Special Education (MEd)

To be eligible for the MEd in Special Education, a candidate must have a valid teaching license and have completed at least one year of successful classroom teaching in the United States.

The program of study leading to the master's degree requires a minimum of 45 credits of graduate work. The program of study includes required core courses, associated field studies, electives, and a terminal project.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners and develop emotional well-being, positive social interactions, and self-determination. (CEC Initial Prep. Standard 1), as measured by passing grades (P) in all practicum and/or student teaching experiences.
• Practice within ethical and legal guidelines; advocate for improved outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities and their families while considering their social, cultural, and linguistic diversity (CEC Initial Prep. Sub-Standards 1.1 and 1.2), as measured by a grade of B- or better in SPED 428/528 SPED Law.
• Create and contribute to safe, respectful, and productive learning environments for individuals with exceptionalities through the use of effective routines and procedures and use a range of preventive and responsive practices to support social, emotional and educational well-being (CEC Initial Prep. Sub-standard 6.1), as measured by a grade of B- or better in SPED 426/526 Behavior and Classroom Management.
• Consider individual abilities, interests, learning environments, and cultural and linguistic factors in the selection, development, and adaptation of learning experiences for individuals with exceptionalities (CEC Sub-standard 5.1), as measured by grades of B- or better in all instructional methods courses.

Special Education Major

Minimum Requirements:

• 45 credits as an officially admitted master's degree student
• 15 credit hours of previous graduate-level work may be transferred into your program pending instructor and advisor approval
• 9 credit hours of 600 level courses
• 30 graduate credit hours in special education (SPED) courses
• 24 graded credit hours in UO courses

Please see program website for additional information.