The West Virginia University Division of Extended Learning is offering graduate courses in special education this summer at Potomac State College of WVU in Keyser and at the School for the Deaf and Blind in Romney.

“I’m very pleased with the responsiveness WVU and Potomac State College have shown in meeting this critical need in our area,”said Del. Jerry Mezzatesta, D-Hampshire, chairman of the House of Delegates Education Committee.”It will not only allow teachers here to upgrade their skills and pursue master’s degrees but, most importantly, will enhance the service

provided to students in this region.”

Two courses will be offered this summer in Romney-Special Education 360, Introduction to Mental Retardation, and Special Education 330, Introduction to Learning Disabilities, said WVU Associate Professor, and Chairperson of Education Theory and Practice Elizabeth Dooley.

At Potomac State, Special Education 303, Behavior Management, will be available, Dr. Dooley said, and a second course may be addedSpecial Education 340, Introduction to Behavior Disorders.

Special Education courses were offered in Romney last summer, and courses are offered via satellite each semester. It has been a while since WVU offered special education courses in Keyser, Dooley said.

“We offer courses in particular regions based upon requests from teachers who have specific certification needs,”she said.

“I’m very pleased that Potomac State College can work with WVU Extended Learning and be a site for special education courses that will meet a need in this region,”said PSC President Mary Rittling.

Teachers around the state can also take WVU special education courses via satellite, Dooley said, adding that a master’s program in severe and profound handicapped education can be pursued almost entirely through distance learning.

WVU will offer four satellite special education courses in the fallSpecial Education 300, Introduction to Special Education; Special Education 321, Curriculum: Early Intervention; and Special Education 323, Family Professional Collaboration: Developmental Disability.

Additional satellite courses will be offered during the Spring 2001 semester. For more information on the courses in Keyser and Romney or satellite special education courses, contact WVU ’s Division of Extended Learning, 1-800-2LEARN2.