Online Associate of Science Degree with an Emphasis in Developmental Disabilities
The Associate of Science Degree with an Emphasis in Developmental Disabilities is awarded upon satisfactory completion of the designated 27 semester hours of Developmental Disabilities coursework through Minot State University Online and 38 semester hours of general education coursework. MSU Online makes it possible for you to attend class regardless of location or time zone. Because you communicate with your instructor and class online, you can complete your entire Associate of Science Degree without setting foot on campus.

Special Education Courses:
All Special Education course readings, assignments, and activities are completed through MSU online or at the student's worksite. Students who are not currently working in the human services delivery system may complete their practicum assignments in a volunteer or paid practicum site in their local area. The student's instructor/advisor will help make arrangements for approval of practicum site.
o Introduction to Developmental Disabilities (3 SH)
o Introduction to Behavior Intervention (3 SH)
o Aging and Developmental Disabilities (2 SH)
o Health Care in Developmental Disabilities I (3 SH)
o Health Care in Developmental Disabilities II (2 SH)
o Leisure Time (1 SH)
o Human Development (2 SH)
o Dual Diagnoses: Mental Retardation and Psychopathology (1 SH)
o Techniques of Behavior Intervention (2 SH)
o Assisting People with Traumatic Brain Injury (2 SH)
o Developing Communicative Interactions (2 SH)
o Supervised Field Experience (4 SH)

General Education Coursework
The purpose of the general education core of studies is to provide students with a broad based knowledge and to build lifelong reasoning and learning skills. All Associate degree students are required to fulfill a "General Education" core of studies. The core includes studies in seven areas as listed below:
o Communication (9 SH)
o History (3 SH)
o Humanities (6 SH)
o Personal Development (2 SH)
o Mathematics (4 SH)
o Science (8 SH)
o Social Science (6 SH)

General Education requirements for the Online Associate Degree may be completed through MSU Online or at any accredited college or university. How ever, general education coursework taken at campuses outside the North Dakota University System must be in compliance with Minot State University's General Education Requirements . Minot State University's Enrollment Services will answer questions related to transfer of general education coursework.

Online Associate Degree Program of Study

Year 1
Fall Semester (11 SH)
SPED 101: Introduction to Developmental Disabilities Services (3 SH)
SPED 255: Aging and Developmental Disabilities (2 SH)
English 110: College Composition I (3 SH)
Social Science elective (3 SH)

Spring Semester (11 SH)
SPED 120: Introduction to Behavior Intervention (3 SH)
SPED 250: Developing Communicative Interactions (2 SH)
English 120: College Composition II (3 SH)
Humanities Elective (3 SH)

Summer Semester (9 SH)
SPED 221: Techniques of Behavior Intervention (2)
SPED 111: Health Care In Developmental Disabilities I (3)
History Elective (3 SH)
Wellness/Personal Development (1 SH)

Year 2
Fall Semester (11 SH)
SPED 112: Health Care In Developmental Disabilities II (2 SH)
SPED 130: Organization of Leisure Time in DD (1 SH)
SPED 223: Dual Diagnoses: Mental Retardation & Mental Illness (1 SH)
Humanities Elective (3 SH)
Mathematics (4 SH)

Spring Semester (14 SH)
SPED 296: Supervised Field Experience in DD (4 SH)
Lab Science Elective (4 SH)
Social Science Elective (3 SH)
COMM 110: Public Speaking (3 SH)

Summer (9 SH)
SPED 225: Assisting People with TBI & Their Families (2 SH)
SPED 140: Human Development (2 SH)
Wellness/Personal Development (1 SH)
Lab Science Elective (4 SH)