Special Education
Program Purposes
This program is designed for certified teachers or candidates who are eligible for certification to prepare for special education positions.
The area of concentration is Special Education Teachers of Students with Disabilities in Individualized General Education Programs.
Certification
This program is intended to lead to certification as a generic special educator of students with mild/moderate disabilities at the Elementary / Middle (K-8) or Secondary / Adult (6-12) levels.
Program Objectives
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- diagnose educational problems
- prescribe educational programs to meet the needs of individual students
- teach students with special needs
- serve as an inclusion resource teacher with general education classroom teachers
- evaluate current research in the field of special education, apply new approaches to the classroom, and contribute new information and ideas to the field
Special Admission Criteria
Applicants to this program must hold or be eligible for certification as a public school teacher.
Program Description
Professional Education Core
EDUC 603 Principles and Practices of Research
EDUC 606 Developmental Theory and Experiential Growth
EDUC 640 Curriculum Development
Special Education Core
SPED 561 Characteristics of Exceptional Learners
SPED 562 Introduction to the Education of Exceptional Learners
SPED 601 Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation of Exceptional Learners
SPED 602 Instructional Content and Practices for Exceptional Learners
SPED 603 Planning and Managing the Teaching and Learning Environment
SPED 604 Managing Student Behavior and Social Interaction Skills
SPED 605 Communication & Collaborative Partnerships in Special Education Programs
SPED 691 Seminar in Special Education
Electives: 3-6 credits
Capstone: 3 credits
EDUC 700 Project in special education |
Special Degree Requirements
- Study Plan: A study plan, that must be completed at the beginning of the program at the interview with the Program Coordinator, is required for all students in special education. This is expected to occur prior to registering for the first course. Once approved, changes in the study plan require the permission of the advisor and the Program Coordinator.
- Admission to Candidacy: Admission to Candidacy occurs when the student has completed a minimum of 15 credits and a maximum of 18 credits. Students must have completed the three Professional Core courses (EDUC 603, EDUC 606, and EDUC 640) as part of this admission process. Six credits within the Special Education Core must have also been completed. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required as well as the approval of the advisor and two other faculty members who have taught the student. Transfer courses are not counted toward the 15-18 credits unless they are accepted as equivalent courses and then the grades are not calculated in the GPA. The advisor and the Program Coordinator have the right to require that a student remediate deficiencies even if that requires extra courses, or require that a student be disenrolled from the program based on the student's aptitude and professional growth and potential. If disenrolled, the student has the right to appeal to the Educational Professions Graduate Leadership Team. If the appeal is denied, the student may reapply to the program after one year.
Demonstration of Competencies
In addition to the degree candidacy conditions set forth in the Master of Education program description, candidates for a Master of Education Degree in Special Education must pass the Special Education portion of Praxis II and demonstrate research-based technological competencies appropriate to the instruction of exceptional individuals.
Special Education Coordinator: Dr. Oma Gail Simmons / Phone: 301-687-4432
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