Special Education (M.S.) (Fall 2008)
Administered by the Department of Exceptionality Programs
Effective Fall 2008
Admission. Applicants seeking admission to the master's degree programs must satisfy the general admission requirements for the School of Graduate Studies. The following additional 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
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 packet prior to the completion of 12 graduate credits. Required GPA, licensing exams, field experience, child abuse and criminal clearance, and liability information is described within the packet.
Graduation. Students seeking the M.S. in Special Education or the M.S. in Exceptionalities without certification must complete requirements as listed below.
Requirements - Special Education (M.S.)
- Choice A: Thesis option - 24 hours course work plus six credits for thesis
- Choice B: Department paper option - 30 hours of course work plus department paper
- Choice C: Course work option - 36 hours course work.
Core requirements (9 credits)
70.565 Reading and Interpreting Research in Special Education; OR
79.591 Research in Education
70.575 Seminar in Current Issues in Special Education
70.591 Practicum in Special Education
Electives (a minimum of 12 credits must be taken in special education):
70.501 Administration and Supervision in Special Education
70.502 Principles of Special Education Law
70.503 Curricular Design and Instruction for Inclusive Education
70.506 Introduction to Early Intervention
70.516 Psychology of Exceptional Individuals
70.522 Mathematics for Students with Special Needs
70.526 Transition Services for Individuals with Special Needs
70.533 Language Arts for Students with Special Needs
70.540 Educating Individuals with Moderate/Severe Disabilities
70.544 Diagnostic and Remedial Techniques (recommended if previous assessment course is older than five years)
70.547 Technology and Exceptional Individuals
70.550 Elementary Methods for Individuals with Mild Disabilities
70.551 Secondary Methods for Individuals with Mild Disabilities
70.552 Project in Special Education
70.559 Seminar in Special Education
70.570 Foundations Behavior Intervention and Support
70.572 Seminar in Behavior Disorders
70.595 Internship
70.596 Special Workshop 1 (1-6 credits)
70.597 Special Workshop 2 (1-6 credits)
70.598 Special Workshop 3 (1-6 credits)
70.599 Master's Research Paper
With adviser approval, students may also choose additional elective graduate courses in related fields such as reading, early childhood, elementary and secondary education, psychology and sociology. Coursework for a special education supervisory certificate may be incorporated into the M.S. in special education.