Special Education (M.A.)

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Program Overview

The master’s in special education is intended for individuals wanting to work with special needs students. Students may select from one of two specializations. The Advanced Specialist in Disabilities specialization prepares current special education teachers with advanced knowledge and skills to meet the unique needs of each and every learner. The Multicategorical K-12 SPED specialization is a nationally accredited program that prepares students for initial teacher licensure as a special education teacher. Whether you’re already a special education teacher or are seeking to become one, this program will prepare you with the skill set to make a difference in children’s lives.

NOTE: Students who are not currently certified special education teachers may only pursue the Multicategorical specialization. Those seeking initial teacher licensure will need to complete additional coursework and certification requirements, including the successful completion of a series of Praxis exams.

Students pursuing initial teacher certification must:

Pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Students may be fully admitted to the Special Education Multicategorical program, however, admission to Teacher Education is provisional until the content knowledge test is successfully passed.
Pass the Praxis subject-specific Content Knowledge test to be eligible to student teach.
Pass the Principles of Learning Test (PLT) for successful program completion and teacher licensure.
Students who are seeking teacher certification are encouraged to meet with an advisor in Teacher Education for clarification of requirements for initial teacher certification.

DELIVERY: On campus | Online

Master of Arts, Special Education (non-thesis): Total 30-34 credit hours

M.A. in Special Education - Advanced Specialist in Disabilities (ASD) Specialization (Non-Thesis): Total 32 credit hours

Major Area Coursework

ASD specialization core required course work:
SPED 702 - Diagnostic Teaching 3 cr
SPED 709 - Special Education Collaboration Or Consultation in the Schools 3 cr
SPED 519 - Medical Issues in Special Education 2 cr
EDAD 720 - Special Education Law for School Administrators 3 cr
Select one of the following courses for 3 credit hours:
SPED 794 - Internship (M.A.) (C) 1 to 8 cr
SPED 795 - Practicum in Special Education 1 to 6 cr
Specialized coursework:
SPED 711 - Educating Students With Cognitive Disabilities 3 cr
SPED 737 - Educating Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders 3 cr
SPED 741 - Educating Students With Emotional & Behavior Disorders 3 cr

Supporting Area Coursework

EDER 761 - Graduate Research & Design (C) 3 cr
Electives approved by advisor (Plan A students can take 4 hours of Thesis credits) 6 cr hours

Accelerated Master’s Program: B.A. or B.S./M.A.

Up to 12 credits applied toward the B.S. program may be used to satisfy graduate credit in the Special Education, M.A.-Advanced Specialist in Disabilities (ASD) specialization, M.A., (non-thesis) option. This accelerated option is available only to those currently enrolled in a USD B.A. or B.S. program.

The following restrictions apply:

Dual-listed courses taken at the 500-level can be applied to both the B.A. or B.S. and M.A. degrees. Dual-listed courses must be taken at the 500-level.
The student must apply to, and be admitted to, the acceleratedogram prior to taking courses to be credited toward the accelerated program.
No courses taken prior to admission to the accelerated program may be counted toward an accelerated graduate degree.
Courses that are “double counted” must be approved by the program coordinator for inclusion in the program of study prior to registration for the course or the credits will not be applied toward the accelerated graduate degree.
Only courses taken at the student’s home institution are eligible for accelerated program credit. No transferred courses from other institutions will be allowed to count toward the accelerated master’s degree.
Students admitted to the accelerated M.A. Program may be allowed to register for all courses included in his/her program of study and these credit hours may apply to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

M.A. in Special Education - Multicategorical SPED K-12 (MSEK-12) Specialization (Non-Thesis): Total 30-42 credit hours

Multicategorical Specialization Endorsement in Special Education & Initial Teacher Certification

Major Area Coursework

MSEK-12 specialization core required course work (14 credit hours):
SPED 517 - Vocational-Transitional Programming (C) 2-3 cr (2 cr hrs required)
SPED 703 - Education of Persons With Exceptional Needs 3 cr
SPED 715 - Behavior Management 2 to 3 cr (3 cr hrs required)
SPED 731 - Educating Students With Learning Disabilities 3 cr
SPED 780 - Assessment of Persons With Disabilities 3 cr
Select one disability curriculum and instruction course. (3 credit hours)
SPED 711 - Educating Students With Cognitive Disabilities 3 cr
SPED 737 - Educating Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders 3 cr
SPED 741 - Educating Students With Emotional & Behavior Disorders 3 cr
Courses for Initial Certification (0-19 credit hours) *
SPED 688 - Student Teaching 1-8 cr (6 cr hrs required)
SPED 795 - Practicum in Special Education 1 to 6 cr (1 cr hr required)
EDFN 575 - Human Relations (C) 3 cr
EPSY 735 - Child/Adolescent Learning and Development 3 cr
INED 511 - South Dakota Indian Studies (C) 3 cr
TET 715 - Sociological and Philosophical Foundations of Education 3 cr
* Courses in this section are only needed if you are seeking initial certification. Undergraduate courses can be taken for initial certification and the graduate courses would not be needed.

Supporting Area Coursework (6-13 credit hours)

EDER 761 - Graduate Research & Design (C) 3 cr
ELED 757 - Assessment and Interventions for Struggling and Dyslexic Readers 3 cr
SPED 794 - Internship (M.A.) (C) 1 to 8 cr (Not needed if completing initial certification route) 0-1 cr hr
Elective 0-6 crs (Not needed if completing initial certification route)

General Application Requirements

Completed application
$35 application fee
Official transcripts*
Letters of recommendation*
Statement of purpose
Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog

Distance Program Leading to Professional Licensure

Location Matters. This program is designed to meet the educational requirements for a professional license or certification and allows students to enroll in at least one course through distance education during the first semester. Pursuant to Federal Regulations, the program may only admit students who are located in states where the program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure or who attest in writing that they intend to seek licensure or employment in a state where the program meets those requirements. As part of your application to this program, you will be asked to provide additional information regarding your location to assist the program in determining your eligibility for admission.

If you have questions regarding licensure, we encourage you to contact a program representative prior to submitting your admission application, as the application fee is non-refundable. For more information, visit USD’s Licensure-Track Programs page for links to the USD program websites and state licensure board websites.

Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. If you have questions regarding supervised field study, please contact a program representative.

Distance education courses or programs will not be offered outside of the United States without prior written approval from the University, which may be withheld for any reason. If you are taking distance courses while physically located outsides of the United States, it is your responsibility to confirm the following: (a) if the country will recognize an online degree; (b) whether the program meets licensure or certification requirements in the country including the availability of supervised field study opportunities in the country; and (c) if the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs.

Questions?

Division of Teacher Residency and Education
605-658-6639 | tre @usd.edu | usd.edu/tre

Graduate Admissions
605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu | usd.edu/grad