The Department of Teaching and Learning offers two options for a program of study at the master’s level: a general option or a certification option. Students choosing the General Option enroll in 12 credits of core requirements and 18 credits that reflect a focus area of study. Students following the Certification Option enroll in 12 credits of core requirements and apply 18 credits of their certification credits, taken at the graduate level, to the degree. This program is created in consultation with a faculty advisor. Students choosing the Certification Option must be accepted into one of the Department of Teaching and Learning’s Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Programs as well as the Graduate Program. Certification programs include:
- Early Childhood Education (0-8 yrs)
- Primary/Middle and Middle/Secondary Education (grades K-9 or 6-12 in the areas of learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities, and emotional disturbance)
Up to 15 credits of coursework in the certification program may be applied to the Master’s degree in addition to 15 credits of core requirements.
Under the auspices of the PhD program in Urban Education, the Department offers doctoral level training with a designated specialization in Exceptional Education.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Admission
An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program:
- Personal interview to determine an applicant’s basis for seeking admission, potential for completion of the program, and relevant background and experience in exceptional education.
Credits and Courses
The minimum degree requirement is 30 graduate credits, of which 18 credits must be in Exceptional Education. The remaining credits may be taken either in or outside of the School of Education. Courses in either the Certification Option or General Option are determined in consultation with an advisor from suggested course options identified by the Department.
Program Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EXCEDUC 715 | Issues and Trends in Exceptional Education | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 770 | Seminar: Research on Individuals With Special Needs | 3 |
| Advanced Issues or Methods in Urban Special Education (determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor). | 3 | |
| EXCEDUC 890 | Master's Research Project | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Certification Option (Up to 15 credits)
A student pursuing the Certification Option must be admitted to the Department of Teaching and Learning’s Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program (consult Undergraduate Bulletin for more information on admission dates and requirements). In consultation with an advisor, a student selects up to 18 credits of coursework required in the certification program for graduate credit. Additionally, the student enrolls in 12 credits of program core requirements. Listed below are the courses in each of the certification programs that can be taken for graduate credit.
Instruction
Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence (MCEA)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EXCEDUC 532 | Assessment and Monitoring | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 574 | Curriculum Accommodations II: Primary/Middle | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 588 | Teaching Experience III | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 601 | Behavioral Supports | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 662 | Collaborative Strategies | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 605 | Child, Learner, Disabilities | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 681 | Literacy II | 3 |
Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EXCEDUC 533 | Assessment/Monitoring : Deaf & Hard of Hearing | 1 |
| EXCEDUC 562 | Hearing Science | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 563 | Speechreading/Auditory Rehabilitation | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 564 | Communication Methods Practicum | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 565 | Techniques of Teaching School Subjects to Individuals w/Hearing Impairments II | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 587 | Teaching Experience II | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 588 | Teaching Experience III | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 605 | Child, Learner, Disabilities | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 671 | Behavior Support & Intervention for Mid/High Students with Disabilities | 3 |
Early Adolescence/Adolescence (EAA)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CURRINS 545 | Reading in the Content Areas: Middle, Junior, and Senior High School | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 532 | Assessment and Monitoring | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 576 | Curriculum Accommodations III: Functional for Middle to High Students | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 605 | Child, Learner, Disabilities | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 635 | Individualized Planning & Instructional Methods | 2 |
| EXCEDUC 636 | Curriculum Accommodations | 2 |
| EXCEDUC 662 | Collaborative Strategies | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 681 | Literacy II | 3 |
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EXCEDUC 568 | Curriculum and Methods for Special Education: Birth to Three | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 569 | Curriculum and Methods for Special Education: Preschool | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 570 | Curriculum and Methods for Special Education: Primary | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 586 | Teaching Experience I | 3 |
| EXCEDUC/CURRINS 612 | Collaborations for Teachers with Families, Schools, and Communities | 3 |
| EXCEDUC/ED PSY 613 | Infant and Early Childhood Assessment | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 647 | Early Childhood Special Education Field Experience: 0 to 3 Yrs | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 648 | Early Childhood Special Education Field Experience: Preschool | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 649 | Early Childhood Special Education Field Experience: Primary | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 682 | Language and Literacy in Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 776 | Fieldwork with Students Having Early Childhood-Exceptional Education Needs | 3 |
Administration and Supervision
In cooperation with Administrative Leadership
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AD LDSP 780 | Internship in Student Service Administration | 3 |
| AD LDSP 805 | Legislative and Legal Aspects of Special Education | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 579 | Current Topics in Exceptional Education: | 1-3 |
| EXCEDUC 960 | Seminar: Administration/Supervision of Programs for Exceptional Individuals | 3 |
| Total Credits | 10-12 | |
General Option (15 credits)
The general option for a Master’s program in Exceptional Education is developed by identifying a theme of study that is based upon the student’s educational background, areas of professional interest, and professional development goals. A theme, for example, may focus on assessment, instruction, policy, or other relevant issues in the area of special education. Courses are selected in consultation with a faculty advisor.
Additional Requirements
Major Professor as Advisor
The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise the student’s studies as specified in Graduate School regulations.
Thesis
A thesis or master’s project is required for all students in the certification and general options. All students are required to present the results of their thesis or project at a seminar session in the semester in which they complete their degree.
Time Limit
The student must complete all degree requirements within five years of initial enrollment.
Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Education
Specialization in Exceptional Education
Under the auspices of the doctoral program in Urban Education, the Department of Teaching and Learning provides doctoral training with a specialization in Exceptional Education. The program emphasizes the study of the socio-cultural context, educational policy, research-based practices, and systems change and reform to support learning and development of individuals with disabilities. Prospective doctoral students wishing to specialize in Exceptional Education must first be admitted to the Urban Education Doctoral Program. Admission and general program requirements can be obtained from the Director of Doctoral Studies in Urban Education. This program is described in detail on the Urban Education program page.
Accelerated Program Option
This program is offered as part of an accelerated graduate program. For more information, see Accelerated Graduate Degrees.