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Online Master of Education in Special Education curriculum

Curriculum Details

31 total credits required

You can complete the online Master of Education in Special Education program in three semesters.

This 12-course program has a built-in concentration in autism.

View the course catalog.

Prerequisite Course

Credits

This course provides a definition of exceptionalities and introduction to children with exceptional needs in schools. The primary focus of this class is the educator’s role and responsibilities in meeting the needs of students with exceptionalities. The course covers characteristics, legal provisions, and pre-referral procedures, and instructional accommodations.

Research

Credits

A study of research methods, procedures and design. Emphasis is placed upon critical thinking, evaluation and application. 

Note(s): Recommended to take by second semester of enrollment.

Professional Development

Credits

The course is designed to examine the cultural, pedagogical, and social factors that can impact children’s development and academic achievement. Developmental psychologists suggest that cultural, pedagogical, and social factors can impact children’s development and academic achievement. In order to enhance student learning, teachers must not only be aware of these factors, they must also know how to create responsive educational environments reflective of our pluralistic society.

To prepare classroom teachers for teaching content courses in an online format.

This course is a study of issues currently faced by education. The course is structured by topics that are presently impacting the educational environment. All age perspectives (p-12) and all levels (local, regional, state, and national) are explored in this class. The students are asked to research and explore the past, present, and future of education in light of an examination of current media sources, professional writings, journals, and books. Through critical reflection and research the students are challenged to make direct applications into what is best for education.

Special Education Methods

Credits

Candidates will become knowledgeable and develop skills necessary to assess academic, communication and social needs of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and apply those findings to meaningful educational interventions and progress monitoring. Both formal and informal assessments will be addressed as well as how Assistive Technology and Alternate/Augmentative Systems can enhance the delivery of instruction and student performance. This course includes a field component.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a broad disability category which is composed of three primary behavioral characteristics: deficits in socialization, communication, and a narrow range of interests/activities. Individuals with ASD vary in their intelligence, behaviors, and abilities. Candidates will develop knowledge and skills related to the nature and needs of students with autism including characteristics and eligibility for special education services and supports. Collaboration with school related professionals and families will be explored through a trans-disciplinary team approach leading to an effective partnership from preschool to transition to secondary services.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a broad disability category which is composed of three primary behavioral characteristics: deficits in socialization, communication, and a narrow range of interests/activities. Individuals with ASD vary in their intelligence, behaviors, and abilities. Candidates will develop and implement Functional Behavior Assessments and Individual Behavior Plans focusing on proactive strategies for positive social and academic behavior. Candidates will learn to collect relevant data and use that information to guide the development of behavioral strategies. Specific behavioral strategies effective for students with ASD are addressed. Candidates will apply the research-based principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis with positive supports and strategies with a student with challenging behaviors. This course includes a field component.
Candidates will have an opportunity to discuss, analyze and evaluate current issues and trends in the delivery of special education supports and services; using such evidence to evaluate current practices and its effect on various stakeholders. In addition, candidates will address federal and state rules and regulations for providing supports and services for students with disabilities 3-21 and its impact on the school environment.
The purpose of this course is to provide candidates enrolled in the advanced education programs the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to plan, deliver and assess a standards-based instructional sequence that facilitates learning in a clinical setting.

Content/Methods

Credits

This course recognizes the necessity of a reading teacher to possess a thorough understanding and competence in classroom diagnostic principles and practices for improving learner reading ability. The course attempts to provide experiences, both theoretical and practical in nature, that will enable the prospective or practicing classroom teacher, resource teacher, or reading specialist to gain competence with: (1) the skills of reading, reading assessment tools, and techniques for diagnosing reading strengths and weaknesses of an individual; (2) the procedures for developing individual needs; and (3) specific remediation techniques for correcting varying degrees of reading disability.

This course addresses principles of diagnosis and remediation of math problems, with emphasis on informal and formal assessment techniques and remediation procedures based on identified needs.

Capstone

Credits

The Capstone Experience will allow students to identify, analyze, and synthesize selected areas of educational topics. The outcome of this course is an oral and written exhibition demonstrating a synthesis and application of the overall educational attainment within the program.

Note(s): M.Ed. Middle Grades and Special Education students will nee College of Education permission to take this course; students cannot register themselves. The chair of advanced education programs will register students for the comprehensive exam once they have been cleared to take the exam by his/her adviser. This course is taught pass/fail.

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