2022-2023 Catalog

Apr 20, 2024

2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Special Education, MA

Students may earn a Master of Arts degree in Special Education after completing a minimum of 33 specified credit hours as outlined in their graduate plan. In the final course (CURR 5090 - Master’s Research Project) students complete an applied research project. Students must complete additional coursework as outlined on their graduate plan to be eligible for licensure.

Learning Outcomes

Develop new special education knowledge and translate special education and related research into practice.
Promote and model excellence in special education practice.
Use assessment data to plan instruction, monitor student progress, and determine the effectiveness of instruction.
Work collaboratively with general educators and communicate in an effective, professional manner with parents, staff, administrators, students, and related service personnel.

Faculty

Christi Kasa, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Scott Kupferman, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Katie McCabe, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Kathy Randolph, Ed.D., BCBA-D, Program Coordinator, Assistant Professor

Application and Admission Process

Visit our website for requirements.

Course Requirements

The Master of Arts in Special Education requires 33 credits to be completed at the graduate level. Students must complete 18 credits of core classes and 15 credits of elective coursework. This is an MA only and does not result in a recommendation for a teaching license.

Required Foundation Courses - 18 Credit Hours

The Master’s of Arts in Special Education requires 33 credits to be completed at the graduate level. Students must complete 18 credits of core classes and 15 credits of elective course work. This is an MA only and does not result in a recommendation for a teaching license.

Note: CURR 5090 should be one of the final courses taken to complete the MA in Special Education.
LEAD 5700 should be taken early on in the student’s program.

Elective Courses - 15 Credit Hours

Choose 15 credits from the following*:

*Students can propose additional courses that can count as electives. If you want to take a class that is not on the list, please speak with an advisor directly.

Graduate Initial License in Special Education With or Without MA

In this program, students will complete the requirements to be recommended for the initial license as Special Education Generalist.

Students in the Special Education Initial Licensure Program are provided the experiences and academic support to learn how to meet the needs of all students with disabilities in the general and special education classroom. Students will be taught to focus on student strengths in order to support academic and social progress in inclusive environments. Coursework and practicum placements will be linked by assignments. These carefully planned assignments will allow students to practice their skills and develop techniques and materials that will lead to their successful development as teachers.

The initial licensure is a cohort model program that begins each fall. The program requires students to take each class in the semester as indicated on the initial licensure program planning form. Students must commit to completing these courses in sequence.

Students have the option of taking one course in the summer (SPED 5001) as unclassified students before they start the program.

The initial licensure program requires a significant amount of time spent working in the field. Applicants who anticipate problems in completing the 800 clock hour field experience courses of the program (one day a week practicum in the summer semester, and student teaching) should speak with a faculty member immediately in order to discuss their individual situation.

Applications and Admissions Requirements

Please visit our website for admissions information.

Course Requirements

First Year Courses - 24 Credit Hours

Fall - 9 Credit Hours

Spring - 9 Credit Hours

Summer - 6 Credit Hours

SPED 5025 Fieldwork in Inclusive Classrooms (4-6 weeks - 1/2 day in the field)
SPED 5010 Multisensory Structured Language Education

Note: SPED 5001 Introduction to Special Education can be taken in the summer prior to beginning the program. Students would take this as an unclassified student.

Second Year Courses - 18 Credit Hours

Fall - 9 Credit Hours

SPED 5004 Self-Determination and Transition (online)
TED 5640 Elementary Mathematics Methods
SPED 5030 Elementary/Secondary Internship (one day per week in the field)

Spring - 9 Credit Hours

Additional Courses for Master’s Degree - 9 credit hours

Total Hours for Initial Licensure: 42

Students wishing to receive a Master’s degree will need to take three additional courses listed below. These courses can be taken at the same time as licensure courses or after the completion of the license. Courses must be taken in the order listed below. LEAD 5700 and SPED 5091 may be taken concurrently. LEAD 5700 must be taken before CURR 5090.

Special Education Generalist Added Endorsement with or without MA

In this program, students will complete the requirements to be recommended for the added endorsement as Special Education Generalist. The added endorsement is available to students who hold a valid Colorado teaching license in another discipline.

Students in the Special Education Added Endorsement program are provided the experiences and academic support to learn how to meet the needs of all students with disabilities in the general education classroom. Students will be taught to focus on student strengths in order to support academic and social progress in inclusive environments. Coursework and practicum placements will be linked by assignments. These carefully planned assignments will allow students to practice their skills and develop techniques and materials that will lead to their successful development as teachers.

The Added Endorsement program is a cohort model program that begins each fall. The program requires students to take each class in the semester as indicated on the Added Endorsement program planning form. Students must commit to completing these courses in sequence.

Students have the option of taking SPED 5001 in the summer as unclassified students before they start the program.

The Added Endorsement program requires students to participate in one field experience. Students can choose to complete this experience in the spring or summer semesters.

Applications and Admissions Requirements

Please visit our website for admissions information.

Graduate Added Endorsement Planning Form

First Year Courses - 21 Credit Hours

Fall - 6 Credit Hours

Spring - 9 Credit Hours

Summer - 6 Credit Hours

SPED 5025 Fieldwork in Inclusive Classrooms

SPED 5010 Multisensory Structured Language Education

SPED 5001 Introduction to Special Education can be taken in the summer prior to beginning the program. Students would take this as an unclassified student.

Added endorsement students may choose either SPED 5030 Elementary/Secondary Internship or SPED 5025 Fieldwork in Inclusive Classrooms

Added endorsement students who are working as classroom teachers and are supporting students with disabilities in inclusive environments may have the option of performing SPED 5030 in their own classroom.

Second Year Courses - 6 Credit Hours

Fall - 6 Credit Hours

SPED 5004 Self-Determination and Transition (online)

SPED 5030 Elementary/Secondary Internship (one day per week in the field)