Community Programs for Americans with Disabilities

           CPAD is a “non-teaching” program in the Special Education Department at Slippery Rock University.  This Special Education (SPED) program prepares the university student to become a professional, working with the disabled population in agencies, group homes, sheltered workshops, juvenile detention centers, children and youth programs, and related services.

Program:

           The CPAD program includes a core of Special Education classes to provide the background necessary to understand and work with the “special needs” population. This 24 semester hour (sh) block of SPED classes provides the background, terminology, characteristics, and theory of Special Education.

      The CPAD Program Electives helps to tailor the program to the university student’s interests and needs.   The CPAD Program Electives includes classes from many different departments.

Practicum & Internship:

           A 90 clock hour Practicum (3 sh) is completed in the field to develop direct skills with clients.  University students in Practicum learn to do informal client assessments, client strengths and needs, and client goal plans. The Practicum Manual contains the assignments and rubrics for each assignment. 

           A 480 clock hour Internship (12 sh) is done at the end of program.  This Internship is done in a community agency.  The university student learns and practices professional skills prior to graduation.  The university student develops an Internship Project that benefits the agency and/or their clients.  The Internship Manual contains the assignments and rubrics for each assignment. 

Requirements:

           The student must have and maintain an overall QPA of 2.000+ and a major QPA of 2.25+.  Completing this 120 credit program will lead to a Bachelors in Education degree.

*This is NOT a teacher certification program.

Employment:

           The CPAD Graduates have achieved a 90% employment rate for the past 5 years.  The range of salaries was from $15,000 (part-time) to $43,000 (5 years experience).  The average salary was $25,590. 

Awards:

           The outstanding Practicum and Internship student receives a money award.  Entering freshman with a high school QPA of 2.80 may apply for the College of Education Dean's Scholarship.

For more information:

           Contact the Special Education Department at Slippery Rock University and the CPAD Coordinator (724) 738-2085.

http://www.sru.edu/pages/3298.asp