Mission
The Advanced Specialization Certification in Severe Disabilities program supports the mission and the vision statements of the College of the Marshall Islands. This program prepares professionals working with students with severe disabilities to provide differentiated instruction on the basis of individual student needs in classrooms and community environments in the RMI and other Pacific jurisdictions.
Courses Offered
SDIS 111 – Introduction to Severe Disabilities
Prerequisites:
C or better in ENG 111 and ENG 105
Acceptance into Severe Disabilities program of Teacher Education
Co-requisite:
SDIS 112
Examines typical and atypical development and early intervention Person-Centered Planning, authentic assessment, interpretation of assessment findings, development of intervention plans (IEP, IFSP), implementation of strategies, IEP development for children with motor, communication, nutrition, feeding and sensory disorders.
SDIS 112 - Assessment & Program Planning for Students with Motor Disabilities
Prerequisites:
Acceptance into Severe Disabilities program of Teacher Education Completion of or concurrent enrollment in SDIS 111 grade C or better
Addresses foundational concepts, best practices, issues in special education/general education, and instructional strategies for target population. Examines characteristics of the SD population in the Pacific, etiologies, and atypical vs. typical development with a focus on motor development and early intervention.
SDIS 221 - Assessment & Program Planning for Students with Language & Communication Disabilities
Prerequisites:
Completion of SDIS 221, SDIS 222 with grade of C or better
Concurrent enrollment in SD 222
Examines typical and atypical development of basic communication, basic sign language, focus on early intervention strategies for communication, positive behavioral supports, and characteristics of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
SDIS 222 – Instructional Strategies I: Motor Development in the School, Home and Community
Prerequisites:
Completion of SDIS 111, SDIS 112 with grade of C or better
Concurrent enrollment in SDIS 221
Examines and applies gross and fine motor development across school, home and community settings. Values that will be promoted include
- inclusion,
- family-centered care,
- cultural sustainability,
- age-appropriate activities,
- functional skills, and
- collaborative teamwork.
SDIS 331 – Instructional Strategies II: Communication & Social Skills in the School, Home and Community
Prerequisites:
Completion of SDIS 111, SDIS 112 with grade of C or better
Concurrent enrollment in SDIS 332
Examines functional communication, concept development, and social behavior across domains (school, home, community). It also addresses evidence-based strategies to teach specific communication skills and for development of social skills, communication profiles, and augmentative communication in meaningful activities and inclusive settings.
SDIS 332 – Inclusive Practices for Students with SD (EI to Middle School)
Prerequisites:
Completion of SDIS 221, SDIS 222 with grade of C or better
Concurrent enrollment in SDIS 331
Focuses on curriculum development across general education subjects including local adaptations and accommodations for inclusion from early intervention through middle school grades. It includes instruction in important positioning skills so that students can have access to materials for learning. Also infused will be strategies for inclusion in home and community, age-appropriate activities, functional skills, building circles of supports and teaming skills.
SDIS 441 – Transition Practices for Students with Severe Disabilities (High School to life)
Prerequisites:
Completion of SDIS 331, SDIS 332 with grade of C or better
Concurrent enrollment in SDIS 442
Examines secondary transition issues and assessment, individualized transition planning for career and/or postsecondary, collaborating with community agencies, strategies in academics and career readiness.
SDIS 442 – Seminar in Severe Disabilities: Collaboration, Advocacy and Community in the Pacific
Prerequisites:
Completion of SDIS 331, SDIS 332 with grade of C or better
Concurrent enrollment in SDIS 441
Provides teachers with knowledge and strategies regarding current issues and laws related to SD including those that are specific to the Pacific. This course is built upon tenets of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), especially those related to rights to education, employment, and cultural and linguistic identities. The focus is on community awareness and advocacy activities through
- teaching others skills;
- school, family and community partnerships;
- community networking for post-school supports;
- and professional skills & ethics.
SDIS 443 – Student Teaching Practicum 1
Prerequisites:
Completion of SDIS 111, SDIS 112 with grade of C or better
Students will work in inclusive settings with children with motor impairments under the guidance of a master teacher and practice skills learned in assessment, instruction, data collection, collaboration and documentation.
SDIS 444 – Student Teaching Practicum 2
Prerequisites:
Completion of SDIS 221, SDIS 222 grade of C or better
Students will work in inclusive settings with children with disabilities in communication, nutrition and feeding under the guidance of a master teacher and practice skills learned in assessment, instruction, data collection, collaboration and documentation.
SDIS 445 – Student Teaching Practicum 3
Prerequisites:
Completion of SDIS 331, SDIS 332 grade of C or better
Students will work in inclusive settings with children with severe disabilities under the guidance of a master teacher and practice skills learned in assessment, instruction, data collection, collaboration, and documentation.
SDIS 446 – Student Teaching Practicum 4
Prerequisites:
C or better in SDIS courses
Designed to prepare students to work with children with severe disabilities in classroom, home and/or community settings, and be responsible for skills learned in assessment, instruction, data collection, collaboration, and documentation.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Advanced Specialization Certification in Severe Disabilities program will:
- Reflect, discuss, and share knowledge and experiences in the fields of child development, education and special education through inquiry-based research.
- Organize, sequence, and plan appropriate, engaging, and meaningful lessons and learning opportunities to meet short and long-term goals for students with severe disabilities.
- Utilize knowledge of the diverse developmental characteristics and skills of students with severe disabilities in order to plan meaningful, functional, and individualized goals and instruction and differentiated in regular education settings.
- Demonstrate methods for content-area instruction in the implementation of lessons for students in the classroom, home and community, incorporating assistive technologies and curricular materials to support the physical access, communication, cognitive, self-help, academic, and social development of all students.
- Assess students’ progress (birth-21) in all areas and use information to select appropriate strategies that build on students’ strengths and develop strategies to address learning challenges.
- Exhibit ethical and professional practices.
- Demonstrate collaboration with other educators to assess, plan, and implement instruction.
2019 Program Sheet
2019 Program Sheet – Students who have earned a BA/BS degree
