Master of Arts: Special Education

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from this program will:

  • 1. Understand how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
  • 2. Understand individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
  • 3. Work with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
  • 4. Understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
  • 5. Understand how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
  • 6. Understand and use multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
  • 7. Plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
  • 8. Understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
  • 9. Engage in ongoing professional learning and use evidence to continually evaluate their practice, particularly the effects of their choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapt practice to meet the needs of each learner.
  • 10. Seek appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

Program Requirements

TCH-ED 5314Cultural Diversity and Teaching English Language Learners3
EDUC-R&P 5502Advanced Educational Psychology3
TCH-ED 5385Teaching and Learning with Technology3
TCH-ED 5413Mathematics in the Elementary School I3
TCH-ED 5438Culturally Responsive Strategies for Teaching Diverse Learners3
TCH-ED 5463Literacy Intervention across the Disciplines3
EDRD 5439Language and Literacy Across the Disciplines3
EDRD 5502Early Literacy and Language Development3
EDRD 5501Teaching Of Reading3
EDUC-C&I 5523Advanced Literature For Children3
EDUC-C&I 5531Mathematics Learning Difficulties: Identification and Intervention3
EDUC-R&P 5512Adolescent Development and the School3
EDUC-SP 5506Special Education Law, Individualized Education Programs (IEP's), and Transition3
EDUC-SP 5507Introduction To Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical Disabilities3
EDUC-SP 5508Assessment for Special Educators3
EDUC-SP 5509Cognition & Lang Dev In Mild/Mod Cross-Categorical Disabilities3
EDUC-SP 5510Practicum in Special Education1
EDUC-SP 5511Practicum II – Special Education1
EDUC-SP 5512Methods I: Introduction to Teaching Students with Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical3
EDUC-SP 5513Methods II: Teaching Students with Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical Disabilities3
EDUC-SP 5514Understanding and Addressing Challenging Behavior in the Classroom3
EDUC-SP 5515Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers: Understanding and Applying Theories of Behavior3
EDUC-SP 5516Collaborating with Families and Other Professionals3
EDUC-SP 5570Student Teaching in Special Education8
Educational foundations elective:
Cultural Foundations Of Education
Philosophical Foundations Of Education
Sociological Foundations Of Education
Culminating project for the MA in Special Education:
EDUC-C&I 5595Action Research For Practitioners3
Total Credits76