May 5, 2004
Department of Special Education
MASTER OF SCIENCE
(WITHOUT Teacher Licensure)
COURSE WORK
I. Research Design and Methods.........................................................9 Semester Hours
Special Education 6610 (3) Introduction to Research Methods (3)
Special Education 7010 (3) Group Design & Research Analysis (3)(Prerequisite-SPED 6610)
Students must select one of the following courses:
Special Education 7020 (3) - Single Subject Research Design
A qualitative research course (3) (e.g., Education Psychology 7420)
Educational Psychology 7460 (3) - Program Evaluation
Educational Psychology 6010 (3) - Introduction to Statistics and Research Design
Educational Leadership and Policy 6050 (3) - Program Evaluation
II. Elective Graduate Courses............................................................9 Semester Hours[1]
Students with the approval of their graduate advisor may select courses from the list below to complete the elective graduate course requirement.
- SPED 6960, School-Wide Discipline and Positive Behavioral Support (2 credit hours)
- SPED 6631, Assessment and Instructional Interventions for Reading Difficulties (3 credit hours)
Assistive Technology Courses (up to 9 credit hours, available summers only)
SPED 6611, Augmentative and Alternative Communication Recommended Practices (3 credit hours)
SPED 6612, Electronic Communication Aids (3 credit hours)
SPED 6613, Augmentative and Alternative Communication Instructional Strategies (3 credit hours)
- SPED 6630, Collaborative Educational Problem-Solving (3 credit hours, available summers only)
- SPED 6620, Parent/Professional Collaboration (3 credit hours)
- Teacher Education Courses
•Teacher Education Core
•Early Childhood Special Education
•Mild to Moderate Disabilities
•Severe Disabilities
•Hearing Impairments
•Vision Impairments
III. Allied Area Courses................................................................................6 Semester Hours
Students must take a minimum of 6 semester hours outside of the Department of Special Education. Students must obtain approval from their graduate advisor prior to registering for these courses. These courses should focus on an area of interest relevant to the student's professional and academic development.
V. Thesis Hours...........................................................................................6 Semester Hours
Students in the M.S. program are required to enroll for thesis hours and complete a research thesis as approved by their graduate supervisory committee.
Total Credit Hours.......................................................................................Minimum 30 Semester Hours
Graduate Supervisory Committee
Each student must establish a three-member supervisory committee to assist in completing study requirements and evaluate the final thesis and oral defense. Students are encouraged to form their supervisory committee after completing 9 semester hours of graduate work.
At least two members of the supervisory committee must be on the faculty in the Department of Special Education. In addition, students must select a faculty member from the Department of Special Education with a tenure-track rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor to serve as chair of their supervisory committee. If desired, students may select a committee member from another department or college at the University of Utah. Generally, a faculty member from outside of the Department of Special Education should have knowledge and expertise in the student's allied area of study. All committee members must hold a Master's or Doctoral degree.
Qualifying Exam for Admission to Candidacy
Students admitted to the M.S. Degree Program (without licensure) are urged to form their supervisory committee and take the qualifying exam following 9 semester hours of graduate study with a minimum of one course in the area of research design and methodology as approved by their graduate advisor.
The qualifying exam is developed and evaluated by the members of the student=s graduate supervisory committee. Students must be enrolled for a minimum of 3 credit hours in the semester the exam is administered. Students should contact their graduate advisor for more information on the M.S. qualifying exam. Upon successful completion of the qualifying exam, each student is admitted to candidacy in the University of Utah Graduate School and allowed to complete the remainder of his/her course work and register for thesis hours.
Residency Requirement
Each student must spend a minimum of one year (i.e, two consecutive semesters) in full-time study (at least 9 credit hours per semester) at the University of Utah. Students are expected to complete their masters program within four years from the time they are matriculated. In general, completion of the M.S. Program will require a minimum of one year of full-time study. Previous graduate work may be applied to the requirements of the program if (a) approved by the student's supervisory committee, and (b) consistent with University Graduate School Policy.
Continuous Enrollment
Candidates must be continuously enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours during Fall and Spring semesters until completion of the degree program. Enrollment during Summer semester is not required.
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[1]Students admitted to the program who do not have background in the field of special education may have to take up to a maximum of six additional credit hours as determined by their graduate advisor.