School of Teacher Education

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Master of Arts in Special Education: Learning and Behavior Disorders #0457

3 Pathways

The Exceptional Education program area offers courses and experiences for the advanced preparation of teachers holding Learning and Behavioral Disorders certification or another certifiable area. The Program Requirements comprise 30 hours. Three distinct pathways are defined depending on prior certification type of the applicants.

 

	Title	Hours
Required Courses for all 3 Pathways
SPED 501	Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis	3
SPED 534	Research in Exceptional Child Education	3
SPED 530	Advanced Assessment Techniques	3
SPED 630	Special Education Law and Finance	3
SPED 595	Advanced Preparation Capstone for Special Education	3
Select one of 3 pathways based on prior certification		15
1. Advanced Pathway (for students holding prior LBD certification) 15 hours
SPED 502	Positive Behavior Supports
SPED 517	Transition Services and Programs for Individuals with Disabilities
SPED 525	Intervention Support for Students with Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities
Advisor Approved Electives (6 hours)
2. Certification Pathway (for students holding prior MSD certification) 15 hours
SPED 533	Seminar: Curriculum for Learning and Behavior Disorders 4
SPED 517	Transition Services and Programs for Individuals with Disabilities 4
Advisor Approved Electives (9 hours)
3. Certification Pathway (for students holding certification in any other area than Exceptional Education LBD or MSD) 15 hours
SPED 517	Transition Services and Programs for Individuals with Disabilities 4
SPED 518	Seminar: Contemporary Challenges in Special Education
SPED 531	Advanced Prescriptive Teaching 4
SPED 532	Families, Professionals and Exceptionalities 4
SPED 533	Seminar: Curriculum for Learning and Behavior Disorders 4
Total Hours		30

2* Teacher candidates who enter the program without having completed an introductory exceptional education course must complete SPED 516 which will add an additional 3 hours to the required total program hours.

3* Students must submit a passing score on the Praxis II prior to enrollment in SPED 595 and should take SPED 595 as their final course in their program. Students currently teaching may use their current teaching position to meet this requirement if they are teaching in the subject area and grade level for which they are seeking certification. Students not currently teaching in a setting serving students with Learning and Behavior Disorders must complete an internship experience that consists of field experience hours in an approved setting serving students with disabilities consistent with the subject area and grade level for which they are seeking certification.