COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education program requires between 30 and 36 credit hours and is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in research, policy, and professional practice, along with specialized knowledge in a chosen concentration. The core curriculum includes key courses such as Contemporary Issues in Special Education, Legal and Policy Foundations of Special Education, and Research Applications in Special Education, which together build an understanding of current challenges, legal frameworks, and evidence-based practices in the field. In addition, students complete a multidisciplinary elective, choosing from a range of options such as ethics in professional practice, statistics, program evaluation, consultation, or introductory courses in deaf studies and early childhood services. This flexibility allows students to broaden their knowledge across related disciplines.A significant portion of the program focuses on concentration coursework, requiring 18 to 24 credit hours in a specific area of specialization. Students can choose from concentrations such as Deaf Education, Early Childhood Intervention Specialist, General Special Education, Mild/Moderate Educational Needs, Moderate/Intensive Educational Needs, and Pre-Kindergarten Special Needs. Most concentrations require a course in Single Subject Research Methods along with 15 credit hours of advisor-approved electives tailored to the specialization. The Deaf Education concentration instead requires a statistics course and approved electives, while the Pre-Kindergarten Special Needs concentration includes a more structured set of courses focusing on early childhood development, assessment, family collaboration, curriculum and intervention, and an advanced practicum experience.Overall, the program combines core coursework, interdisciplinary learning, and specialized concentration training to prepare students for advanced roles in special education. It emphasizes research-based practice, individualized support strategies, and collaboration with families and professionals, ensuring graduates are equipped to address the diverse needs of learners across different educational settings.