Special Education (M.A.)

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Typically students seek the Master’s degree in special education while pursuing certification in one or more areas. A degree of flexibility provides additional opportunities for those not needing or wanting certification. Students wishing to pursue a Master of Arts degree in special education may select from the following specializations or options: emotional/behavior disorders, mental disabilities, learning disabilities, multi-categorical, gifted, and early childhood special education. Students should discuss these options with an advisor at the time of application to the program. Students who do not hold either elementary or secondary education certification will need additional coursework for K-12 Special Education certification in South Dakota. (Students with secondary teaching certification will need SPED 526 Advanced Methods and Materials for Secondary Students with Disabilities.)

Master of Arts, Special Education, Plan B (non–thesis): Total 32-44 credit hours

Special Education core 13-25 credit hours
Certification based on Sec. Ed. Teaching Cert. 0-2 credit hours
Specialized coursework 8-14 credit hours
Additional Supporting courses outside of area 5 credit hours

Note

- Plan A (thesis) also available. Four credit hours of thesis are required in lieu of an elective.

Special Education core: 25 credit hours

MA in Special Education – Early Childhood Special Education Specialization: Total 33 credit hours

Special Education core as related to Early Childhood Special Education: 13 credit hours

Specialized Coursework: 14 credit hours

SPED 519 - MEDICAL ISSUES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 2
SPED 770 - SURVEY: EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
SPED 771 - STRATEGIES, PLANNING & ASSESSMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL ED. 3
SPED 772 - ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT (BIRTH–5) 3
SPED 794 - INTERNSHIP (M.A.) 1 to 8
3 credit hours required.

Required Support Coursework: 6 credit hours

Approved Elective 3 credit hours

MA in Special Education – Advanced Specialist in Disabilities Specialization: Total 32 credit hours

Special Education core as related to Advanced Specialist in Disabilities: 14 credit hours

EDER 761 - RESEARCH METHODS IN EDUCATION 3
SPED 702 - DIAGNOSTIC TEACHING 3
SPED 709 - SPECIAL EDUCATION COLLABORATION OR CONSULTATION IN THE SCHOOLS 3
SPED 794 - INTERNSHIP (M.A.) 1 to 8
3 credit hours required.

Select one of the following (2 credit hours required):

Specialized Coursework: 13 credit hours

Elective course if needed for 24 credit hours in C&I courses.

SPED 720 - LEARNING STRATEGIES 3

Two of the following:

SPED 710 - SURVEY OF MENTAL DISABILITIES 2
SPED 730 - SURVEY: LEARNING DISABILITIES 2
SPED 735 - SURVEY: AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2-3 (2 cr required)
SPED 740 - SURVEY: EMOTIONAL/BEHAVIOR DISORDERS 2

Two of the following:

Required Support Coursework: 5 credit hours

Approved Elective 2 credit hours

EDAD 720 - SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS 3

MA in Special Education – Multicategorical SPED K–12 Specialization: Total 34 credit hours

(For students with initial teaching licensure in ELED or SEED)

Special Education core as related to Mulitcategorical SPED K-12: 19 credit hours

EDER 761 - RESEARCH METHODS IN EDUCATION 3
SPED 517 - VOCATIONAL-TRANSITIONAL PROGRAMMING 2 to 3
2 credit hours required.
SPED 703 - EDUCATION OF PERSONS WITH EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS 3
SPED 705 - ADVANCED FAMILY/PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION 2
SPED 715 - BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT 2 to 3
3 credit hours required.
SPED 780 - ASSESSMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 3
SPED 794 - INTERNSHIP (M.A.) 1 to 8
3 credit hours required.

Specialized Coursework: 10 hours

SPED 708 - LOW INCIDENCE DISABILITIES 2
SPED 731 - EDUCATING STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES 3
SPED 795 - PRACTICUM IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 1 to 6
1 credit hour required.

Two of the following:

Required Support Coursework: 5 credit hours

Approved Elective 2 credit hours

ELED 757 - ASSESSMENT, DIAGNOSIS, AND INTERVENTIONS FOR EFFECTIVE READING INSTRUCTION 3

Master of Special Education areas of Emphasis

Prerequisites

Students must have Child Growth and Development or Adolescent Growth and Development as a prerequisite at the undergraduate level or must take one of these courses at the graduate level as a support course.
A graduate level practicum (i.e., 1 to 3 credits) may be required early in their program, at the direction of the student’s program advisor, for students with limited experience working with individuals with disabilities or who have not completed an undergraduate student teaching in special education.
Students who are applying for endorsement in this area of special education must complete the PPST, PLT, and specific special education specialty exams.