities in the area of life skills, communication, social/behavioral, motor and functional academics.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 444. Moderate/Severe Disabilities Practicum3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): EDSP 260 and admission to Teacher Education.
Corequisite(s): EDSP 443.
Description: Field experience in school settings where the student will observe, assist, assess, and instruct students with moderate/severe disabilities.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 447. Teaching Mathematics to Students with Disabilities3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): Admission to a Special Education Teacher Certification program.
Description: Students will investigate trends, learning theories, instructional activities, and manipulative materials applicable to mathematics education with a focus on ways to improve teaching of mathematics for students with disabilities.
Note: Cross-listed with EDSP 647.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 450. Moderate and Severe Disabilities Practicum II3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Prerequisite(s): EDSP 444.
Description: Field experience in school settings where the student will assist, assess, and instruct students with moderate/severe disabilities.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 451. Learning and Behavior Disorders Practicum II3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Prerequisite(s): EDSP 442.
Description: Field experience in school settings, where the student will assist, assess, and instruct students with learning and behavioral disabilities.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 470. Student Teaching, LBD6 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Prerequisite(s): Admission to Teacher Education.
Description: Provides supervised teaching experience with students demonstrating learning and behavior disorders.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 471. Student Teaching, MSD6-12 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Prerequisite(s): Admission to Teacher Education.
Description: Provides supervised teaching experience with students demonstrating moderate and severe intellectual disabilities.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 472. Student Teaching in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education6-12 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Prerequisite(s): All courses in the program completed, positive midpoint assessment and Seven weeks of supervised observation, participation and teaching in preschool and/or kindergarten.
Description: Placements depend on certification being sought and student needs.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 510. Legal Issues in Special Education3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: Prepares special education teachers to fully understand and implement both the spirit and the letter of federal and state laws, regulations, and procedures related to students with disabilities.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 512. Methods for Students with Learning and Behavior Disorders3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): Admission to Teacher Education.
Description: Provides an overview of instructional methodology used to teach students with Learning and Behavior Disorders.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 515. Communication and Socialization in Early Childhood3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): Admission to professional program.
Description: Research-based approaches to supporting the communication and social skills of young children, including those with disabilities or delays.
Note: Six hours of field experience are required for this course.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 516. Assessment Procedures for Students with Learning & Behavior Disorders3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): Admission to Teacher Education.
Description: Analyzes and evaluates the assessment procedures for children with learning disabilities in academic and social settings.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 518. Structured Literacy for Diverse Learners3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: This course addresses evidence-based methods and strategies used to teach literacy skills to diverse learners. Prepares candidates to teach the five components of reading through explicit systematic and sequential instruction.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 520. Assessment of Students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Description: Addresses knowledge and skills needed to conduct assessment procedures, interpret data and use assessment data in educational decision-making for students with moderate/severe disabilities in a legal and ethical manner.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 527. Inquiry into Early Childhood Education and Child Development3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Examination of physical, cognitive, language, affective and social development of typically and atypically developing children from conception to age five, with implications for early childhood education.
Note: Cross-listed with EDSP 427.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 532. Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Curriculum3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the professional program; concurrent enrollment in EDSP 542.
Description: Research-based approaches to planning and implementing developmentally appropriate standards-based classroom activities, lessons, and materials that develop literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies learning in young children birth through age five. Also includes examination of contemporary early childhood curricula and approaches appropriate for children from diverse cultural backgrounds.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 533. Inclusive Early Childhood Curriculum3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Prerequisite(s): Concurrent enrollment in EDSP 534.
Description: Exploration of curricular approaches and teaching strategies appropriate for inclusive early childhood classroom. Includes research-based approaches on blended practices for planning and implementing developmentally appropriate standards-based classroom activities, lessons, and materials that develop cross-curricular content learning in young children birth through age five.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 534. Inclusive Early Childhood Curriculum Field Experience1 Unit
Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the professional program; concurrent enrollment in EDSP 533.
Description: Field experience observing and working in early childhood and inclusive classroom settings.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 536. Theories of Play3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: This course offers knowledge about how play contributes to young children's development and learning.
Note: Cross-listed with EDSP 436.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 537. Infant/Toddler Instruction and Care3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: This course examines the development and educational needs of children from birth to age three.
Note: Cross-listed with EDSP 437.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 540. Introduction to Exceptional Children3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring, Summer
Description: A survey course designed to acquaint students with all types of exceptional children - physically and mentally handicapped, socially and emotionally disturbed, and the gifted; methods of adapting education to meet the needs of these children.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 541. Introduction to Learning and Behavior Disorders3 Units
Description: An integration of theoretical, conceptual, and applied educational systems for children with learning and behavior disorders.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 542. Guidance For Young Children Field Experience1 Unit
Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the professional program.
Corequisite(s): Taken concurrently with EDSP 439.
Description: Field experience in public and private preschool classrooms. To be taken in conjunction with EDSP 439.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 545. Exceptional Children in the Regular Classroom3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: Educational programming for exceptional children in regular classrooms; curricular approaches in mainstreaming.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 546. Behavior Analytic Approach to Communication3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Prerequisite(s): EDSP 260 for undergrads or EDSP 644 for graduates.
Description: This course prepares practitioners to use principles of ABA to assess and teach communication skills to individuals with disabilities and develop knowledge of current AAC technology and assessment procedures.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 570. Autism: Introduction and Understanding3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Description: Increase understanding of individuals with Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) across the life-span. Characteristics of this population, namely communication, social and behavioral attributes will be examined as they are manifested across all ages in the context of the family and community. Historical, diagnostic, and identification issues will be addressed.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 581. Introduction to Gifted Education3 Units
Description: Classroom- and school-level approaches to identifying, nurturing, and further developing a variety of talents in all children, including but not limited to the areas of intellectual, academic, creative, visual/performing arts, and leadership talent.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 583. Early Childhood Special Education Assessment3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): Admission to professional program.
Description: Identification and assessment of children 0-5 with special needs, as well as theory and practice of educational decision-making based on assessment data.
Note: Six hours of field experience are required for this course.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 584. Families and Collaboration in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Prerequisite(s): Admission to professional program.
Description: Research based approaches to supporting families in providing interventions to infants and toddlers, working with families of preschoolers, and collaborating with other professionals and paraprofessionals.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 585. Families and Collaboration in IECE: Field Experience1 Unit
Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the professional program.
Corequisite(s): EDSP 584.
Description: Field experience in home, agency or school settings where the student will observe, assist, assess, and instruct infants and toddlers with identified special needs.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 594. Foundational Concepts in Intellectual and Physical Disability3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Summer Only
Description: This course provides an overview of characteristics associated with intellectual and physical disabilities.Students will learn to establish support systems for addressing the educational and health needs of these learners.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 596. Seminar in Special Education1-4 Units
Description: The investigation of special problems in education.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
EDSP 597. Seminar in Special Education1-4 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: The investigation of special problems in education.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
