MAJORS

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

With an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) concentration, pre-service teachers gain advanced knowledge and skills in behavior approaches to instruction and student supports. The 12-credit, 4-course sequence focuses on procedures for evaluating behavior and target skills, designing data-driven interventions, and monitoring progress.

Pre-service teachers also have the option to add two courses to the 4-course sequence, EDPS 36201 Positive Behavior Supports and EDPS 40300 Individualized Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Supports, to fulfill the Behavior Analyst Certification Board course content requirements and be eligible to sit for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) exam.

English Language Learners (ELL)

With the English Language Learning (ELL) concentration, pre-service teachers pursue a pathway to dual licensure in Elementary, Secondary or Special education and English as a New Language (ENL). After completing the 13-credit hour concentration and passing the required Indiana examination, teacher education candidates can add the ENL teaching license to an existing Indiana instructional license.

This concentration helps meet the needs of the increasing ELL student population in Indiana by providing teachers with the professional preparation to support English Learners K-12 in developing both English language and content area knowledge.

Special Education

Because approximately 60% of students with disabilities spend most of their school days in general education classrooms, all teachers need to have both the knowledge and the skills to teach students with disabilities. All teaching majors at Purdue learn about disabilities and how to provide each student in the classroom with access to the curriculum.

Pre-service teachers choosing the Special Education concentration complete additional coursework to increase their understanding of special education laws and their role and expectations in the shared responsibility of educating students with disabilities. Pre-service teachers in the Special Education concentration will have additional opportunities to develop their teaching practice in classroom experiences that include students with disabilities.

Gifted, Creative, and Talented (GCT)

In the Gifted, Creative, and Talented (GCT) concentration, pre-service teachers prepare for teaching excellence through a strengths-based, student-centered approach to teaching and learning. Based on a talent development perspective, we know all learners have strengths, talents, and interests that can be discovered and developed by teachers with knowledge and skills in academic, social-emotional, and personal talent development.

The goal of the GCT concentration is to not only identify gifted students but to identify and nurture the strengths and academic needs of all students, providing appropriate levels of challenge for maximum academic success and support to help youth develop healthy social and emotional skills. Successful completion of this 4-course concentration and successfully passing the required Indiana examination leads to K – 12 High Ability licensure as an additional credential to an Indiana teaching license.