Master of Education in Special Education
Major: SPEDegree Awarded: MED
Unit: GE
Program Webpage: http://louisville.edu/education/degrees/med-spe.html
Program Information
This master's degree can be taken to gain expertise in a variety of areas. These include but are not limited to:
- Assistive Technology and Autism - Contacts: Dr. Debra Bauder or Dr. Thomas Simmons
- Orientation & Mobility - Contact: Dr. Bill Penrod
- Visual Impairment - Contact: Dr. Bill Penrod or Mary Ann Reynolds
The goal of the program is to offer a Master's degree that will advance one’s knowledge and further their expertise in a specialty area.
Curriculum
Non-Teaching
This degree is designed for master's degree candidates whose professional goals are in areas other than teaching or whose goals are in the area of early childhood/special education, specifically comprehensive-care centers, institutions, clinics, day care centers, preschools, and community programs.
Prerequisites for Admission: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and admission to Graduate School and EDSP 540: Introduction to Special Education.
Degree Requirements: A minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate coursework; at least 18 hours of courses numbered 600 or above; and a culminating course, either EDSP 639 or EDSP 687, to be taken at the end of the program and requiring a major paper.
ELFH 600 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics 3
Introductory Courses Select three courses from the following:
EDSP 537 Language Learning for Exceptional Children 3
EDSP 594 Teaching Student with Physical Disabilities 3
EDSP 624 Seminar in Psychological & Social Implications of Handicaps3
EDSP 634 Introduction to Mental Retardation 3
EDSP 640 Introduction to Learning Disabilities 3
EDSP 674 Theories of Behavior Disorders 3
EDSP 697 Applied Behavior Analysis 3
EDSP 670 Introduction to Autism 3
Mid point assessment: Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, Needs Improvement
Advanced/Related Courses: Courses will be selected, with advisor’s approval, to provide the necessary background to meet the candidate’s professional goals
Advanced courses 9
Related Electives 9
Exit Requirement:
EDSP 639 Research Analysis in Special Education 3
Minimum total hours 33
Master of Education in Special Education in Orientation and Mobility Non-Teaching (leading to ACVREP certification)
Admission Requirements:This degree is designed for master's degree candidates whose professional goals are in areas other than teaching and whose goal is to be certified in orientation and mobility.
Prerequisites for Admission: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and admission to Graduate School and EDSP 540: Introduction to Special Education and EDSP 619: Orientation and Mobility/daily Living Skills for Teachers and a computer (at least 300 MHZ with 64 RAM, sound card, and speakers, at least 56.6 modem or higher capacity) and be able to send/receive email and access to Internet, with printer. Instructor may require access to additional equipment for some courses.
Degree Requirements: A minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate coursework. Maintain a 3.0 or above grade point average. Students must make at least a B in the following courses: EDSP 624, EDSP 625. Participants whose academic performance falls below the grade point average will be asked to develop a plan for improvement. Failure to meet the objectives of this plan will result in dismissal from the program.
Orientation and Mobility Entry Courses (To be completed the first 9 hours of EDSP coursework)
EDSP 624 Characteristics and Needs of Students Who are Visually Impaired or Blind 3
EDSP 625 American Braille Codes 3
The following courses may be taken in any sequence/combination upon completion of the “ Orientation and Mobility entry courses.”
EDSP 634 Characteristics and Needs of Students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities 3
EDSP 620 Introduction to Orientation and Mobility 3
EDSP 623 Orientation and Mobility for Infants, Preschool, and Multiply Impaired 3
Mid Point Evaluation
EDSP 621 Advanced Methods in Orientation and Mobility I 3
EDSP 622 Advanced Methods in Orientation and Mobility II 3
Orientation and Mobility Exit Courses (completed sequentially as the last six hours of the program)
EDSP 630 Practicum: Observation and Participation in O&M 3
EDSP 631 Internship 3
MASTERS IN EDUCATION IN ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY REQUIREMENTS (6 hours)
ELFH 600 Introduction to Graduate Studies 3
EDSP 639 Research in Special Education 3
Minimum total hours 33
Exit Requirements: Completion of EDSP 630: Practicum in O&M and EDSP 631: Internship and Pass Comprehensive Specialty Exam
Concentration in Learning Disabilities
Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, certification in elementary education, and certification in learning disabilities.
ELFH 600 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics 3
ELFH (Historical, sociological, or philosophical foundations of education to be selected from EDFD620,625,630,640,681) 3
Learning Disabilities Specialization
EDSP 693 Consulting with Parents and Teachers of Exceptional Children 3
EDSP 697 Topical Seminar in Special Education 3
Special Education Core
EDSP 641 Curriculum Methods: Special Education 3
EDSP To be selected with advisor 6
Related Electives (may be taken outside Education) 9
Exit Requirement
EDSP 639 Research Analysis in Special Education 3
Minimum total hours 33
Notes
- Minimum of 18 hours in 600-level courses is required.
- Maximum of 2 workshops allowed in total program.
- Final acceptance of transfer credit (a maximum of six hours) is dependent upon receipt of transcript.
- Program must be approved by advisor and filed at the beginning of the program.
- A maximum of six hours taken in non-degree status can be applied toward a master's degree (upon approval of advisor).
- All courses must be completed within6 years of admission of program.
- This program is considered tentative unless signed by both the advisor and student.
- A portfolio is required for successful completion of this program.
- To complete the program, students must have minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. No credit shall be accepted for carrying a grade lower than "C".
- To complete the program, students must have minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. No credit shall be accepted for carrying a grade lower than "C".
Master of Education in Special Education and/or Rank II/Rank I Program Leading to Certification in Learning and Behavior Disorders
Candidates for this program mush have a valid regular education teaching certificate. The courses listed below may, with advisor’s approval, be applied toward a Rank II or Rank I program. Teachers certified only in Music, Physical Education or Home Economics (at any level) or regular classroom teaching at the 5-8 or 7-12 level(s) must complete the EDTP 610 and EDTP 620 (pending review by the LBD Screening committee) with grades of C or better in each prior to enrolling in the Special Education Entry Courses.
EDAP 610 Literacy: Research and theory 3
EDAP 620 Introduction to Teaching Elementary Mathematics Education 3
Special Education Entry Courses: (To be completed as the first nine hours of EDSP course work)
EDSP 540 Introduction to Exceptional Children 3
EDSP 640 Introduction to Learning Disorders 3
EDSP 675 Management of the Behavior Problem Child 3
The following six courses may be taken in any sequence/combination upon completion of the “Special Education entry Courses”:
EDSP 537 Language Learning for Exceptional Children 3
EDSP 594 Problems and Methods of Teaching the Physically Handicapped/Sensory Impaired 3
OR
EDSP 638 Educational Management: Physical Disabilities 3
EDSP 618 Instructional Technology for Students with Special Needs 3
EDSP 681 Early Childhood Education of Exceptional Children 3
EDSP 614 Transition Services 3
Mid-point Assessment: Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, Needs Improvement
Special Education Exit Courses (Completed sequentially as the last nine hours of the program)
EDSP 642 Assessment Procedures for LBD 3
EDSP 643 Instructional Procedures for LBD 3
EDSP 645 Student teaching: Learning and Behavioral Disorders (If waived, another three hour course approved by advisor) 3
Minimum total hours 33-39
Master of Education in Learning and Behavior Disorders Requirements
(The M.Ed. includes all courses listed in the Rank II program above and the following requirements of6 additional hours.)
ELFH 600 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics 3
EDSP 639 Research in Special Education 3
Minimum total hours 39-42
NOTE:
- Students who make a grade of C or below in any Special Education course leading to teacher certification are required to repeat the course before being admitted to Student Teaching (EDSP 645).
- Successful completion of the following PRAXIS Exams are required for Learning and Behavior Disorders teacher certification: The Application of Core Principles Across Categories of Disability (either 352 or 353 and Teaching Students with Emotional/Behavior Disorder (either 371 or 542).
- Successful completion of midpoint evaluation of program and performance.
- A portfolio is required for completion of this program.
- The Certification Program requires development of a Professional Portfolio and a Midpoint Performance Review, both of which must be successfully completed before the participant will be recommended for certification by the Kentucky Department of Education.
Concentration in Moderate & Severe Disabilities
Admission Requirements:
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college.
- Certification in elementary education.
- Certification in moderate and severe disorders.
- EDSP 540 or introduction/survey course in Special Education.
- Computer (at least 300MHZ with64SDRAM, sound card and speakers, CD-ROM, at least 56.6 modem or higher capability) able to send/receive email and access to internet, with printer. *Instructor may require additional equipment for some courses.
EDFD 600 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics 3
EDFD (Historical, sociological, or philosophical foundations of education to be selected from EDFD620,625,630,640,681) 3
Moderate & Severe Disabilities Specialization
EDSP 6XX Orientation and Mobility for Teachers 3
EDSP 600 Assessment of Students with Disabilities 3
EDSP 624 Char. & Needs of Blind & Visually Impaired Students 3
EDSP 627 Applications of Assistive Technology 3
EDSP 634 Char. & Needs of Students w/ Moderate and Severe Disability 3
EDSP 637 Transdisciplinary Collaboration for Inclusion 3
EDSP 636 Diag. & Prescriptive Teaching of Individuals with Dis. 3
EDSP 670 Introduction to Autism 3
EDSP 638 Ed. Manage. of Health, Physical, and Multiple Disabilities 3
Exit Requirement
EDSP 635 Moderate and Severe Disabilities Practicum 3
Minimum total hours 36
Notes
- Minimum of 18 hours in600-level courses is required.
- Maximum of two workshops allowed in total program.
- Final acceptance of transfer credit (a maximum of six hours) is dependent upon receipt of transcript.
- Program must be approved by advisor and filed at the beginning of the program.
- A maximum of six hours taken in non-degree status can be applied toward a master's degree (upon approval of advisor).
- All courses must be completed within six years of admission of program.
- This program is considered tentative unless signed by both the advisor and student.
- A portfolio is required for successful completion of this program.
Master of Education in Special Education or Rank I/II Leading to P-12 Certification in Moderate/Severe Disabilities
- Certification in P-5, 5-9, or 8-12.
- BA/BS degree from an accredited university/College of Education and Human Development.
Admission to Graduate School for Certification or Master of Education program.
- Introduction or Survey Course in special Education.
- Computer (at least 300MHZ with64SDRAM, sound card and speakers, CD-ROM, at least 56.6 modem or higher capability) able to send and receive email and access to Internet, with printer. *Instructor may require access to additional equipment for some courses.
EDSP 627 Applications of Assistive Technology 3
EDSP 634 Characteristics and Needs of Students w/Moderate & Severe Disabilities 3
EDSP 636 Diagnostic an Prescriptive Teaching of Individuals with Disabilities 3
EDSP 614 Transition Programs and services for youth with Disabilities 3
EDSP 619 Orientation and Mobility for Teachers 3
EDSP 670 Introduction to Autism 3
Mid-point Assessment: Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, Needs Improvement
EDSP 637 Transdisciplinary Collaboration for Inclusion 3
EDSP 638 Educational Management of Health, Physical, and Multiple Disabilities 3
EDSP 646 Augmentative Communication 3
EDSP 635 Moderate and Severe Disabilities Practicum 3**
**NOTE: This class can be waived with three successful years of teaching in the field of Moderate/Severe Disabilities and a STRONG letter of recommendation from your Principal. If this is done, then the replacement course would be EDSP644: Applied Behavior Analysis 3
For Masters:
ELFH 600 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics 3
EDSP 639 Research in Special Education 3
Minimum total hours 36
Requirements
- Develop professional portfolio.
- Maintain a 3.0 (B) or above grade point average with no grade lower than a B.
- Successful completion of PRAXIS Exam.
- Successful mid-point, certificate and/or degree assessment
- Successful completion of the following PRAXIS Exams are required: The Application of Core Principles Across Categories of Disability and Teaching Students with Mental Retardation
NOTE:
- Students who earn a grade of C or below in any Special Education course leading to teacher certification are required to repeat the course before being admitted to Student Teaching (EDSP635).
- Successful completion of the following PRAXIS Exams is required for Moderate Severe teacher certification: The Application of Core Principles Across Categories of Disability and Teaching Students with Mental retardation.
- Successful completion of midpoint evaluation of program and performance.
- A portfolio is required for completion of this program.
- The Certification Program requires development of a Professional Portfolio and a Midpoint Performance Review, both of which must be successfully completed before the participant will be recommended for certification by the Kentucky Department of Education
- This program is considered tentative unless signed by both the advisor and student.
Master of Education in Special Education with Concentration in Vision Impairment
Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, admission to Graduate School, and certification in elementary education.
Prerequisites in Special Education (nine (9) hours)
(Courses required as preparation for graduate work but not counted in 31-hour minimum total for master's degree)
EDSP 505 Introduction to Blindness and Visual Impairment 3
EDSP 509 Standard English and Nemeth Braille Codes 3
EDSP 540 Introduction to Exceptional Children 3
Graduate Core Requirements (6 hours)
EDFD 600 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics 3
EDFD Historical, sociological, or philosophical foundations of education to be selected from one of the following:
EDFD620, 625,630,640,681 3
Visual Impairment Specialization (15 hours)
EDSP 510 Educational Procedures for Blind Children 3
EDSP 512 Orientation, Mobility, and Daily Living Skills for the Visually Impaired 3
EDSP 525 Educational Procedures for Low Vision Children 3
EDSP 594 Problems and Methods of Teaching Physically Handicapped and Sensory Impaired 3
EDSP 628 Seminar: Assessment of the Visually Impaired Students 3
Related Electives (six (6) hours)
The student will select courses numbered 600 or above with advisor's approval (may be outside Education) 6
Exit Requirement (4 hours)
EDSP 629 Practicum n Visual Impairment 4
Minimum total hours 31
NOTES:
1. Students who make a grade below "C" in any Special Education course leading to teacher certification are required to repeat the course and earn a minimum grade of "C" prior to being admitted into student teaching.
2. This degree requires an exit evaluation. The exit evaluation may consist of a research paper or project in EDSP639 at the end of the program.
3. Successful completion of the PRAXIS Exam is required for teacher certification. The Application of Core Principles Across Categories of Disability and Teaching Students with Behavioral Disorders/Emotional Disturbances must be taken.
Departmental Faculty
Peter Alter
Debra Bauder
Monica Delano
Nicole Fenty
Lisa Kemmerer
Amy Lingo
Bill Penrod
Terry Scott
Thomas Simmons