Apr 20, 2024  
Graduate Studies Catalog 2021-2022 
    
Graduate Studies Catalog 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Special Education, MS


The MS Special Education program leads to initial PA certification in Special Education, PK-12. The program is 36 credits including a student teaching internship. The application deadline to the program is March 1st. Later applications may be accepted as program capacity allows.

Graduate students who already hold or plan on obtaining their first N-3, K-6, PreK-4, 4-8, 7-12, K-12, or Reading Specialist PA certification, will be required to submit their first PA instructional certificate or a proof of application for their first PA instructional certificate no later than January 1st, before the spring semester of student teaching, or August 1ts before the fall semester of student teaching.  These individuals are required to take Special Education: Content Knowledge and Applications Test (5354) in order to be recommended for graduation. In addition, the graduate students are required to take and pass a Comprehensive Examination as designed and implemented by the Education Department in order to be recommended for graduation.

Graduate students who are planning on obtaining Special Education PK-12 as their initial PA certificate will be required to demonstrate 6 credits of college level Mathematics and 6 credits of English (3 credits of English Literature and 3 credits of Writing) and to submit a passing score on Fundamental Subject: Content Knowledge Test (5511) no later than January 1st, before the spring semester of student teaching, or August 1st before the fall semester of student teaching. These individuals are required to take Special Education: Content Knowledge Application Test (5354) in order to be recommended for graduation.   In addition, the graduate students are required to take and pass a Comprehensive Examination as designed and implemented by the Education Department in order to be recommended for graduation.

Program of Study for MS in Special Education

Students pursuing the Master’s in Special Education must complete a total of 36 graduate credit hours, including an internship, and pass a comprehensive examination. 

Curriculum

Total Program Credits: 36 credits

  Courses Credits
Required Research Course (3 credits)    
EFND 506   Educational Research and Statistics 3
Required Foundation Courses    
EFND 516   Advanced Educational Psychology 3
EFND 521   Advanced Foundations of Education 3
Special Education Coursework    
ERDG 506   Advanced Linguistics: Language Foundations for Teachers of Reading and Writing 3
ESPC 501   Inclusionary Classroom Practices 3
ESPC 510   Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education 3
ESPC 516   Special Education Assessment 3
ESPC 530   Introduction to Assistive Technology in the Classroom 3
ESPC 531   Evidenced-Based Practices for Students with Low Incidence Disabilities 3
ESPC 536   Evidence-Based Practices for Students with High Incidence Disabilities 3
ESPC 541   Principles of Behavior Change for Educators 3
ESPC 551   Special Education Teaching Internship: Planning 1
ESPC 552   Special Education Teaching Internship: Instruction 1
ESPC 553   Special Education Teaching Internship: Classroom Management 1
     
Total Program Credits 36