The Master of Science Degree in Special Education Generalist Option is designed for individuals with teaching degrees who have had no undergraduate preparation in special education and who wish to pursue an endorsement in special education while also achieving a master’s degree. Individuals receiving this degree are prepared to teach special education, advance toward administrative positions, do research in the field, or prepare for a doctoral degree. The degree may be added as an endorsement to an educator license in either elementary or secondary education. Candidates pursuing this degree must have taken SPED 540 within six years of beginning the master’s program. To achieve an endorsement in special education for licensure purposes, candidates must take 6 credits of SPED 584.
All students seeking a degree or post baccalaureate program through the Department of Educational Theory & Practice must obtain criminal background reports by submitting fingerprints to the Licensure Office upon application to Graduate Studies.
Admission Requirements
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants with a lower GPA may be provisionally admitted but are required to take the GRE within the first semester. Scores of 145 verbal, 145 quantitative, and 3.5 writing are expected. Applicants that already have a Master's degree from an accredited institution are not required to meet the GRE requirement.
- Current resume or CV.
- Statement of purpose describing the applicant's professional goals and the purpose of pursing the degree program. One page maximum in narrative format, not bulleted
- Two academic or professional letters of recommendation. Recommendations from those who have a personal relationship with the applicant (such as family members, friends, doctors, or clergy) are not accepted.
- Criminal background report submitted to the College of Education Licensure Officer.
Note: Only 400-level courses or above and one “C” grade can be counted in coursework leading to the Master of Science in Special Education Advanced Studies, Master of Science in Special Education Advanced Studies Option Applied Behavior Analysis Emphasis, and Master of Science in Special Education Generalist.
Note: Master of Science in Special Education Generalist option PRAXIS in special education is required for exit and special education endorsement.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of a special educator
- Follow the ethical codes applicable to their profession
- Follow special education laws and practices
- Implement special education practices that are evidence and researched based
- Understand the need to be a life-long learner in the special education profession
Required Courses
Course List| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|
| EDF 501 | Research Dsgn & Interpretation | 3 |
| or SPED 502 | Research in Special Programs |
| EDF 530 | Adv Human Dev & Learning | 3 |
| 6 |
| RD 517 | Diagnostic Aspects | 3 |
| SPED 505 | Assessment Stdnts-Special Need | 3 |
| SPED 510 | Spec Ed Law Procedur & Practic | 3 |
| SPED 530 | Curr Adapt Spec Populations | 3 |
| SPED 550 | Tchng Stdnts w Emtnl/Bhvrl Dis | 3 |
| SPED 560 | EBP:Stdnts with Learning Disab | 3 |
| SPED 570 | EBP: Intell & Dev Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 600 | Facilitating Positive Behavior | 3 |
| 24 |
| SPED 584 | Student Teaching | 6 |
| 6 |
| Total Minimum Credits | 36 |
Only one “C” grade can be counted in coursework leading to a degree in the Master of Science in Special Education Generalist Option.
