Community Education: Disability Services (B.A.)

The mission of the Community Education Program (CEP) at WLU is to attract intelligent and creative students showing an interest in education that is not limited to “traditional teacher education” in the classroom. The program seeks candidates who are open to serve as competent and effective professional educators and facilitators, willing to marry the two worlds of Formal and Non-Formal Education through active engagement in and through the community. Many of the courses in the Community Education Program include field experiences in the local community and/or community-based settings. Students are responsible for their own transportation.

The curriculum is designed to structure, facilitate, and promote the 21st Century skills of critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity. Students are encouraged to communicate and collaborate with individuals, groups, and institutions of the community on a local, national, and even international level. The program aims to develop master educators, facilitators, and educational leaders that contribute to community development at various levels, by engaging in the community through teaching, motivating its members through reflection, and consequently changing lives in a positive way.

Students will be equipped to serve the community/non-formal education of children, adults, and communities through a broad set of coursework. The acquired knowledge of specific common core courses, community education courses, and the possibility of specification in one of the majors of Community Arts, Disabilities Services, Educational Leadership in Faith Organizations, Museum Education, Outdoor Education, Teaching English and Global Education, and Sports, Recreation and Wellness will not just embrace the students’ interests and strengths, but also provide students with multifaceted employment options in schools, universities, museums, community centers, and other community facilities upon graduation.

Requirements

Choose 6 hours from the following:

EED 301Designing Effec Lrng Environme

3

HE 320Mental Health & Drug Use & Abuse

3

HE 360Community & Environmental Health

3

SPA 452Advanced Sign Language

3

SWK 403Family and Child Welfare

3

Electives to total 120 hours

Required Courses

CEP 101Introduction to Community Education & CEP

3

CEP 411Formal & Non-formal Educational Models

3

CEP 421Promoting Creativity & the Arts

3

CEP 422Outdoor Learning Spaces

3

CEP 433Program Design & Implementation

3

Or

CEP 473Community & School-based Programming

3

CEP 442Community Empowerment & Engagement

3

CEP 443Fundraising & Grant Writing

3

CEP 452Reggio Emilia & Other Approaches

3

CEP 463Leadership in Community Education

3

CEP 482Practicum II (off-campus)

3

CEP 492Practicum I (on-campus)

3

CEP 493Internship/ International Community Experience

4

EDUC 201Human Development

3

ENT 350Entrepreneurship Law & Ethics

3

SPA 252Sign Lang I

3

SPED 241Introduction to Exceptionalities

3

SPED 341Policies & Procedures in Special Education

3

SPED 348C&M Assess For Behavior Needs

3

SPED 352C&C Assess Functional Needs

3

SPED 401Autism I: Charact of Autism

3