Master of Education in Special Education
The Master of Education in Special Education degree allow students to choose a focus in special education in the areas of early intervention, preschool special needs, high incidence conditions (e.g. learning disability, mental retardation, emotional disturbance), severe disabilities (e.g. physical, cognitive and social-emotional), transition, and behavior disorders. The ME in Special Education has an online option and a licensure option.
The ME in Special Education is a 36 semester hour program. Students take courses in special education along with education courses selected with a faculty adviser based on the student's interest. The program culminates with a master's seminar, a research-based project, or a thesis depending on the student's interest. Coursework is completed through a combination of on-campus, online and field-based courses.
For those who do not need to earn a teaching license, the ME in Special Education may be completed completely online.
For those who hold a bachelor's degree in a major other than education and wish to earn an Ohio teaching license, this program includes coursework that will lead toward an initial teacher license as an intervention specialist for grades PreK to 12 in mild/moderate or moderate/intensive in Ohio and, at the same time, meet the requirements for a Masters Degree in Education. Coursework is completed through a combination of on-campus, online and field-based courses. Additional semester hours of coursework are required for licensure.
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 the student’s background and goals as well as the importance of the degree in achieving those goals
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Three letters of recommendation regarding the prospective student's 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 the applicant’s ability to engage in graduate work in the desired program
Additionally, for prospective students interested in the Licensure and Master's Program (LAMP):
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An overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate work
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Mastery of reading, writing, and mathematics skills as demonstrated on one of these nationally normed assessments: ACT, SAT, GRE, or Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. Students must present test scores at or above the 50th percentile from one of these assessments. Acceptable scores for these assessments are listed below (current score scale for Fall 2020 admissions):
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ACT – Mathematics: 21; Reading: 21; Writing: 6
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SAT – Mathematics: 532; Evidence-based Reading and Writing: 543; Essay Writing*: 5.0
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GRE – Quantitative Reasoning: 153; Verbal Reasoning: 151; Analytical Writing*: 4.0
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PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators – Mathematics (test code 5732): 156; Reading (test code 5712): 156; Writing (test code 5722)*: 162
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*Writing scores are required for each option beginning 2021
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
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Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education
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Statement of purpose
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Three letters of recommendation
In addition for LAMP applicants:
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Scores for one the following: ACT, SAT, GRE, or PRAXIS CORE
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 hours of approved graduate course work
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The master's core requirement by completing one course in each of the four foundational areas in education (curriculum, research, psychological, and social and philosophical) within the first 18 semester hours of course work, i.e. four of the first six courses must be core courses
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An area of specialization in special education with courses pre-approved by the faculty advisor
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A course in master's seminar in special education
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A thesis, project, comprehensive examination or field experience (practicum)
For the Ohio licensure, students must complete:
- Additional semester hours to fulfill the credential requirements as well as the degree requirements
In addition, 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.
PLAN OF STUDY
A plan of study identifying the courses for the master's degree is required after 12 credit hours, generally at the end of the first semester of full time study. The master's plan of study must include the following within the 36 semester hour minimum:
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12 credits of master's core courses
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18 credits of specialization
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3 credits of master's seminar
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3 credits of thesis, project, or comprehensive examination
Licensure or endorsement requires additional semester hours to fulfill the credential requirements as well as degree requirements. Students should consult their advisor for detailed information.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
PRIOR TO BEGINNING CLASSROOM EXPERIENCES
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Criminal background check
PRIOR TO APPLYING FOR OHIO TEACHING LICENSE
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Acceptable scores on the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Pedagogy Assessment for the licensure area
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Acceptable scores on the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Foundations of Reading Assessment for the licensure area
Guide for Developing a Plan of Study
Below is a guide for developing a Plan of Study for the Master of Education in Special Education. Students should work with their faculty advisor to identify specific courses to fulfill program requirements.
Additional hours are required to fulfill licensure requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Master's College Core | ||
| Curriculum Foundations | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Foundations Of Curriculum & Instruction | ||
| Curriculum Development: K-12 | ||
| Curriculum Trends And Issues | ||
| Curriculum For Educational Leaders | ||
| Instructional Systems Design Principles | ||
| Issues In Special Education (Recommended) | ||
| Advanced Instructional Methods For Teaching Students With Moderate Educational Needs (Recommended) | ||
| Advanced Instructional Methods For Teaching Students With Intensive Educational Needs (Recommended) | ||
| Career And Vocational Education For Students With Disabilities (Recommended) | ||
| Curriculum Models And Intervention Strategies In Early Childhood Special Education (Recommended) | ||
For students with an undergraduate degree in special education | ||
| Theory And Research: Autism (Recommended) | ||
| Infant/Toddler Curriculum (Recommended) | ||
| Pre-K/Primary Curriculum (Recommended) | ||
| Research Foundations | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Quantitative Methods I | ||
| Educational Testing And Grading (Recommended) | ||
| Applied Assessment for Improved Practice | ||
| Understanding and Consuming Research | ||
| Qualitative Research I: Introduction And Basic Methods | ||
| Psychological Foundation of Education | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Educational Psychology (Recommended) | ||
| Child Behavior And Development | ||
| Adolescent Behavior And Development | ||
| Issues And Innovations In Learning And Instruction | ||
| Theories Of Learning | ||
| Social and Philosophical Foundations | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Sociology of Education | ||
| Social Justice in American Society | ||
| Philosophy of Education (Recommended) | ||
| History of Education | ||
| Anthropology of Education | ||
| Foundations of Peace Education | ||
| Specialization in Special Education | ||
| Select 18 credits as approved by faculty advisor | 18 | |
| Master's Seminar | 3 | |
| Seminars In Special Education | ||
| Master's Thesis, Project, or Comprehensive Exam | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Comprehensive Exam (SPED 6930 exam) | ||
| Master's Research Project In Special Education | ||
| Master Research Thesis In Special Education | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |