Master’s Degree Requirements
Department Core (6 hours minimum)
Complements each student’s specialist education in the areas of cultural and linguistic diversity as well as application of research to practice. Students explore issues, trends, and emerging practices related to services for individuals with disabilities from diverse socio-cultural, linguistic, racial and ethnic backgrounds; and develop a framework for culturally and linguistically responsive practice. They also acquire the knowledge and skills required to read, understand, evaluate, and use research to improve professional practice. All Master’s students are required to complete the following core courses:
- SED 380 Cultural/Linguistic Diversity in Special Education
- SED 393 Applied Research in Special Education
Department core courses must be taken for a letter grade and must be completed with a grade of ‘B’ (3.0 GPA) or better to be counted on the degree plan.
Concentration Core (as prescribed by each area)
Provides students with specialist expertise through advanced coursework and collaboration with faculty in their chosen area of concentration, selected from the options below:
- Autism and Developmental Disabilities
- Early Childhood Special Education
- High Incidence Disabilities
All concentration courses must be taken for a letter grade and must be completed with a grade of ‘B’ or better to be counted on the degree plan.
If writing a report, a minimum of 3 hours will be taken as SED 398R
If writing a thesis, a minimum of 6 hours will be taken as SED 698A and SED 698B. A research design and statistics course must be taken for the thesis.
Special Education Electives* (as prescribed by each area)
Consists of coursework in another concentration within the Department of Special Education that complements the major areas of study and matches your interests and professional goals. These electives may also include courses related to the thesis or report. These requirements vary by area of specialization.
Supporting Coursework* (as prescribed by each area)
Consists of elective coursework in a related discipline that complements the major area of study and matches your interests and professional goals. Courses must be selected in consultation with, and approved by, your Academic Adviser and are restricted to organized, graduate, or upper division undergraduate courses outside the Department. Students must take at least 30 hours of Special Education coursework; in some areas, students may take 3 – 6 hours outside the Department of Special Education or an additional 3 – 6 hours in the Department of Special Education. With your Academic Adviser’s approval, courses outside of the Department of Special Education may be taken as credit/no credit.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Students may be advised to take additional coursework as prerequisites for graduate study, based on their prior experience and professional preparation.
The Academic Adviser and the Graduate Adviser must approve any substitutions for required courses.
Expectations for Academic Progress
Students are expected to complete the master's degree program (regardless of concentration area) within 1 year.