Special Education

Specialist Program

Admissons

Prerequisites to EDS Degree

Most students entering the EDS program will already have masters level training in at least one categorical area of special education. These students concentrate their work on the 30 minimum hour program of study. Students entering the EDS program with masters level preparation in some other teaching or related field will be required to develop basic knowledge in special education by completing at least the 15 hours listed below in addition to the 30 minimum hour program of study.

SPED 7230 Methods for Teaching Social Skills
SPED (Seminar)
SPED (Methods)
SPED (Methods)
SPED 7440 Practicum

*Students must complete the above course work (15 semester hours), or its graduate equivalent, prior to completion of the EDS degree if the course work was not part of their master's degree program of study.

Program of Study

The program of study for the EDS degree is planned jointly by the student and his/her advisor based on prior study, future goals, and within the framework described on the attached program of study sheet. This framework is intended to develop advanced knowledge and skills beyond masters level preparation. Courses taken during the masters degree may not be used to satisfy EDS program requirements.

Tentative Program of Study (30 Hours)

Core Content (9)

SPED 8320 Laws Affecting Individuals with Disabilities
SPED 8370 Single-Subject Research Methodology in Special Education
ERSH 8320 Correlation and Regression in Education
ERSH 7400 Qualitative Research in Education
SPED 9600 Issues and Trends in Special Education

Area of Specialization (15)

SPED 9800 Advanced Practicum in Special Education EDUL 7800 Practicum in Educational Leadership

*A minimum of three (3) hours must be taken from a department other than special education.

Research (6)

ERSH 6300-Statistical Methods in Education
ERSH 8410-Qualitative Data Collection in Education
ERSH 8310-Analysis of Variance in Education
SPED 7650-Applied Project in Special Education
EDUL 7650 (3)-Applied Project in Educational Administration.

Specialist's (Ed.S.) Degree in Special Education w/ Concentration: Autism

Specialist (Ed.S.) Degree in Special Education

Time Limit

All requirements for the EDS degree must be completed within six years, beginning with the first registration for courses on the student's program of study. An extension of time may be granted only on conditions beyond the control of the student.

Exit Criteria

Prior to completion of the EDS degree, students must satisfactorily present and defend their Applied Program (SPED 7650) to their faculty advisory committee. The committee is to be composed of three members of the graduate faculty, one of whom may be from a department other than special education. This project will demonstrate the student's application of advanced knowledge and skills developed during the EDS program of study.