The Graduate Studies Program in Special Education is designed to provide teachers with the necessary educational background to meet the educational, emotional, and social goals of the special needs child. Students take course in the areas of assessment, curriculum, and behavior strategies.

Candidates who complete this program will satisfy the requirements for either elementary or secondary-level certification for children with mild and moderate disabilities. The program can also give additional expertise to individuals who have already completed an undergraduate program and are presently special education teachers.

Program Requirements:

All requirements for the master's degree must be completed within a period of five calendar years.  To receive the degree, a student is required to maintain a "B" average in all work.  Students must pass a comprehensive examination in their field of concentration for the degree of Master of Education in Administration, Counseling and Special Education.  A portfolio must also be completed to achieve certification status.
*Fulfillment of state certification requirements is the responsibility of the graduate student.

Special Education
Students who have completed an undergraduate program in special education will not follow this sequence of courses but will work out a program with their advisor, which will meet their needs and interests. 

The following courses are required in the master's program in special education on the elementary level:

The following courses are required in the master's program in special education leading to initial certification:

EDU 501       Fundamentals of Research
EDU 571       Communication Disorders
EDU 606       Teaching Reading to Students with Special Needs
EDU 608       Assessment of Individual Differences
EDU 613       Vocational Programming (Secondary Certification)
EDU 616       Advanced Assessment
EDU 617       Behavior Strategies
EDU 622       Reading in the Content Area
EDU 630       Practicum Teaching Internship (Elementary)
EDU 631       Practicum Teaching Internship (Secondary)
EDU 634       Assessment/Curriculum for the Student with
                   Mild/Moderate Disabilities at the Middle School and Elementary Level
EDU 637       Assessment/Curriculum for the Student with Mild/Moderate Disabilities at                     the Middle School and Secondary Level
EDU 649       Collaboration: Home/SchooVCommunity

EDU 811   Special Education for Children from Diverse Background

EDU 823  Introduction and Characteristics of Student with Special Needs

Students who have completed a certification program in special education will follow this sequence of courses:

EDU 501      Fundamentals of Research
EDU 566      Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Responsibility and 
                     Liability for Schools  
                     or
EDU 822      Introduction to Differentiated Instruction
EDU 606      Teaching Reading to Students with Special Needs
EDU 616      Advanced Assessment
EDU 617      Behavior Strategies
EDU 639      Inclusion: Issues and Strategies
                     or
EDU 599     Teaching Students with Autism
EDU            Elective Reading Course
EDU            Electives (15 credit hours)

(For a total of 36 credit hours)

Dr. Thomas Flaherty, Program Director
Phone: (401) 865-2247
Location: Harkins Hall 209