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 5650 Introduction to Exceptional Children (3) (overlaps with multicultural requirement)

Core Requirements (9-10 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 (3-4 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 7214 An Interpretative History of African American Education: 1700 to 1950 (3)
• ESCE 7741 Multicultural and Social Justice Issues in Counseling (4) (Counselor Education Only)
• ESSPED 5650 Introduction to Exceptional Children (3)
• EDUTL 5005 Equity and Diversity (3)

Research Requirement (3 hours)

Students in HI or O&M tracks should consult with their advisor regarding the research requirement.

• ESSPED 8861 Behavioral Research Methods in Applied Settings (3)

Specialization Requirements (22–27 hours)

Select one concentration

Early Intervention Specialist Concentration (22 hours)

• ESSPED 5722 Communication Skills for Children with Moderate-Intensive Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 5734 Methods of Instruction for Elementary Children with Mild-Moderate 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 5761 Educational Intervention for Young Children with Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 5769 Delivering Effective Services to Enhance the Inclusion of Students with Special Needs (3)
• ESSPED 8189 Field Experience in Special Education (4)

Moderate to Intensive Intervention Specialist Concentration (22 hours)

• ESSPED 5722 Communication Skills for Children with Moderate-Intensive Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 5738 Reading Instruction for Children with Disabilities and Severe Reading Deficits (3)
• 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 5769 Delivering Effective Services to Enhance the Inclusion of Students with Special Needs (3)
• KNPE 5676 Programming for Severe Physical Impairments (3)
• ESSPED 8189 Field Experience in Special Education (4)

Mild to Moderate Intervention Specialist Concentration (22 hours)

• ESSPED 5722 Communication Skills for Children with Moderate-Intensive Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 5734 Methods of Instruction for Elementary Children with Mild-Moderate Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 5735 Methods of Instruction for Secondary Students with Mild-Moderate Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 5738 Reading Instruction for Children with Disabilities and Severe Reading Deficits (3)
• ESSPED 5743 Educational Assessment of Students with Mild-Moderate Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 5769 Delivering Effective Services to Enhance the Inclusion of Students with Special Needs (3)
• ESSPED 8189 Field Experience in Special Education (4)

Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration (minimum 22 hours)

If you intend to sit for the BCBA exam, some of these courses are not optional. Work with your advisor to select courses.

Prerequisites

• ESSPED 5742 Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers (3)

Required Courses

• ESSPED 8189 Field Experience in Special Education (4)
• ESSPED 8832 Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis (3)

Choose at least 6 courses from the list below:

• ESSPED 5722 Communication Skills for Children with Moderate-Intensive Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 5734 Methods of Instruction for Elementary Children with Mild-Moderate Disabilities (3)
• 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 5750 Classroom Management (3)
• ESSPED 5760 Educational Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education (3)
• ESSPED 5761 Educational Intervention for Young Children with Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 7830 Urban Education & Precision Teaching (3)
• ESSPED 8200 Basic Behavior Analysis (3)
• ESSPED 8871 Behaviorism: Schedules and Translational Research (3)
• ESSPED 8874 Behavioral Research in Education (3)
• ESSPED 8891 Contemporary Issues in Special Education (3)
• ESSPED 8916 Behaviorism: Applications and Implications of Skinner’s Works (1.5)
• ESSPED 8917 Verbal Behavior and Behaviorism: Applications and Implications of Skinner's Works (1.5)
• ESSPED 8921 Ethical Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
• ESSPED 8922 Topics in Early Childhood Special Education (3)

Dyslexia & Dysgraphia Concentration (22 hours)

Prerequisites

• EDUTL 5468 Reading Foundations (3)
• EDUTL 5469 Understanding Phonics & Its Role in Reading Instruction (3)

Required Courses

• EDUTL 5470 Assessment and Instruction for Struggling Readers (3)
• EDUTL 5471 Clinical Practice in Treating Reading Disabilities (6)

- OR -

• EDUTL 5471 Clinical Practice in Treating Reading Disabilities (3)

- AND -

• ESSPED 5738 Reading Instruction for Children with Disabilities and Severe Reading Deficits (3)
• ESSPED 5743 Educational Assessment of Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3)
• EDUTL 7430 Phonics, Word Study, and the Complexities of English Orthography (3)
• ESSPED 7239 Effective Instruction for Students with Dysgraphia and Other Learning Differences/ Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 8189 Field Experience in Special Education (4)

Hearing Impairment Intervention Specialist Concentration (27 hours)

Prerequisites

• ESEPSY 5410 or HDFS 2410 or HDFS 2420 or
• PSYCH 3550 or 3551 Child or Adolescent Development/Learning (3)
• EDUTL 5468 Reading Foundations (3)
• EDUTL 5469 Understanding Phonics & Its Role in Reading Instruction (3)

Required Courses

• ESSPED 5734 Methods of Instruction for Elementary Children with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 5743 Educational Assessment of Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 5557 Language and Children with Disabilities (3)

- OR -

• ESSPED 5722 Communication Skills for Children with Moderate/Intensive Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 6556 Reading for Students with Hearing Disabilities (3)
• ESSPED 7550 Advanced Studies in Deafness (3)
• ESSPED 5189 Planned Field Experience (4)
• ESSPED 5191 Student Teaching (8)

Orientation and Mobility Concentration (25 hours)

• ESSPED 5510 Orientation and Mobility (2)
• EDUTL 5507 Visual Processes (3)
• ESSPED 6510 O&M Intermediate Seminar (3)
• ESSPED 6520 O&M Techniques & Methods I (2)
• ESSPED 7189 Advanced Field Placement (2)
• ESSPED 6511 O&M Advanced Seminar (3)
• ESSPED 6521 O&M Advanced Techniques & Methods II (2)
• ESSPED 6512 O&M Special Topics Seminar (2)
• ESSPED 5191 Internship (4)
• ESSPED 8189 Field Experience in Special Education (2)

Thesis Requirement (3 hours)

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

Minimum hours: 34-40 with thesis