MASTER OF EDUCATION (M.Ed.)
IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
WITH TEACHING LICENSE IN SEVERE DISABILITIES
Teacher License Requirements
I. Teacher Education Core..............................26 credit hours
II. Specialization in Severe Disabilities................32 credit hours
Students may be recommended for licensure to the Utah State Office of Education following completion of the Teacher License Requirements.
Masters of Education
Graduate Study Requirements
I. Advanced Graduate Core...............................9 credit hours
II. Establish Supervisory Committee
III. Qualifying Examination
IV. Comprehensive Examination
V. Master Degree Residency Requirement
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS FOR THE MASTERS OF EDUCATION WITH A LICENSE IN SEVERE DISABILITIES..................67 credit hours
Teacher Education Core*
(26 credit hours)
SPED 6011 Teaching Early Childhood and Elementary Students in Inclusive Classrooms OR SPED 6012 Teaching Secondary Students in Inclusive Classrooms (3 credit hours)
SPED 6021 Principles of Assessment and Data Based Decision Making (3 credit hours)
SPED 6022 Principles of Instruction and Behavior Support (3 credit hours)
SPED 6030 Functional Communication (3 credit hours)
SPED 6040 Legal and Policy Issues (3 credit hours)
TL 6315 Reading Methods K-3 (3 credit hours) and
TL 5316 Reading Methods K-3 Field Experience (1 credit hour). Taken concurrently with TL 6315
OR
TL 5320 Reading Methods 4-6 (3 credit hours) and
TL 5321 Reading Methods 4-6 Field Experience (1 credit hour). Taken concurrently with TL 5320
ED PS or TL 5005 Writing Methods (3 credit hours)
EDPS 6441 Integrating Technology into Reading and Writing (1 credit hour). Taken concurrently with TL 6315, 5320 or ED PS 5005.
SPED 6710 Culture and School Success (3 credit hours), ECS 6633 Curriculum and Instruction in Multilingual Education (3 credit hours), OR Ling 6000: Graduate Survey of Linguistics for Educators (3)
Specialization in Severe Disabilities
(32 credit hours)
SPED 6210 Service Delivery Models (2 credit hours)
SPED 6221 Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Severe Disabilities I (3 credit hours)
SPED 6222 Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Severe Disabilities II (3 credit hours)
SPED 6230 Behavior Support Planning (3 credit hours)
SPED 6240 Managing Learning Environments (1 credit hour)
SPED 6260 Transdisciplinary Approaches (3 credit hours)
SPED 6240 Field Experience (7 credit hours). Taken concurrently with SPED 6221 and 6230.
SPED 6300 Student Teaching (10 credit hours). Taken concurrently with SPED 6222 and 6260.
* Students who hold a valid Utah teaching license in Special Education may not need to complete the following courses. Please check with your faculty advisor.
Advanced Graduate Core
(9 credit hours)
SPED 6610 Introduction to Research Methods (3 credit hours)
SPED 6969 Special Education Technology (3 credit hours), SPED 6612 Electronic Communication Aids (3 credit hours, OR SPED 6613 AAC Instructional Strategies (3 credit hours)
Choose one:
SPED 6620 Parent/Professional Collaboration (3 credit hours)
SPED 6631 Assessment and Instructional Interventions in Reading Difficulties (3 credit hours)
SPED 6960 Schoolwide Discipline and Positive Behavioral Support (3 credit hours)
Other Study Requirements**
Establish a Supervisory Committee
Students must establish a three member supervisory committee which will advise them in completing all study requirements. At least two members of the committee must be on the faculty in the Department of Special Education. In addition, the student 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 elect to appoint a 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 (M.A./M.S./M.Ed.) or doctoral (Ph.D./Ed.D.) degree.
**Consult the Department of Special Education Graduate Student Handbook for the requirements for completing these study requirements.
Qualifying Examination
In order to advance to candidacy for the M.Ed. degree, students are required to pass a qualifying exam that will serve as a performance assessment of their conceptual and writing abilities. Students must pass the exam before they enroll in courses in the advanced graduate core (with the exception of 6610 - Introduction to Research Methods).
Comprehensive Examination
Students must complete a comprehensive examination to be awarded the Masters of Education (MEd) degree. The comprehensive exam is comprised of a single question developed by the supervisory committee and is designed to assess the breadth of the student's knowledge of the research base in his or her specialization area, the ability to synthesize and integrate the knowledge and skills developed in the specialization and advanced graduate core classes, and the ability to communicate ideas in written and oral form. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of three credit hours during the semester they complete the comprehensive examination.
Master Degree Residency Requirement
At least 24 credit hours must be in resident study at the University of Utah. Students are expected to complete their masters program within four years from the time they are matriculated. 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.
Rev: 8/6/08