This program is designed for individuals with teaching degrees who have had no undergraduate training in special education and who wish to pursue an endorsement in special education while also earning a master’s degree.
Individuals receiving this degree are prepared to teach special education, advance toward administrative positions, do research in the field, or prepare for a doctoral degree. The degree may be added as an endorsement to a teaching licensure in either elementary or secondary education.
To achieve an endorsement in special education for licensure purposes; candidates must take 6 credits of SPED 584 Student Teaching. Candidates pursuing this degree must have taken SPED 540 within six years of beginning the master’s program.
Most of the courses in this program are offered online or in the evening allowing for flexible completion of the program.
Careers: What can you do with a degree in Special Education with a Generalist Option?
Individuals receiving this degree are prepared to teach special education, advance toward administrative positions, do research in the field, or prepare for a doctoral degree.
Admission Criteria/Application Procedures
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
- Graduate GPA of at least 3.0
- Standardized graduate admission test (GRE)
 |
Online? Mostly Online Evening Classes? Yes Program Length |
Program Structure
| Courses | Credits |
| Professional Core | 6 |
| EDF 501 Research Design and Interpretation OR SPED 502 Research in Special Programs |
3 |
| EDF 530 Advanced Human Development and Learning | 3 |
| Professional Preparation | 27 |
| RD 517 Diagnostic Aspects of Reading Difficulties | 3 |
| SPED 405 Assessment of Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 504 Collaborative Supports in Educational Settings | 3 |
| SPED 510 Professional and Legal Issues in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 530 Curricular Adaptations for Special Populations | 3 |
| SPED 550 Best Practices in Teaching Students with Emotional Disturbance | 3 |
| SPED 560 Best Practices in Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 570 Best Practices in Teaching Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 600 Facilitating Positive Behaviors in the Classroom Environment | 3 |
| Professional Practice | 6 |
| SPED 584 Student Teaching | 6 |
| Total minimum required credits for Generalist Option | 39 |
|
|
 |
||||||||
See also: Graduate Faculty for the College of Education
Contact Us
Please contact the office of Graduate Studies for information about this program, admission requirements, application forms, graduate assistantships and other scholarship information. Contact us as well for information about any of our graduate degree programs.
Our office is located in McMullen Hall, First Floor.
The office is open from 8:00 to 5:00 (Mountain time) Monday through Friday. Office: 406-657-2238 Fax: 406-657-2302
Office of Graduate Studies | 1500 University Dr, Billings, MT 59101 | 406-657-2011
