Special Education

Graduate study at the master’s level provides a program for persons whose professional aspirations are oriented toward the instruction of exceptional children. It also provides preparation for students wanting to pursue a post-master’s program at the education specialist or doctoral levels. All students in the master’s program participate in practicum experiences selected according to their needs and interests.

The purpose of the doctoral program is to provide experiences that require the highest order of scholarship, research ability, creativity, and initiative. It is designed to prepare leadership personnel to function as highly professional special educators in more than one of the following roles: university or college instructors, researchers, administrators, and supervisors of programs for children with disabilities.

Special Education- General Curriculum

The general special education M.T. program prepares teachers to serve students from across the whole range of mild disabilities in a variety of settings including inclusion classrooms, modified resource rooms, and self-contained programs. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, instructional accommodations, behavior management, and assessment strategies. Students in the Special Education- General Curriculum program must also complete all requirements for a second endorsement area in general education (elementary education, a secondary education content area, or ESL). Students may also elect to complete dual endorsements in Special Education – General Curriculum and Special Education – Adapted Curriculum (although this combination will result in an extended MT program).

Special Education- Adapted Curriculum

This program prepares teachers to serve students from across the whole range of moderate to severe disabilities in a variety of settings including inclusion classrooms, modified resource rooms, and self-contained programs. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, access to the general education curriculum and instructional accommodations, identifying and teaching functional skills, effective communication through multiple modalities, positive behavior support, transition to adulthood, and systematic instructional strategies with data-based decision making. Students in the Special Education – Adapted Curriculum BAMT program must also complete all requirements for a second endorsement area in general education; elementary education. Students may also select to complete dual endorsements in Special Education – General Curriculum and Special Education – Adapted Curriculum (although both combinations will result in an extended MT program). Students in the Masters who enter with licensure need only complete the required coursework for the Special Education – Adapted Curriculum.

Early Childhood - Special Education (Birth to 5 years)

This program integrates psychology, early childhood education, and early childhood education, and early childhood education. The primary mission of the program is to produce high-quality graduates to staff and lead educational programs that serve young children birth through age five with a range of risk and disability conditions. Graduates of the program will be certified to teach children with a wide range of developmental delays including cognitive, communication, social, adaptive behavior, and/or motor skills. Graduates are likely to be employed by public schools, head start programs, early intervention programs, and a wide range of service providers serving young children and their families.

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