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Special Education Minor and Master's
Minor and Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Program type:
Major
Minor
Format:
On Campus
Online
Est. time to complete:
5 years
Credit Hours:
51
Add to your education by learning more about working with children and young adults
with disabilities as you pursue a master’s in Special Education.
Because of its compatibility with other human service fields, special education provides
an appropriate minor for students majoring in such areas as rehabilitation, speech
and hearing science, behavior analysis, psychology, criminal justice, social work,
recreation, kinesiology, and human development and family science. A competitive Accelerated
Master's path is available through this minor, allowing undergraduate students to
potentially finish both their bachelor's degree and M.S. in Special Education in five
years.
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Request More InfoWhy Earn a Special Education Minor and Master's?
A minor in Special Education consists of 18 hours, and is suggested for students in other undergraduate degree programs interested in working with children and young adults with disabilities, including those in Human Development and Family Science, Kinesiology, Applied Behavior Analysis, Speech and Language Pathology/Audiology, or Disability and Addiction Rehabilitation.
Many of our faculty members are nationally known in their field. They remain current on practices through research experiences, high levels of academic preparation and the service projects they coordinate. They have expertise in programs and procedures; establishing partnerships to facilitate services for exceptional individuals; systems for behavioral management of special populations; and parent and professional communication and collaboration.
Marketable Skills
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data
- Advocate on behalf of underrepresented populations
- Collaborate to improve educational outcomes
- Oral and written communication
- Creative problem-solving
Special Education Minor and Master's Highlights
Master's courses are offered on a rotation schedule via two 8-week terms during the
fall and spring semesters and 3-week, 5-week and 10-week terms during the summer.
The College of Education is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation
of Educator Preparation, which means we meet or exceed strict academic standards for
excellence in education.
The College of Education is one of Texas' top producers of teachers, administrators,
counselors and other school professionals.
The Department of Educational Psychology, which oversees this degree program, is affiliated
with various research and intervention centers that provide research and development
opportunities for faculty and students.
In addition to specialized courses, we provide many opportunities for you to participate
in interdepartmental studies, become involved in community-based programming and network
with other special education professionals.
Master of Education in Special Education candidates can choose from concentrations
in Autism Intervention, Educational Diagnostics or High-Incidence Disabilities.
What Can You do With a Special Education Minor and Master's?
Top 3 Careers (Autism Intervention)
- Behavior Intervention Specialist
- Special Education Teacher
- Early Intervention Specialist
Top 3 Careers (Educational Diagnostics)
- Educational Diagnostician
- ARD Facilitator
- Special Education Teacher
Top 3 Careers (High-Incidence Disabilities)
- Special Education Teaching
- Paraprofessional
- Intervention Specialist
Special Education Minor and Master's Courses You Could Take
Family Collaboration for Exceptional Learners (3 hrs)
Study of collaboration models and strategies used to work with families of students
with exceptionalities. Focus on changing definition of family, community resources,
advocacy, public policies and other factors that may impact students and their families.
Attention also given to working effectively with paraprofessionals.
Developmental Disabilities and AutismIdentification and Intervention (3 hrs)
Provides students with a background in the characteristics, causes, prevalence and
identification of individuals with developmental disabilities and autism. Maximum
consideration is given to classification categories as defined by the federal regulations,
integration of assessment and educational planning, and specific interventions for
facilitating the education and training for this target population.
Behavioral DisordersCharacteristics, Identification and Intervention (3 hrs)
An examination is made of the typical characteristics associated with severe behavior
problems and procedures for identification. Emphasis is on the development of appropriate
intervention programs.
Collaboration with Parents, Paraeducators and Professionals (3 hrs)
Communication and collaboration models and strategies in working with parents, caregivers
and professionals concerned about exceptional learners. Emphasis on the changing definition
of families and changing demographics and the implications these changes have for
effectively involving others in the decision-making for exceptional learners.
Classroom and Behavior Management Strategies for Exceptional Learners (3 hrs)
Introduces students to the principles and practice of applied behavior analysis (ABA)
in school settings involving students with special needs. Focuses on the fusion of
scientific or evidence-based practices with ethical principles in the design of a
function-based behavior intervention plan (BIP) for a person with a disability who
displays behavior problems.
Educational Aspects of Exceptional Learners (3 hrs)
Overview of the unique physical, cognitive and behavioral needs of exceptional learners.
The teacher’s role in identification and referral procedures and implementation of
effective educational practices as required by federal and state law are examined.
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