Special Education, MS, MEd
Master’s degrees in Special Education are designed to improve educator competencies. Participants include school personnel and others involved in education-related activities across a variety of community, work, and clinical settings.
Both degrees provide several areas of supporting coursework, including early childhood, reading, ESL, mild/moderate disabilities, severe disabilities, dual sensory impairments, and administrative/supervisory licensure.
Availability
This program is available at the Uintah Basin Campus via the following Instruction Type(s):
Courses are delivered via state of the art video conferencing technology. Students meet at a designated time and location.
Admissions
Students must be admitted to the USU School of Graduate Studies. For current enrollment criteria and an online application, visit www.usu.edu/graduateschool/apply.
Application deadlines are March 15 for summer semester, June 15 for fall semester, and October 15 for spring semester.
General admissions requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Official transcripts for all university/college coursework
- GRE exam scores (40th percentile minimum)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Letter of intent (for instructions, visit sped.usu.edu/masters/admission.html)
Requirements
Both the MEd and MS degrees require 36 credits. Core requirements (see reverse side) are parallel for both degrees and both require an approved supporting area of 9-12 credits. Support courses may be taken inside or outside the department.
The MEd option is designed for career teachers seeking to improve teaching skills and strengthen their professional knowledge. The MEd requires a creative project (6 credits), which typically focuses on action research, instructional improvement, or practical curriculum development. Creative projects include literature reviews and data-based evaluations of student improvement or curriculum efficacy.
The MS option, with its strong research focus, is designed for teachers considering a future specialist or doctoral degree. The MS requires a thesis (6-9 credits) with a scholarly review of literature as well as experimental research that contributes knowledge to the field of special education.
The Education Leadership emphasis enables teachers to pursue administrative or supervisory roles in school systems. To complete this emphasis, students must be admitted to the Administrative/Supervisory Certificate program. Contact Michelle Wilson at michelle.wilson@usu.edu or call (435) 797-1473 for information.
Contact Us
For specific questions regarding this program including admissions, courses, and requirements contact:
The Distance Master’s of Education and Master’s of Science degree programs in special education are designed for persons who desire a graduate program that will improve their competencies as educators. Participants include school personnel and individuals who are involved in education-related activities across a variety of community, work, and clinical settings.
There are three program options:
- Master of Science (MS)
- Master of Education (MEd)
- MS or MEd with Educational Leadership Emphasis
The Special Education Master’s program is delivered through Interactive Video Conferencing technologies to sites in Brigham City, Logan, Ogden, Orem, and Roosevelt.
Courses:
Department Core Requirements
- SPED 6020: Design & Evaluation of Effective Instruction
- SPED 6300: Collaboration Skills for Classroom Teachers
- SPED 6700: Single-Subject Research Methods & Designs
- SPED 6060: Historical & Legal Foundations of Special Education
- SPED 6720: Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis
Research Core
- EDUC 6550: Research for Classroom Teachers
Plan A (MS) Additional Requirements
- SPED 6970: Thesis
Students must also complete 9-12 elective credits.
Plan B (MEd) Additional Requirements
- SPED 6960: Creative Project
Students must also complete 12 elective credits.
Leadership Emphasis Additional Requirements
Students may also complete coursework for the Administrative/Supervisory Certificate program. See Administrative/Supervisory brochure for required courses.
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