The online and hybrid Special Education Master’s degree programs are focused on supporting advanced competencies in teaching related to teaching students with mild-moderate disabilities. Based on Special Education professional standards, the activities in the program address the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed by special education teachers working in today’s classrooms.

Prerequisite (3 cr.)

• K505 Introduction to Special Education for Graduate Students (3 cr.)
  • This course does not count towards the M.S.Ed. in Special Education program or teacher certification.

Degree Requirements

Major Requirements (20 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.)
• S500 Field-Based Seminar in Teacher Education: Orientation to SPEDFIST (2 cr.)
• Select one course from the following:
  • Y510 Action Research I (3 cr.)
  • Y520 Inquiry in Education (3 cr.)

Emphasis Area (12 cr.)
Students choose four classes from different departments or programs in the School of Education to create an area of emphasis.  Current emphasis areas include: Autism, Behavior Disorders, Early Childhood Education, and Instructional Strategies.  One of the 4 chosen courses should be outside the Special Education department.

Capstone Project or Thesis (4 cr.)

• Select one of the following courses:
  • K590 Independent Study or Research in Special Education (3 cr.)
  • K599 Masters Thesis in Special Education (3 cr.)
• K500 Topical Workshop in Special Education (Culminating Seminar) (1 cr.)