Master's Degree (Advanced)
Special Education

Program Overview  | Conceptual Framework  | Program Details | Program Plans
Field Experience  |  Candidate Assessment Information  |  Program Faculty  |  Advising

Program Overview

The Master’s of Education in Special Education program provides advanced preparation for teachers in the field of special education. The program leads to a Master’s in Special Education degree and may include the necessary coursework for add-on certification in an area of special education depending on the program of study developed for the candidate. The UNO College of Education and Human Development is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Master’s of Special Education program is aligned with the standards adopted by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). The program is also aligned with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards although completion of the degree requirements does not necessarily result in completion of the requirements for National Board certification. The Master’s of Special Education program is 36 credit hours and focuses on the knowledge, skills, and dispositions associated with effective teaching of students with special education needs.

Entrance Requirements 

Individuals applying for the Master’s of Education in Special Education need to complete and submit the following documents to Admissions:  Graduate School application, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, and transcripts from other universities attended.  Applicants must hold a valid Louisiana teaching certificate to be accepted into the program.

Conceptual Framework

The program is aligned with the Conceptual Framework of the College of Education and Human Development. The Conceptual Framework establishes a goal to prepare reflective practitioners to address the needs of metropolitan schools. Within a theory-practice interaction model, the program prepares teachers to address six critical roles of teaching: 1) designing and delivering instruction, 2) managing time, tasks, and environments, 3) using inquiry to inform practice, 4) collaborating to support group practice, 5) advocating for students, services, and supports, and 6) improving classroom and system practice. The role-focused framework supports a performance-based preparation program.  Four critical themes are embedded within the program of study, including: assessment, communication, diversity, and technology. UNO programs of study are designed to assist teachers in creating an impact on children, schools, and communities.

Program Details

The Master’s of Special Education (M.Ed.) program of study is a minimum of 36 credit hours. The M.Ed. is divided into 4 components. Each is described in the table below:

Component	Description
Focus Area (15 credit hours)	The focus area is comprised of 6000 level special education coursework (EDSP). A minimum of 15 credit hours are required in one of the following focus areas: Blind/Visual Impairment (B/VI) Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) Early Intervention (EI) Mild/Moderate Disabilities (MM) Significant Disabilities (SD)
Research (3 credit hours)	EDFR 6700: Educational Research
Specialty Area (6 credit hours)	A minimum of 6 credit hours in one specialty area*
Flexible Hours (12 credit hours)	The program allows a MAXIMUM of 12 credit hours of elective coursework. Candidates may use these graduate courses to: Address initial teacher certification via an alternate certification program Address the requirements of an add-on certification Address additional focus area coursework Address additional research coursework Address one or two additional specialty areas

*A specialty area is defined as an area of knowledge and skills that a teacher can apply beyond the classroom level to assist in whole school operation and improvement. Currently, faculty are working to develop specialty area coursework. At this time, degree requirements may be fulfilled by completing 6 graduate hours in a related field outside the area of special education (EDSP).

Program Plans (curriculum sheets)

Field Experience

The Master’s of Special Education program represents a performance-based model of personnel preparation and requires field experience associated with the completed coursework. Information on the field experience requirements of each course in the program of study may be found in the course syllabus. Throughout the program, candidates record site and grade level placements of field experiences in their LiveText electronic portfolio. These records are assessed at each transition review by program faculty to ensure that candidates are developing a balanced set of field experiences that include work with diverse students in school settings.

Candidate Assessment Information

The Master’s of Special Education program requires candidates to meet performance standards associated with assessments in addition to satisfactory completion of coursework. In addition to the admissions review, the program includes an interim and exit transition review. Assessments include unit assessments that are incorporated into each College of Education and Human Development program of study and program assessments unique to the Master’s in Special Education program. These assessments are currently in development and will be posted upon completion.

Key Program Faculty

Brenda Burrell - MM
Mary Cronin - MM
Linda Flynn-Wilson - EI
Kate Reynolds - D/HH
Randall Scott - B/VI
William Sharpton - SD
Polly Thomas - Educational Diagnostician
Bud Wellington - Gifted and Talented Education

Advising Information

Contact the SEHS Graduate Coordinator for more information