MILD TO MODERATE DISABILITIES:
TEACHER LICENSURE/ENDORSEMENT
WITH A MASTER OF EDUCATION
OR MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE
The licensure/endorsement program in Mild/Moderate (M/M) Disabilities with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) or Master of Science (M.S.) degree provides concentrated professional training for teaching K-12 students with M/M disabilities. The joint licensure/endorsement and degree program requires courses and practicum experiences including: 1) a teacher education core, 2) a specialization strand in M/M disabilities culminating in licensure or endorsement, 3) a qualifying examination for the degree, 4) advanced graduate and allied courses for the degree, and (5) a final comprehensive examination or thesis to complete the degree requirements.
COURSES REQUIRED FOR LICENSURE OR ENDORSEMENT
I. Teacher education core........................................................ 19 Semester Hours
II. Specialization in Mild/Moderate Disabilities....................... 31 Semester Hours
Subtotal ........................................... 50 Semester hours
The student who already holds a teaching license may be recommended to the Utah State Office of Education for a special education endorsement to the license, following successful completion of the Teacher Education Core and the Specialization courses.
A student without a teaching license must complete an additional 12 hours of Educational Foundations courses for a total of 62 semester hours before being recommended for a teaching license.
ADDITIONAL GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE M.Ed.
III. Qualifying examination (administered by the Department)
IV. Advanced Graduate Courses................................................... 9 Semester Hours
V. Allied hours outside the Department of Special Education..... 6 Semester Hours
VI. Final written comprehensive examination
VII. Additional Miscellaneous Requirements
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS FOR THE M.Ed WITH LICENSURE OR
ENDORSEMENT IN MILD TO MODERATE DISABILITIES..... 65 Semester Hours (not including educational foundations courses)
ADDITIONAL GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE M.S.
III. Qualifying examination (administered by the supervisory committee)
IV. Advanced graduate courses...................................................... 12 Semester Hours
V. Allied hours outside of the Department of Special Education... 6 Semester Hours
VI. Thesis...........................................................................................6 Semester Hours
VII. Additional Miscellaneous Requirements
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS HOURS FOR THE M.S. WITH LICENSURE OR ENDORSEMENT IN MILD TO MODERATE DISABILITIES........74 Semester Hours (not including educational foundations courses)
EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS COURSES FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE MILD/MODERATE LICENSURE PROGRAM
12 hours
The following courses are required for those students who do NOT hold a Utah teaching license in Elementary, Secondary, or Special Education. Nonmatriculated students (i.e., those not yet admitted to a degree program) may take the first three of these course options prior to admission. A maximum of 9 nonmatriculated credit hours can count toward the degree.
1) Teaching & Learning (T & L) 6713 or T & L 6711
T & L 6713: Advanced Early Literacy (3 cr. hrs). Focuses on exemplary research and practices that promote independence in reading and writing. Topics include: phonological awareness, effective and strategic decoding methods, comprehension, word study and spelling development, writing and continuous assessment, all within a balanced literacy program. Focus on Areal world@ classroom applications. Counts toward reading endorsement. This course is the preferred option for students who are not getting a reading endorsement from the Dept of Teaching and Learning .
-To be completed prior to field experiences.
OR
T & L 6711: Foundations of Reading (3). Reviews the psychological foundations of reading as a cognitive process. Topics may include phonemic awareness, word recognition, comprehension, learning from text, reading comprehension assessment. Focus on theory and policy. (Ed Psych 6711 is cross- listed). This is the first course in the T & L reading endorsement program. This course may be substituted for T & L 6713, if necessary.
-To be completed prior to field experiences.
2) Ed Psych 6050: Life Span Development--Childhood & Adolescence (3). Theories and research pertaining to human development and learning from birth through adolescence. Emphasizes application of theory and research to education. To be completed prior to field experiences.
3) ECS 6632, 6633, or 6634. To be completed prior to field experiences.
-ECS 6633: Curriculum and Instruction in Multilingual Education (3). Examines curriculum, pedagogical, and methodological issues in school settings with linguistically diverse students. A critical understanding of theory and practice of program and curriculum planning, teacher preparation, instruction, and classroom models and strategies will be emphasized. This course is the preferred course for special education students interested in instructional strategies.
OR
-ECS 6634: Bilingual/Bicultural Education (3). A critical examination of bilingual/bicultural education and language issues in schools and communities, including legislation, court action, research in language learning, and different program types, i.e., ESL, transitional, bilingual/bicultural maintenance. This course is not offered every year.
OR
-ECS 6632: Issues and Research in Multicultural Education (3). An advanced course in the history, concepts, and theoretical base for multicultural education as a field. Focus is on issues and research in the teaching and learning of cultural and linguistic minority students. This research course may be substituted for either of the above two, if necessary.
T & L 5140 or 5141: Educational Applications of Technology (3). Introduction to the use of technology in educational settings. Instructional uses of technology will be explored and tied to current theories of learning to help educators make decisions about how to effectively integrate the use of technology across content areas. Students will learn to use a variety of technological applications to support teaching and learning.
This course is best taken after a semester of special education course work. and is to be completed prior to field experiences.
-T & L 5140 focuses on grade 1-8 classrooms.
-T & L 5141 focuses on grade 6-12 classrooms.
M.Ed. and M.S. WITH LICENSURE/ENDORSEMENT IN MILD TO MODERATE DISABILITIES
I. TEACHER EDUCATION CORE (19 HOURS)
Only 5010 and 6011 from the teacher education core can be taken prior to admission to the program, but we advise taking Foundations courses instead. Taking 5010 and 6011 prior to admission will not speed completion of the program because of the required sequence of courses and semesters in which they are offered.
Special Education 5010: Human Exceptionality (3). (F, S, U) Understanding people with learning, behavior, sensory, and physical differences. Emphasis on examining the effects of culture and societal values on the inclusion of people with disabilities in home, school, and community settings.
Special Education 6011: Inclusive Classrooms (3). (F, S, U) Introduces special and general education candidates to teaching strategies for meeting the needs of students with disabilities in general education settings.
Special Education 6021: Principles of Learning and Assessment (3). (F, S, U) Theoretical and applied foundations of learning and effective assessment for students with disabilities.
Special Education 6022: Principles of Instruction and Behavioral Support (3). (S,U) Theoretical and applied foundations of instruction and behavioral support strategies for students with disabilities.
Prerequisites: SpEd 6021 and 6053
Special Education 6030: Functional Communication and Language Development (3). (F, S, U) Theoretical and applied foundations of communication and language development and intervention for students with disabilities. Procedures for the infusion of augmentative and alternative communication systems into home, school, and community settings are highlighted.
Special Education 6040: Legal and Policy Foundations of Special Education (3). (S, U)
Introduction to federal, state, and local government roles in special education law. Emphasis on the effects of legislation, regulations, and court cases on service delivery and public policy. Recommended Prerequisites: SpEd 5010, 6011, and SpEd 6053
Special Education 6053: Professional Skills Modules (1). (F, S) Three independent modules introduce teacher candidates to APA writing style, library electronic searches, and professional standards/practices in the field. This course should be taken during the first semester after admission.
II. SPECIALIZATION IN MILD TO MODERATE DISABILITIES (31 hrs)
Be aware that specialization courses are each taught only once a year, and the 3-semester sequence begins in the spring. SpEd 5010, 6011, 6021, 6030, and 6053 are to be completed prior to 6121 and 6131. If necessary, SpEd 6022 and SpEd 6040 may be taken concurrently with (or, in special circumstances, subsequent to) 6121 and 6131, but all core courses are prerequisite to the final two semesters of course work and concurrent field experiences.
Special Education 6121: Assessment of Students with M/M Disabilities (3). (S) Administration and interpretation of formal and informal assessment procedures for planning and implementing instructional interventions for students with mild to moderate disabilities.
Special Education 6131: Assessment Lab (1). (S) Application of specific assessment methods and materials with students in various settings. Taken concurrently with SpEd 6121.
***
Special Education 6110: Behavioral Support Strategies (3). (F) Functional assessment, behavior support strategies, and social skills programs for students with mild to moderate disabilities for use in classroom, school, and community settings.
Special Education 6122: Reading Instruction for Students with M/M Disabilities (3). (F) Planning and implementing reading interventions for students with mild to moderate disabilities.
Special Education 6960-025: Writing Instruction for Students with M/M Disabilities (2). (F) Planning and implementing writing interventions for students with mild to moderate disabilities.
Special Education 6960-026: Math Instruction for Students with M/M Disabilities (2). (F) Planning and implementing math interventions for students with mild to moderate disabilities.
Special Education 6132: Field Experience & Seminar (5). (F) Application of behavioral and instructional methods & materials in supervised public school settings (15 hours/week). The placement is selected/approved by the clinical faculty and program coordinator. Taken concurrently with SpEd 6110, 6122, 6960-025, and 6960-026. A seminar is attached to the field experience.
***
Special Education 6150: Service Delivery Models (2). (S) (course meets 7 times during the semester). Development of knowledge and understanding of components, management, and evaluation of various service delivery models for students with mild to moderate disabilities. Taken concurrently with student teaching.
Special Education 6200: Student Teaching & Seminar (10). (S) Application of specific behavioral, assessment, and instructional methods in full-time (30+ hours/week), supervised public school field experiences. Placement is selected/approved by the clinical faculty and the program coordinator. A seminar is attached to the student teaching requirement.
Miscellaneous Requirements for Licensure Students
Background Check for Initial Licensure and Practicum Experiences
By legislative mandate, students in field-based placements, and applicants for a teaching license/endorsement in Utah are required to have successfully completed a federal background check, including fingerprinting. For further information, contact the secretary in the Special Education Office, MBH 221. Students in our program must initiate their background checks during the first semester in the program because it can sometimes take 3-6 months to process, and we cannot place students in practicum settings without completion of the background check.
Teacher licensure by the state of Utah may be denied because of a previous criminal conviction. The Utah Professional Practices Advisory Committee, Utah State Office of Education, 250 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 reviews all such cases. You may wish to contact the Associate Dean for Professional Education in the College of Education before proceeding with your teacher education program if you have questions about your status.
Maximum Credit Hours Per Semester
Under University rules, graduate students are NOT allowed to enroll for more than 16 credit hours per semester, and 12 hours constitute an average full-time load.
ADDITIONAL GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE M.ED.
III. QUALIFYING EXAMINATION
The qualifying examination for M.Ed. students is offered each semester on a set date and consists of a uniform question designed by the Department for all M.Ed. students. The exam is best taken after or near completion of the teacher education core courses.
IV. ADVANCED GRADUATE COURSES (9 hours for M.Ed. students)
Special Education 6610 (3): Introduction to Research Methods (F, U). Overview of the fundamentals of research methods and design in education and social science. The course involves: the presentation of basic information about the purposes of research; the scientific method; quantitative, qualitative, and single-case methods; and implementation of investigations.
M.Ed. Students must select TWO of the following four options (with supervisory committee approval in advance):
(1) Special Education 6960- ___ (3): Disability and Diversity (section no. to be determined) (F >04)
(2) Special Education 6960- ___ (3):Systems for Schoolwide Behavioral Support (S) (section no. to be determined)
(3) Special Education 6631 (3): Assessment & Instructional Interventions for Reading Difficulties (F, S)
A collaboration course (either Special Education 6620 (3): Parent/Professional Collaboration (S, U) or Special Education 6630 (3): Collaborative Educational Problem Solving (U)
See your graduate adviser for information about the content of the above courses.
V. ALLIED HOURS (6 HOURS) (5000-level courses or above)
M.Ed. students must take a minimum of 6 hours outside of the Department of Special Education. The courses need PRIOR approval by the student=s supervisory committee. These courses should be selected to focus on an area of interest relevant to the student=s professional and academic development.
VI. FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION (M.Ed students)
Consult your supervisory committee for details about the structure of the exam and options and timing for its completion. You must be registered for 3 credit hours during the semester in which you undertake your comprehensive examination. Usually, faculty are unavailable during the summer, so plan ahead with your committee.
VII. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE M.Ed. DEGREE
Selection of Supervisory Committee Members
Candidates for the M.Ed. degree must establish a three-member supervisory committee who will advise the student in completing the requirements of his or her degree program. At least two members of the committee must be on the faculty in the Department of Special Education. If desired, candidates may select a member from another department or college at the University of Utah. The candidate must select as chair of his or her supervisory committee a TENURE-TRACK (not clinical) faculty member from the Department of Special Education. All committee members must hold a master's or doctoral degree.
Students usually select their committee by the end of the first year in our program, but the timing depends on a student=s individual schedule and degree program. The committee guides the selection of advanced graduate courses and allied course work.
Continuous Enrollment
Candidates must be continuously enrolled for a minimum of 3 credit hours during Fall and Spring semesters (but not summers) until completion of the degree program. Otherwise, a leave of absence must be requested and approved. Failure to obtain a Leave of Absence results in the need to seek readmission to the program.
ADDITIONAL GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS FOR M.S. STUDENTS
QUALIFYING EXAM
The qualifying examination is designed by the supervisory committee for each M.S. student and is tailored to the student=s interests. It must be passed before proceeding to thesis work.
IV. ADVANCED GRADUATE COURSES (12 hours for M.S. students)
Special Education 6610 (3): Introduction to Research Methods (F, U). Overview of the fundamentals of research methods and design in education and social science. The course involves: the presentation of basic information about the purposes of research; the scientific method; quantitative, qualitative, and single-case methods; and implementation of investigations.
M.S. students must select ONE of the following research methods courses
Special Education 7010 (3): Group Design and Research Analysis (S).
Special Education 7020 (3): Single Subject Research Design (S)
A qualitative research course: (e.g., Educational Psychology 7420)
AND
TWO of the following courses
Special Education 6960-___ (3): Disability and Diversity (F >04) (section no. to be determined)
Special Education 6960- ___ (3): Systems of Schoolwide Behavioral Support (S) (section no. to be determined)
Special Education 6631 (3): Assessment & Instructional Interventions for Reading
Difficulties
See your graduate adviser for information about the content of the above courses.
V. ALLIED HOURS (6 HOURS) (5000-level courses or above)
M.S. students must take a minimum of 6 hours outside of the Department of Special Education. The courses need PRIOR approval by the student=s supervisory committee. These courses should be selected to focus on an area of interest relevant to the student=s professional and academic development.
VI. THESIS (6) hours)
Consult your supervisory committee for details about the thesis requirements.
VII. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE M.S. DEGREE
Selection of Supervisory Committee Members
Candidates for the M.S. degree must establish a three-member supervisory committee, who will advise the student in completing the requirements of his or her degree program. At least two members of the committee must be on the faculty in the Department of Special Education. If desired, candidates may select a member from another department or college at the University of Utah. The candidate must select as chair of his or her supervisory committee a TENURE-TRACK (not clinical) faculty member from the Department of Special Education. All committee members must hold a master's or doctoral degree.
Students usually select their committee by the end of the first year in our program, but the timing depends on a student=s individual schedule and degree program. The committee designs the qualifying examination and guides the selection of advanced graduate courses and allied course work.
Continuous Enrollment
Candidates must be continuously enrolled for a minimum of 3 credit hours during Fall and Spring (but not summer) semesters until completion of the degree program. Otherwise, a leave of absence must be requested and approved. Failure to obtain a Leave of Absence results in the need to seek readmission to the program.
Recommended Course Sequence for Admitted Graduate StudentsWho Begin Their Program Fall Semester
Three foundation (Fds.) courses (see p. 2) can be taken prior to admission and will allow for licensure/endorsement without enrollment during summer terms. The licensure/endorsement can be completed in 2 years; the Master=s degree usually takes another year.
| FALL | SPRING | SUMMER | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1ST YEAR | SpEd 5010 (3) | SpEd 6040 (3) | 3 Fds. Courses (9) -SpEd 6022, 6030, or 6040 can be taken here if Fds. courses must be substituted for 1 or 2 of them during fall & spring. (All these courses must be completed prior to the 2nd year.) (Pass qual. exam for M.Ed. by now) |
| SpEd 6011 (3) | SpEd 6022 (3) | ||
| SpEd 6021 (3) | SpEd 6121 (3) | ||
| SpEd 6030 (3) | SpEd 6131 (1) | ||
| SpEd 6053 (1) | Fds. Course (3) | ||
| Total =13 credit hours | Total =13 credit hours | ||
| 2ND YEAR | SpEd 6110 (3) | SpEd 6200 (10) (full-time student teaching) | Form supervisory committee (& pass qual. exam for M.S.) before summer enrollment in Advanced Graduate Courses or Allied Hours (6-9) |
| SpEd 6122 (3) | SpEd 6150 (2) | ||
| SpEd 6960-025 (2) | Total = 12 cr. hours (These courses are taken concurrently.) End of licensure sequence! |
||
| SpEd 6960-026 (2) | |||
| SpEd 6132 (5) (half-time practicum) | |||
| Total = 15 cr. hours (These courses are taken concurrently.) | |||
| 3RD YEAR | Allied or Advanced Courses (3) | Allied or Advanced Courses (3) | Allied or Advanced Courses (3) |
| (M.S. Thesis hours) (3) | (M.S. Thesis hours) (3) | Completion of M.Ed. or M.S. |
Recommended Course Sequence for Admitted Graduate StudentsWho Begin Their Program Spring Semester
Three foundation (Fds.) courses (see p. 2) can be taken prior to admission and will speed completion of the M.Ed. Both the licensure/endorsement and M.Ed can be completed within 3 years. The M.S. usually takes an additional semester.