Special Education (M.Ed.) - Initial Certification Program
Special Education (PK-8) and Early Childhood Education (PK-4)
Administered by the Department of Exceptionality Programs
Effective Fall 2012
Admission. Applicants seeking admission to the master's degree program must satisfy the general admission requirements for the School of Graduate Studies. The following criteria are also required:
- A one-page, handwritten letter of intent stating professional background, experience and rationale for wanting to be admitted to the department
- Two letters of recommendation
- A resume
- An interview with the chair or program coordinator
- An undergraduate cumulative QPA of 2.8. If average is below 2.8, the student may be admitted provisionally. No Cs may be earned during a probationary period.
Retention. Students must complete the criteria listed in the Teacher Education - Special Education Initial Program packet prior to the completion of 21 graduate credits. Required GPA, child abuse, FBI and criminal clearances, TB results and liability insurance coverage is described within the packet. Some requirements must be completed before course work can be initiated (e.g., clearances).
Certification and Graduation Requirements. Students may complete certification course work to access teacher certification prior to completion of the M.Ed. Some pre-requisite courses or their equivalents are required. The complete requirements are listed below.
Pre-Certification Requirements
Completion of the following undergraduate courses OR their equivalents is required.
ELEMED.121/510 Intro to Early Childhood Education/M & M Early Childhood Education 1
SPECED.101/516 Intro to Individuals with Exceptionalities/Orientation to Exceptionalities
SPECED.202 Technology for Individuals with Disabilities (certification only)/Education Technology Equivalent (M.Ed.)
PROFSTUD.494/594 English Language Learners Strategies/Methods OR
AUDSLP.432/532 Communication/Education English Language Learners
Core Course Requirements for M.Ed. (15 credits)
SPECED.502 Principles of Special Education Law
SPECED.547 Technology Applications for Individuals with Disabilities
SPECED.565 Special Education Research Methods I
SPECED.567 Special Education Research Methods II
SPECED.575 Seminar in Current Issues in Special Education
Certification Course Requirements
(36 credits plus student teaching; equivalent courses may be considered)
ELEMED.526 Methods/Materials in Science and Math
ELEMED.532 Fine Arts/Play in the Early Childhood Education Classroom
ELEMED.537 Methods/Materials in Language Arts/Social Studies
READING.540 Introduction to the Teaching of Reading
SPECED.506 Introduction to Early Intervention
SPECED.517 Foundations of Behavior Intervention and Support
SPECED.530 Effective Instructional Practices for Students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities
SPECED.533 Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities
SPECED.544 Academic Assessment for Instruction
SPECED.550 Effective Instructional Practices for Students with Mild Disabilities PK-8
SPECED.557 Linking Assessment and Instruction
SPECED.558 Methods of Instruction
SPECED.588/589/SPECED.561 Student Teaching/Seminar