Special Education (EDUCST-MA, SPE)

Specialization leading to Master of Arts in Educational Studies

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Prerequisites (3 hours)

The following course, or its equivalents, is a pre-requisite for the program. See your advisor to discuss additional pre-requisites depending on specialization and scheduling. These hours do not apply to the total credit hours for the degree.

• ESSPED 6650 Introduction to Exceptional Children (3) (overlaps with multicultural requirement)
• ESSPED 5742 Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers (3)  [For ABA concentration only]

Core Requirements (9 hours)

Foundations Requirement (3 hours)

• ESPHE 6250 History of Education (3)
• ESPHE 7572 History of Colleges and Universities (3)
• ESPHE 6410 Philosophy of Education (3)

Multicultural and Human Diversity Requirement (3 hours)

If an introductory special education course has already been taken, it does not need to be taken again. If it was taken as an undergraduate, students should select one of the other Multicultural and Human Diversity course options.

• ESEADM 6360 School and Community Relations (3)
• ESHESA 7520 Diversity in Higher Education (3)
• ESCFE 8209  Cultural Processes in Education (3)
• ESCFE 7214 An Interpretative History of African American Education: 1700 to 1950 (3)
• ESCFE 7215 An Interpretive History of African American Education:  1950 to present (3)
• ESSPSY 7028  Cultural Diversity:  Developing a Multicultural Awareness (3)
• ESEPOL 5217  Comparative Education (3)
• ESSPED 6650 Introduction to Exceptional Children (3)
• ESWDE 5672  Lifelong Learning in the Adult Years (3)

Research Requirement (3 hours)

• ESSPED 8861 Single Case Design (3)

Specialization Requirements (18–27 hours)

Students need to choose either Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration or General Special Education Studies

Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration (21 hours)

Required Courses

• ESSPED 8200 Basic Behavior Analysis (3)ESSPED 8300    Behavioral Assessment (3)
• ESSPED 8400 Behavioral Interventions in Special Education (4)
• ESSPED 8500 Personnel Management and Supervision (2)
• ESSPED 8832 Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
• ESSPED 8921  Ethical Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis (3)

Electives:

• ESSPED 5736 Methods of Instruction I for Students with Moderate-Intensive Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 5737 Methods of Instruction II for Students with Moderate-Intensive Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 5738 Reading Instruction for Children with Disabilities and Severe Reading Deficits (3)
• ESSPED 5760 Educational Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education (3)
• ESSPED 8891 Contemporary Issues in Special Education (3)

Planned Field Experience Requirement (6 hours)

• ESSPED 8189 Field Experience in Special Education (6)

General Special Education Studies (18 hours)

Required Courses (9 hours)

• ESSPED 5777 Cultural Diversity and Equity in Special Education Classroom and Settings (3)
• ESSPED 8891 Contemporary Issues in Special Education (3)
• ESSPED 8998 Research Apprenticeship (3)

Electives (9 hours)

Work with your Advisor to choose 9 additional credits. You may select from the following suggestions or choose other courses that align with your goals and interests.

• ESSPED 5283  Collaborating with Diverse Families & Professionals (1.5)
• ESSPED 5282  Collaboration & School Community Partnerships  (1.5)
• ESSPED 5850  Fundamentals of Dyslexia Screening & Intervention (3)
• ESSPED 5769  Delivering Effective Services to Enhance Inclusion (3)

Electives: Credits are in addition to Specialization Requirements
Students may select a licensure-only strand as part of the MA program. An initial licensure is needed for P-5 Elementary Intervention, Mild to Moderate, and Moderate to Intensive. No initial licensure is needed for Hearing Impairment (HI) because this is an initial licensure.

Thesis Requirement (minimum 3 hours)

• ESSPED 7999 Thesis Research: Special Education (minimum 3)

Non-Thesis (min. 3 hours)

• ESSPED 8193 Individual Studies (3)

Minimum hours: 34-40 with thesis