Master of Education in Special Education
Admission to the ME in Special Education
In addition to admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies, admission to the master's program requires the following:
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A baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year institution
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A well-written statement of purpose describing your background and goals as well as the importance of this degree in achieving those goals
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One letter of recommendation regarding your potential for doing master's level work from professionals such as an undergraduate major advisor, current employer, school principal or others who are knowledgeable about your ability to engage in graduate work in this degree program
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An overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate work is preferred
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A content area grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale for coursework for the selected licensure area is preferred
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Undergraduate content area and literacy-related coursework for the selected licensure area
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Literacy courses CI 3400, CI 3430, and CI 3460 are required prior to beginning the master's program
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The master's program has selective admissions and may admit a limited number of students. Thus, meeting all formal criteria does not guarantee admission.
What to Submit with Your Application
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education
- Statement of purpose
- Resume
- One letter of recommendation
Requirements for the ME in Special Education
For the Master of Education degree, students must complete the following program requirements:
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A minimum of 36 semester credit hours of approved graduate course work
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An area of specialization in teacher education that includes practicum and internship experiences in PK-12 schools
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Supporting coursework with courses pre-approved by the faculty advisor
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A master's culminating experience
For the Ohio licensure, students must complete additional requirements to fulfill the credential requirements as well as the degree requirements.
No more than six semester hours of credit from any combination of workshops (5950), problems or special topics courses (5980 or 6980), and independent studies (5990 or 6990) may be included in the degree program.
All coursework and requirements of the master's degree must be taken within a six-year period immediately preceding the date the degree is awarded.
Master's Coursework
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization in Teacher Education | ||
| SPED 5000 | Issues In Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 5150 | Advanced Practicum For Teaching Students With Moderate Educational Needs | 1 |
| SPED 5160 | Advanced Instructional Methods For Teaching Students With Moderate Educational Needs | 3 |
| SPED 5260 | Family And Professional Relations In Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 5340 | Effective Management of Students with Special Needs in Educational Settings | 3 |
| SPED 5380 | Transition Process from High School to Post-Secondary Settings for Students w Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 6330 | Internship/Student Teaching for Intervention Specialist | 4 |
| CI 5470 | Literacy Assessment and Remediation | 3 |
| CI 6190 | Ambitious Teaching in PK-12 Classrooms | 3 |
| CI 6300 | Seminar in Student Teaching | 1 |
| Select ONE of the following sets: | 4, 7 | |
Mild/Moderate | ||
| Advanced Instructional Methods For Teaching Students With Mild Educational Needs | ||
| Practicum II - Mild Needs | ||
Moderate/Intensive | ||
| Advanced Instructional Methods For Teaching Students With Intensive Educational Needs | ||
| Practicum II - Intensive Needs | ||
| Augmentative and Alternative Communication | ||
| Supporting Coursework | ||
| EDP 5340 | Classroom Engagement and Behavioral Supports | 3 |
| Master's Culminating Experience | ||
| Select the following: | 3 | |
| Master's Culminating Seminar In Teacher Education | ||
| Total Hours | 37-40 | |
Additional Requirements
Students should consult with their faculty advisor for detailed information.
Prior to Beginning Classroom Experiences
- Current Ohio preservice teacher permit or other permit as specified by The State of Ohio are required prior to beginning classroom experiences.
- All undergraduate content area and literacy-related courses
Prior to Applying for Ohio Teaching License
- Acceptable scores on all Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) tests and edTPA Portfolio Assessment as specified tests specified by The State of Ohio for the licensure area are required prior to applying for Ohio teaching license.
GUIDE FOR DEVELOPING A PLAN OF STUDY
Below is a guide for developing a Plan of Study for the Master of Education. Students should review their degree audit and work with their faculty advisor to identify specific courses to fulfill program requirements.
| First Term | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Select the following: | ||
| EDP 5340 | Classroom Engagement and Behavioral Supports | 3 |
| SPED 5150 | Advanced Practicum For Teaching Students With Moderate Educational Needs | 1 |
| SPED 5160 | Advanced Instructional Methods For Teaching Students With Moderate Educational Needs | 3 |
| SPED 5260 | Family And Professional Relations In Special Education | 3 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Second Term | ||
| Select the following: | ||
| SPED 5340 | Effective Management of Students with Special Needs in Educational Settings | 3 |
| CI 5470 | Literacy Assessment and Remediation | 3 |
| Select ONE of the following sets: | 4 | |
| Mild/Moderate | ||
| Advanced Instructional Methods For Teaching Students With Mild Educational Needs | ||
| Practicum II - Mild Needs | ||
| Moderate/Intensive | ||
| Advanced Instructional Methods For Teaching Students With Intensive Educational Needs | ||
| Practicum II - Intensive Needs | ||
| Hours | 10 | |
| Third Term | ||
| Select the following: | ||
| SPED 5000 | Issues In Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 5380 | Transition Process from High School to Post-Secondary Settings for Students w Disabilities | 3 |
| CI 6900 Master's Culminating Seminar in Teacher Education | 1 | |
Moderate/Intensive Only | ||
| SPED 5210 | Augmentative and Alternative Communication | 0,3 |
| Hours | 7-10 | |
| Fourth Term | ||
| Select the following: | ||
| SPED 6330 | Internship/Student Teaching for Intervention Specialist | 4 |
| CI 6300 | Seminar in Student Teaching | 1 |
| CI 6190 | Ambitious Teaching in PK-12 Classrooms | 3 |
| CI 6900 | Master's Culminating Seminar In Teacher Education | 2 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Total Hours | 37-40 | |
- PLO 1: Learner Development Learning: Differences Apply knowledge of exceptionalities and diverse developmental needs to design individualized and inclusive instruction that supports equitable access to learning.
- PLO 2: Learning Environments: Create safe, supportive, and culturally responsive learning environments that promote collaboration, engagement, and self-motivation among learners with disabilities across P–12 settings.
- PLO 3: Content Knowledge Application: Demonstrate deep understanding of central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of special education and general curriculum, and apply this knowledge to design equitable and meaningful learning experiences.
- PLO 4: Instructional Practice: Plan and implement instruction using multiple strategies and technologies to support rigorous learning goals, adapt curriculum for diverse needs, differentiate instruction, and foster critical thinking and creativity.
- PLO 5: Assessment Data-Informed Practice: Use formative and summative assessments to monitor learner progress, guide instructional decisions, and engage learners in individualized goal setting and progress monitoring.
- PLO 6: Professional Responsibility Ethics: Engage in ongoing professional learning, reflect on practice, act ethically, and collaborate with families, colleagues, and related service providers to support learner growth.
- PLO 7: Research: Meaningfully interpret ideas and research from the professional literature to construct and present an argument in response to a question in subject matter education.