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

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

This program is designed to help general educators more effectively work with students with special needs. Participants will learn about assessments for special education students, analysis of data, curriculum design and adaptation, and planning for differentiation.

Program Options Available for:

Master of Education degree (37 credits)
Professional Development Certificate (22 credits)

M.ED. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

This 37-credit graduate program consists of 15 credits taken from the core courses, 10 credits in the specialization area, 6 credits in clinical courses, 3 credits in action research, and 3 credits taken from the elective courses in the master’s program.

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

CORE COURSES

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

ED 605 – Research Methods (3 credits)

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

Select two courses (6 credits)

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

ED 603 – Personality Development and Self-Esteem (3 credits)

ED 604 – Contemporary Issues in Education (3 credits)

ACTION RESEARCH

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

SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSESSMENT AND INSTRUCTION

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

CLINICAL COURSES

ED 651 – Educating for Character (1.5 credits)

ED 652 – Mediation of Conflict (1.5 credits)

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

ELECTIVES

Select one course (3 credits)

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

ED 608PC – Differentiating Instruction: Responding to Every Student’s Needs (3 credits)

Specialization Standards

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.
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.
Curricular Content Knowledge: Beginning special education professionals use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for individuals with exceptionalities.
Assessment: Beginning special education professionals use multiple methods of assessment and data-sources in making educational decisions.
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.
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.
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.