Welcome to the Sopris West Educational Services
of the Extended Studies Program. Here you will find:
The mission of Sopris West Educational Services is to positively impact the education of children and youth, particularly those at risk for school failure, by providing educators and parents with practical, affordable, and theoretically sound products, programs, and professional services that promote safe, civil, and achieving environments. They have partnered with the College of Education at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs to offer academic undergraduate and graduate credit from 1-3 semester hours for a number of their proven and practical offerings. Tuition is $100 per credit hour.
See also the Special Education Online Program.
Other offerings are in various stages of development. Contact Carla Rupprecht of the Extended Studies office, or you may also want to visit the Sopris West website.
Please also see the Extended Studies FAQs.
SPED 543/CURR 5060 - Foundation in Special Education(3 semester hours)
SPED 544/5061-Development and Characteristics of Learners with Exceptional Learning Needs
SPED 546/CURR 5062-Assessment for Instructional Planning and Decision Making
SPED 547/CURR 5063-Instructional Strategies: Creating Environments that Promote Learning and Appropriate Interactions and Behavior
SPED 548/5064-Instructional Strategies: Teaching for Results
SPED 556/5065-Instructional Strategies: Improving Basic Reading Skills
SPED 557/CURR 5066-Instructional Strategies: Improving Reading Comprehension
SPED 558/CURR 5067-Languag and Communication in Diverse Learners
SPED 586/CURR 5068-Collaboration and Instructional Planning in the IEP Process
SPED 587/CURR 5069-Professional and Ethical Practices
Is it possible to register for 3 credits in the summer?
No, only 2 credits can be obtained in the summer. If you registered for 3 credits, you will be enrolled in the fall semester and have until November 29 to complete your practicum. You can do your practicum earlier, however, even during the Summer.
I attended a summer institute and signed up for 3 credits. My schedule has been heavy and I haven't had time to do the practicum work. Can I change to 2 credits?
No. There can be no changes in number of credits, either from 3 to 2 or from 2 to 3 once you have registered for the institute. If you don't complete the practicum, you will receive a grade of C for completing the paper at the institute. If you turn your practicum work in late and it's complete and comprehensive, you will receive a grade of B.
I have received graduate credit for a summer institute in the past. Can I receive credit again?
Yes. The content varies from year to year. It will be the same course number (SPED 595), but the title is identified by year.
When will I get my grade?
Please check the Extended Studies FAQs page. Summer grades for the 2 semester hour course should be available by mid-September. Fall grades for the 3 semester hour course should be available by mid-January.
When are the guided notes due?
They are due 14 days after the close of the Institute you attended.
The guide notes should be mailed to:
Dr. Randall DePryI plan to complete my practicum project early. Can I receive my credits early?
No. Your grades will be available after the end of the fall semester, hopefully by mid-January. You may send your papers in any time before the due date, but we cannot provide early grades. We can, however, furnish you with a letter stating that you are registered for the course and that grades will be available later.
Can I work with another student on my practicum project?
Yes, but be sure to identify clearly what part each of you did and let the instructor know ahead of time you are doing that.
Extended Studies Programs
Departmental office is located in Columbine Hall 4014.
Phone: (719) 262-4134 Fax: (719) 262-3915
Carla Rupprecht
Phone: (719) 262-4134 email: crupprec@uccs.edu
Sopris West
Website: www.sopriswest.com