Offered by Department of Teacher Education

Special Education
Master of Arts in Education Degree
Gifted, Advanced Practitioner, Special Education 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 (recommended)
       • 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 (6 hours required)
             • Take the following:
               • TESE 816D, Practicum in Special Education - 3 hours
               • (Practicum will concentrate in the area of emphasis chosen for electives.)
               • TESE 880, Critical Issues in Special Education - 3 hours
          2. Emphasis (18 hours required)
             • Take one emphasis from:
               1. Behavioral Interventionist Emphasis (18 hours)
                  • This emphasis area results in a NDE supplemental endorsement.
                  • Take all of the following:
                    • TESE 867, Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Planning - 3 hours
                    • TESE 879P, Teaching Social Skills to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder - 3 hours
                    • TESE 881, Characteristics and Identification of Behavior and Learning Disabilities - 3 hours
                    • TESE 882, Applied Behavior Analysis - 3 hours
                    • TESE 883, Intervention Strategies for Individuals with Behavioral and Emotional Disabilities - 3 hours
                    • TESE 888, Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports- 3 hours
               2. Inclusive Collaboration Specialist Emphasis (18 hours)
                  • This emphasis area results in a NDE supplemental endorsement.
                  • Take all of the following:
                    • TESE 840, Bilingual Special Education - 3 hours
                    • TESE 863, Research Based Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities - 3 hours
                    • TESE 867, Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Planning - 3 hours
                    • TESE 881, Characteristics and Identification of Behavior and Learning Disabilities - 3 hours
                    • TESE 885, Inclusion and Differentiation Strategies for the 21st Century Classroom - 3 hours
                    • TESE 886, Co-Teaching and Collaborative Services - 3 hours
               3. Assistive Technology Specialist Emphasis (18 hours)
                  • Take all of the following:
                    • TESE 885, Inclusion and Differentiation Strategies for the 21st Century Classroom - 3 hours
                    • TESE 891, Assistive Technology Assessment - 3 hours (Prereq: TE 805P)
                    • TESE 892, Augmentative Alternative Communication - 3 hours (Prereq: TE 805P)
                    • TESE 893, Program Development in Assistive Technology - 3 hours
                    • TESE 894, Research in Assistive Technology - 3 hours
                    • TESE 895, Integration of Assistive Technology Across the Lifespan - 3 hours (Prereq: TE 805P)
               4. Functional Academic Skills and Independent Living Specialist Emphasis (18 hours)
                  • Take all of the following:
                    • TESE 887P, Teaching Functional Academics to Individuals with Exceptional Needs - 3 hours
                    • TESE 876P, Transitional Issues for Individuals with Disabilities - 3 hours
                    • TESE 879P, Teaching Social Skills to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder - 3 hours
                    • TESE 882, Applied Behavior Analysis - 3 hours
                    • TESE 885, Inclusion and Differentiation Strategies for the 21st Century Classroom - 3 hours
                    • TESE 892, Argumentative Alternative Communication - 3 hours (Prereq: TE 805P)
     3. Special Education (24 hours)
        • This option leads to certification in either K-6 or 7-12 special education. Check with advisor for exact program.
          • Prerequisites
            • TESE 330, Collaboration, Consultation, and Co-Teaching - 3 hours
              OR TESE 830, Consultation and Collaboration with Families and Agencies Serving Individuals with Disabilities - 3 hours
            • TESE 437, Medical Aspects of Individuals with Disabilities - 3 hours
              OR TESE 837P, Medical Aspects of Individuals with Disabilities - 3 hours
        • Take the following:
          • 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, Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Planning - 3 hours
          • TESE 879P, Teaching Social Skills to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder - 3 hours
        • Take one of the following options:
          • K-6 Emphasis
            • TESE 872, Strategies for Teaching Students with Intellectual Disabilities - 3 hours
            • TESE 873, Teaching Students with Multiple Disabilities - 3 hours
          • 7-12 Emphasis
            • TESE 875P, Preparing Adolescents for the Post-Secondary World - 3 hours
            • TESE 876P, Transitional Issues for 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.)
        • Students also wishing to pursue an additional endorsement or initial certification should consult with an advisor.

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