Special Education for Certified Early Childhood, Elementary, or Secondary Teachers

Are you interested in acquiring new skills for working with exceptional children?

The Master of Education in Special Education for Licensed Teachers is a program designed to help licensed educators more effectively work with students with exceptionalities. Participants will learn about assessments for special education students, analysis of data, curriculum design and adaptation, and planning for differentiation.

Program Options Available for:

M.ED. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

This 34-credit degree program consists of core courses and those in the specialization area.

In addition to completing the coursework, candidates must submit passing Praxis assessment scores (Special Education Content 5355 and Praxis TRE 5205) prior to beginning the practicum. 

REQUIRED COURSES

ED 601 – Theories of Development: A Lifespan Perspective (3 credits)

ED 602 - Social and Psychological Forces Affecting Youth (3 credits)

ED 604 – Contemporary Issues in Education (3 credits)

ED 605 – Research Methods (3 credits)

ED 606 – Action Research/Special Project (3 credits)

ED 688 – Educational Assessment and Diagnosis of Students with Special Needs I (3 credits)

ED 689 – Educational Assessment and Diagnosis of Students with Special Needs II (3 credits)

ED 690 – Curriculum Design and Adaptations for Students with Special Needs I (3 credits)

ED 691 – Curriculum Design and Adaptations for Students with Special Needs II (3 credits)

ED 698A – Special Project Seminar for Special Education (1 credit)

REQUIRED ELECTIVE

Select one course (3 credits)

ED 681 – Curriculum Development for a Multicultural Society (3 credits)

ED 686 - Foundations of Special Education (3 credits)

ED 697 - Reading Strategies for Content Learning (3 credits)

SPECIAL EDUCATION ELECTIVE

Select 3 credits

ED 608PB – Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder through Inclusive Practices (3 credits)

ED 638A - Reading Intervention Strategies: Word Identification (1.5 credits)

ED 644TK - Assistive Technology (3 credits)

ED 647 - Remedial Reading Techniques for Students with Severe Reading Difficulties (1.5 credits)

Specialization Standards

  1. Learner Development and Individual Learning Differences: Beginning special education professionals understand how exceptionalities may interact with development and learning and use this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences for individuals with exceptionalities.
  2. Learning Environments: Beginning special education professional create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners and develop emotional well-being, positive social interactions, and self-determination.
  3. Curricular Content Knowledge: Beginning special education professionals use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for individuals with exceptionalities.
  4. Assessment: Beginning special education professionals use multiple methods of assessment and data-sources in making educational decisions.
  5. Instructional Planning and Strategies: Beginning special education professionals select, adapt, and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning of individuals with exceptionalities.
  6. Professional Learning and Ethical Practice: Beginning special educational professionals use foundational knowledge of the field and their professional Ethical Principles and Practice Standards to inform special education practice, to engage in lifelong learning, and to advance the profession.
  7. Collaboration: Beginning special education professionals collaborate with families, other educators, related service providers, individuals with exceptionalities, and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a range of learning experiences.