Master of Science in Special Education
Description
The Master of Science in Special Education is designed to further professional skills in the areas of Special Education and related research. The program focus is to understand advanced concepts, critically review research, and apply these concepts and research to the professional practice through ongoing, systematic professional development. Within the Master's Degree, a student may choose to study a specific area of disability in one of the following areas: Specific Learning Disabilities, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, Developmental Disabilities, Physical and Health Disabilities, Autism or Early Childhood Special Education.
Admission Requirements
Information on admission requirements can be found on the Graduate Studies webpage.
Student Learning Outcomes
Candidates who complete the Master of Science Degree in Special Education will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the principles of teaching and core content knowledge in special education.
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge about assessment, teaching, and evaluation of learners with disabilities.
- Demonstrate the ability to assume the professional role of a Special Education teacher and demonstrate appropriate disposition for teaching.
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct professional research and writing capabilities through completion of written comprehensive exam and project or thesis.
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge in the use of a variety of learning strategies which may include assistive technology and universal design in instruction.
Program Delivery Mode
Online Exclusive: must be completed entirely online; no face-to-face options available
Core Requirements
( 20 credits )
SPED 606 Research and Applications in Behavior Analysis (3)
SPED 613 Inclusive Teaching Practices (3)
SPED 620 Perspectives and Policies in Special Education (3)
SPED 664 Theory and Process of Consultation and Collaboration (3)
ED 603 Methods of Research (2)
ED 696 Action Research (2) *was ED 609
ED 632 Curriculum, Instruction and Learning Theory (4)
Program Requirements
Additional Requirements:
3.0 grade point average required for courses submitted for the degree.
Written comprehensive examination.
Oral examination of thesis or project by committee.
Emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Program Requirements
( 12 credits )
SPED 531 Survey of Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)
SPED 532 Identification and Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)
SPED 534 Instructional Strategies for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)
SPED 536 Communication Strategies and Social Skills for Students with ASD (3)
Emphasis in Developmental Disabilities (DD)
Program Requirements
( 14 credits )
SPED 519 Biomedical Aspects (3)
SPED 556 Functional Curriculum and Assessment (4)
SPED 559 Communication Programming for Persons with Severe Disabilities (3)
SPED 570 Secondary Services and Transitional Planning (4)
Emphasis in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
Program Requirements
( 15 credits )
SPED 519 Biomedical Aspects (3)
SPED 523 Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families (3)
SPED 524 Assessment in ECSE (3)
SPED 526 Infant/Toddler Strategies (3)
SPED 527 Instructional Strategies: Preschool (3)
Emphasis in Emotional/Behavior Disorder (EBD)
Program Requirements
( 14 credits )
SPED 555 Characteristics of Students with Learning and Behavior Problems (4)
SPED 563 Assessment Strategies (3)
SPED 578 Educational Interventions: Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (3)
SPED 570 Secondary Services & Transitional Planning (4)
Emphasis in Physical/Health Disabilities (PHD)
Program Requirements
( 14 credits )
SPED 519 Biomedical Aspects (3)
SPED 547 Physical and Health Disabilities (4)
SPED 559 Communication Programming for Persons with Severe Disabilities (3)
SPED 570 Secondary Services & Transitional Planning (4)
Emphasis in Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)
Program Requirements
( 14 credits )
SPED 555 Characteristics of Students with Learning and Behavior Problems (4)
SPED 563 Assessment Strategies (3)
SPED 575 Informal Assessment/Teaching Strategies: Students with Learning Disabilities (3)
SPED 570 Secondary Services & Transitional Planning (4)