Special Education, M.S.

The Special Education program has two options. Option 1 is available to individuals who hold a valid instructional certificate in another area and want to be certified in special education. Option 2 is available to individuals who do not hold an instructional certificate. Students in the program may pursue a Master of Science degree. For option 1, the Master of Science degree requires 41 credits in course work. For option 2, the Master of Science degree requires 54 credits in course work.

Below is the program of study for the two options. All students who are pursuing a Master’s degree must complete the research and foundation course requirements and pass a comprehensive examination.

Research Course Requirement (3 credits)

EFND 506 - Educational Research and Statistics

Foundation Course Requirements (6 credits)

EFND 501 - Educational Psychology *
EFND 516 - Advanced Educational Psychology
EFND 521 - Advanced Foundations of Education *
ECUI 541 - Current Trends in Education
*Required in Option 2.

(Foundation course requirements may be modified depending on course work completed as part of first instructional certificate.)

Note: EFND 501 is not available in Option 1.

Option 1

ECUI 511 - Computer Literacy for Educators
ESPC 501 - Inclusionary Classroom Practices
ESPC 506 - Education of the Exceptional Child
ESPC 516 - Special Education Assessment
ESPC 521 - Assessment Practicum
ESPC 526 - Secondary, Transitional and Vocational Services
ESPC 531 - Curriculum for Low Incidence Disabilities
ESPC 536 - Curriculum for High Incidence Disabilities
ESPC 541 - Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities
ESPC 546 - Professional Seminar
ESPC 551 - Special Education Teaching Internship: Planning
ESPC 552 - Special Education Teaching Internship: Instruction
ESPC 553 - Special Education Teaching Internship: Classroom Management
ESPC 554 - Special Education Teaching Internship: Professional Growth
(Individuals in option 1 who want a special education instructional certificate, but not a Master’s degree are required to complete 34 credits. EFND 506 , Educational Research and Statistics, is waived, as are the foundation course requirements provided the student has taken comparable foundation course work as part of the first instructional certificate.)

Note: Individuals in option 1 must pass the Praxis II, Education of the Exceptional Students: Core Content Knowledge, which is mandated by PDE.

Option 2

ECUI 511 - Computer Literacy for Educators
ECUI 521 - Field Experience I
ECUI 526 - Field Experience II
ECUI 531 - Field Experience III
ESPC 501 - Inclusionary Classroom Practices
ESPC 506 - Education of the Exceptional Child
ESPC 511 - Learning Disabilities
ESPC 516 - Special Education Assessment
ESPC 521 - Assessment Practicum
ESPC 526 - Secondary, Transitional and Vocational Services
ESPC 531 - Curriculum for Low Incidence Disabilities
ESPC 536 - Curriculum for High Incidence Disabilities
ESPC 541 - Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities
ESPC 546 - Professional Seminar
ESPC 551 - Special Education Teaching Internship: Planning
ESPC 552 - Special Education Teaching Internship: Instruction
ESPC 553 - Special Education Teaching Internship: Classroom Management
ESPC 554 - Special Education Teaching Internship: Professional Growth
(Students in option 2 who want a special education instructional certificate, but not a Master’s degree are required to complete 51 credits in course work. EFND 506 , Educational Research and Statistics, is not required.)

Note: Students in option 2 must pass all required Praxis Series tests, which are mandated by PDE.