Offered by Department of Teacher Education

Special Education
Master of Arts in Education Degree
Gifted, Advanced Practitioner, Mild/Moderate Emphases

This program is offered online only.

MAE in Special Education = 36 hours

1. Department Core Courses (12 hours required)
   • Research Course (3 hours)
     • TE 800, Educational Research - 3 hours
   • Democracy (3 hours)
     • TE 803, Philosophy of Education - 3 hours
   • Diversity (3 hours)
     • TE 804, Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education - 3 hours
   • Technology (3 hours)
     • Take 1 course from:
       • TE 805P, Overview of Assistive Technology - 3 hours
       • TE 886P, Technology Tools for Teachers - 3 hours
2. Emphasis Areas
   • Choose from one of the following:
     1. Gifted (24 hours)
        • Prerequisite
          • Introduction to Exceptionalities or equivalent completed at the undergraduate or graduate level.
        • Gifted - NON-THESIS (24 hours)
          • Take the following:
            • CSP 800, Advanced Educational Psychology - 3 hours
            • TESE 816C, Practicum in Gifted/Talented Education - 3 hours
            • TESE 822P, The Psychology and Education of Gifted and Talented Learners - 3 hours
            • TESE 823P, Guiding the Social and Emotional Development of Gifted/Talented Learners - 3 hours
            • TESE 824, Identification, Assessment, and Evaluation for Gifted/Talented Education - 3 hours
            • TESE 825, Curriculum Design and Development for Gifted/Talented Education - 3 hours
            • TESE 826, Program Design for Gifted/Talented Education - 3 hours
            • Electives - 3 hours
        • OR
        • Gifted - THESIS (24 hours)
          • Take the following:
            • TE 896, Thesis - 6 hours
            • Students always have the option of completing a thesis. Students will register for TE 896 for six hours based on the recommendation of their advisor. These six hours will be in lieu of the elective and CSP 800.
            • TESE 816C, Practicum in Gifted/Talented Education - 3 hours
            • TESE 822P, The Psychology and Education of Gifted and Talented Learners - 3 hours
            • TESE 823P, Guiding the Social and Emotional Development of Gifted/Talented Learners - 3 hours
            • TESE 824, Identification, Assessment, and Evaluation for Gifted/Talented Education - 3 hours
            • TESE 825, Curriculum Design and Development for Gifted/Talented Education - 3 hours
            • TESE 826, Program Design for Gifted/Talented Education - 3 hours
     2. Advanced Practitioner (24 hours)
        • This program is for students who possess a teaching certificate with an endorsement in Special Education.
          1. Special Education Core (18 hours required)
             • Take the following:
               • TESE 834, Characteristics and Identification of Behavior and Learning Disabilities - 3 hours
               • TESE 835, Applications of Assistive Technology Across Environments - 3 hours (Prereq: TE 805P)
               • TESE 840, Bilingual Special Education - 3 hours
               • TESE 863, Research Based Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities - 3 hours
               • TESE 867, Applied and Functional Behavior Analysis - 3 hours
             • Take 3 hours from:
               • TESE 816D, Practicum in Special Education - 3 hours
               • (Practicum will concentrate in the area of emphasis chosen for electives.)
          2. Electives (6 hours required)
             • Students must complete six hours of electives from any of courses listed below. Additional endorsement is available in mild/moderate 7-12. Additional courses may be required for endorsement. Students seeking endorsement need to speak to an advisor.
               • Take 6 hours from:
                 • CDIS 840P, Augmentative/Alternative Communication - 3 hours
                 • CSP 905, Behavioral Problem Solving Assessment - 3 hours
                 • PSY 865P, Psychopharmacology - 3 hours
                 • TE 846, Diagnosis/Correction of Reading Difficulties - 3 hours
                 • TE 848, Assessment and Remediation in Elementary School Mathematics - 3 hours
                 • TE 853C, Improvement of Instruction in Elementary School Language Arts - 3 hours
                 • TE 882, Teacher Development Training in Instructional Technology - 3 hours
                 • TE 898, Independent Study - 1-3 hours
                 • (Research-based course in area of endorsement.)
                 • TESE 875P, Curriculum Content for Secondary Students with Disabilities - 3 hours
                 • TESE 876P, Transitional Issues for Individuals with Disabilities - 3 hours
                 • TESE 879P, Developing Social and Personal Skills in Individuals with Disabilities - 3 hours
     3. Mild/Moderate Disabilities (24 hours)
        • Take the following:
          • TESE 830, Consultation and Collaboration with Families and Agencies Serving Individuals with Disabilities - 3 hours
          • TESE 837P, Medical Aspects of Individuals with Disabilities - 3 hours
          • TESE 861, Legal Issues in Special Education - 3 hours
          • TESE 862, Formal and Informal Assessment in Special Education - 3 hours
          • TESE 863, Research Based Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities - 3 hours
          • TESE 867, Applied and Functional Behavior Analysis - 3 hours
          • TESE 879P, Developing Social and Personal Skills in Individuals with Disabilities - 3 hours
        • Take 3 hours from:
          • TESE 816D, Practicum in Special Education - 3 hours
          • (Practicum will concentrate in the area of emphasis chosen for electives.)
        • The Mild/Moderate Disabilities option does not result in initial teacher certification. The process of gaining Mild/Moderate Certification also involves meeting additional requirements; working closely with an academic advisor is critical.

See Teacher Education Program Information and Admission Requirements for more information about the program.