MEd in Special Education
Degree Requirements
The Master of Education program emphasizes practical applications. M.Ed. candidates must follow graduate school guidelines with respect to timeliness of committee formation and paperwork completion. A minimum of 30 semester credit hours must be completed in fulfillment of degree requirements. A minimum of 15 of those credit hours must be at or above the 8000 level.
| Core Classes (15 hours) | ||
| SPC_ED 8350 | Research with Exceptional Children | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8440 | Advanced Behavior Management: Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| SPC_ED 7390 | Transition in Special Education | 3 |
| SPC_ED 7330 | Collaboration and Consultation in Special Education | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8215 | Evaluation and Data-Based Decision Making in Special Education | 3 |
| SPC_ED 7320 | Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education | 3 |
| Electives (15 hours) | ||
| SPC_ED 8601 | Introduction to Autism | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8602 | Methods of Instruction for Students with Autism | 3 |
| SPC_ED 7380 | Methods in Cross-Categorical Special Education | 4 |
| SPC_ED 8300 | Students with Behavioral Disorders | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8406 | Differentiating Instruction: Reaching Gifted, Typical and Struggling Learners | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8353 | Advanced Studies: Single Subject Design | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8330 | Advanced Teaching Mathematics in Special Education | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8336 | Applications of Science of Reading for Children with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8325 | Language and Communication in Special Education | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8604 | Autism without Co-occurring Intellectual Disability | 3 |
| Or other SPC_ED or education graduate course with advisor approval | ||
Admission Criteria
Application Submission/Completion Deadline:
Fall deadline: May 1
Spring deadline: October 1
Summer deadline: March 1
Faculty selection committees review applications for admission into the various graduate programs. Factors considered in the graduate student review process include previous academic course work and performance, letters of recommendation from professors or professional supervisors and relevant professional work experiences. The letter of intent is evaluated for advising purposes and is an indication of the applicant’s motivation, professionalism and writing competencies. Interviews with faculty are often arranged as part of the admissions review process.
Required Application Materials
- Unofficial transcripts of all prior coursework
- Minimum GPA: 3.0/4.0
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of recommendation (minimum 2 letters; confidential and sent through the online application system)
- Personal Data Sheet
- Official GRE scores (if applicable)
- Official English Proficiency scores (if applicable)
Confirmation Materials (required to finalize admission upon acceptance, sent to the Graduate School):
- Official transcripts
- Any additional required documentation
The Special Education graduate program cannot assure admission to all applicants who meet minimum standards specified for the degree program. Resource constraints do not permit the admission of all qualified applicants.
A committee of faculty reviews the credentials of each applicant. It is the responsibility of this committee to exercise professional judgment related to the criteria that applicants must meet in order to be considered for admission to the program. An interview may be required by the admissions committee. Please feel free to submit any other materials that you feel would give a clearer picture of your qualifications.
Conditional acceptance
Conditional acceptance into the program is not provided for those students who wish to pursue English language training in the U.S. prior to starting their graduate studies. Applications submitted will be reviewed for admission into the program as per the criteria.
Financial Aid from the Program
Some programs require an extra form or statement from those who wish to be considered for internal assistantships, fellowships or other funding packages. Check the program website or ask the program contact for details.
Retention
To remain in good standing in the master’s program and earn a master’s degree, each student must earn and maintain an overall grade point of 3.0 or higher in all required and elective course work each semester. If student’s GPA falls below 3.0 for any semester, they will be dropped from the degree program. If students receive a grade of “C” in any core or required course, remedial activities will be required. Students must also complete course work assigned a grade of “I” prior to the end of the following semester.
Degree Completion
Master's candidates must follow the guidelines of the Graduate School with respect to timeliness and committee formations and complete paperwork.
Satisfactory Progress
For information on general progress guidelines and the dismissal policy, see the Special Education website.