6 semester credits

Special education as a field is dynamic, with a growing research base of best practices and changing implementation efforts that seek to balance effective and efficient education for students with disabilities. Education professionals in this course explore evolving trends that reflect this balance and a range of related topics, such as issues of equity, assistive technology, collaborative instruction between regular and special educators, delivery approaches with and without student categorization, and ethical practice. As part of this foundational course, education professionals learn the process of how to complete their doctoral or education specialist degree successfully. They gain facility with Walden University’s online learning environment; knowledge of the university’s and the program’s support systems, expectations, and outcomes; and advanced, graduate-level critical-thinking, research, and writing skills.