Both the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses offer, for regular and special education teachers, special education certification and master's degree programs in Exceptional Needs: Mild/Moderate Intervention. Non-education majors also may earn a basic teaching license with special education certification at both campuses. For certification information, see the section titled Licensure Programs. Master's programs may be tailored to meet students' specific needs and interests. Students typically complete this degree as a sequel to earning certification.

The master's degree program on the Bloomington campus provides teachers and other practitioners with an opportunity to develop skills in teaching students who display problems in learning and behavior. The program offers teachers course work for improving and broadening their teaching skills, and unlicensed teachers an opportunity to earn certification in exceptional needs: mild/moderate intervention for teaching students with exceptional needs. The program offers courses in curriculum and assessment, teaching methods, teaming and collaboration, assistive technology, and other aspects of special education.

Master's degree programs in severe disabilities is available only at IUPUI. Since 2002, the Indiana University School of Education at IUPUI has offered a merged certification in both mild and intense intervention. Eligible candidates must be certified teachers.

Admission to the master's program in special education requires, in addition to meeting School of Education standards, an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 and one year of full-time professional experience with children or adolescents (preferably in teaching or applied practice). To earn a master's degree in special education, students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours. Depending on their interests and professional goals, students may select various electives in addition to the core required course work:

Special Education (Residential and Online) - Bloomington

Prerequisite (3 cr.)

• K505 Introduction to Special Education for Graduate Students (3 cr.)

Special Education Core Course Work (20 cr.)

• K500 Topical Workshop in Special Education: Orientation (2 cr.)
• K535 Assessment and Remediation of the Mildly Handicapped I (3 cr.)
• K536 Assessment and Remediation of the Mildly Handicapped II (3 cr.)
• K548 Families, School and Society (3 cr.)
• K553 Classroom Management and Behavior Support (3 cr.)
• K565 Collaboration and Service Delivery (3 cr.)
• Y510 Action Research I (3 cr.) OR Y520 Inquiry in Education (3 cr.)

Elective Course Work (12 cr.)
All students must choose four elective courses in special education or from other related coursework in the School of Education. Coursework must be approved by the faculty advisor.

Capstone Project or Thesis (4 cr.)
You must complete your research course (Y510 or Y520) before enrolling for your thesis course work.

• K590 Independent Study in Special Education (3 cr.) OR K599 Research in Special Education (3 cr.)
• K590 Independent Study in Special Education (1 cr.)

Special Education - Indianapolis

Required (9 cr.)

• J500 Instruction in the Context of Curriculum (3 cr.)
• Choose one of the following courses (3 cr.)
  NOTE: If foundations course was taken during undergraduate degree, could possibly substitute that course.  Must be approved by faculty advisor.
  • H504 History of Education (3 cr.)
  • H520 Education and Social Issues (3 cr.)
  • H530 Philosophy of Education (3 cr.)
• Y520 Strategies for Educationtal Inquiry (3 cr.)

Specialized Studies (12 cr.)
Certification courses can apply here.  Choose four courses (12 cr. total) from within the Special Education program

Electives (9 cr.)
Approved by faculty advisor, cannot use practicum.

• One course (3 cr.) from within the Special Education program
• Two courses (6 cr. total) from outside the Special Education program

Master's project, thesis or courses (6 cr.)
Approved by faculty advisor, cannot use practicum.