Master of Science in Special Education
Advanced Studies Option
The Master of Science in Special Education Advanced Studies Option is designed for individuals who have an undergraduate degree in special education, have a special education endorsement on their teaching certificate, or who wish to pursue advanced studies in special education but do not wish to teach P-12 special education. The degree prepares candidates to teach in a categorical or cross-categorical area of special education, advance toward administrative positions, pursue positions in related fields, do research in special education, or pursue a doctoral degree. Candidates studying for this degree must have taken the following prerequisite courses within six years of beginning the master’s program: SPED 260 or SPED 540, SPED 310, SPED 311, SPED 312, SPED 375, SPED 405, and RD 417 or equivalents. Degree completion requires three courses in the Professional Core (9 credits) and nine courses in the Professional Specialization (27 credits). In the Focused Elective Options, candidates must take at least 6 credits (and may take as many as 9 credits) in one of four areas: Preschool Special Education, Learning Disabilities, Emotional Disturbance, or Developmental Disabilities. In the area of Professional Practice, candidates may choose with the consent of their faculty advisor any combination of 6 to 9 credits involving an additional focused elective, Internship (SPED 590) or Professional Seminar in Special Education (SPED 597). The Thesis option requires 6 credits.
| Courses |
Credits |
| Professional Core |
9 |
| EDF 501 Research Design and Interpretation |
3 |
| EDF 530 Advanced Human Development and Learning |
3 |
| SPED 504 Collaboration in Education and Human Services |
3 |
|
| Professional Specialization |
27 |
| SPED/RD/EC 502 Research in Special Programs |
3 |
| SPED 503 Assistive Technology |
3 |
| SPED 510 Professional and Legal Issues in Special Education |
3 |
| SPED 530 Curricular Adaptations for Special Populations |
3 |
| SPED 543 Supporting Families of Persons with Disabilities |
3 |
| SPED 550 Theory and Practice: Emotional Disturbance |
3 |
| SPED 551 Assessment and Program Planning for Special Populations |
3 |
| SPED 560 Theory and Practice: Learning Disabilities |
3 |
| SPED 570 Theory and Practice: Developmental Disabilities |
3 |
 |
| Focused Elective Options |
6-9 |
|
| Preschool Special Education |
| EC/SPED 521 Models of Early Intervention Services |
3 |
| EC/SPED 526 Special Education Interventions and Adaptations for Children (0-6) |
3 |
| EC 536 Parent/Child/Professional Relationships |
3 |
|
| Learning Disabilities |
| RD 517 Diagnostic Aspects of Reading Difficulties |
3 |
| RD 594 Clinic |
3 |
| EDCI 648 Teaching Mathematics to Learners with Special Needs |
3 |
| RD 520 Content Area Reading and Writing |
3 |
|
| Emotional Disturbance |
| SPED 555 Models for Services to ED/BD Students |
3 |
| SPED 600 Facilitating Positive Behaviors in the Classroom Environment |
3 |
| REHA/SCOU 505 Theories of Counseling |
3 |
|
| Developmental Disabilities |
| REHA 525 Vocational Placement and Support |
3 |
| SPED 574 Data-Based Instruction |
3 |
| SPED 600 Facilitating Positive Behaviors in the Classroom Environment |
3 |
|
| Professional Practice |
3-6 |
| SPED 590 Internship |
3-6 |
| OR |
| SPED 597 Professional Seminar in Special Education |
3 |
| OR |
| SPED 599 Thesis |
6 |
|
| Total minimum credits |
48 |
NEXT: Master of Science in Special Education - Generalist Option |
