Special Education, MS

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Special Education Core
SPED 530	Foundations in Mild to Moderate Disabilities	3
SPED 540	Assessment & Educational Planning & Lab	4
SPED 550	Curriculum Design & Implementation in Special Education	3
SPED 560	Positive Behavior Support in Special Education	3
SPED 570	Collaboration in Educational Settings	3
SPED 580	Procedural Safeguards in Special Education	3
Special Education Alternative Core 2
ECSE 622	ECSE Foundations	3
SPED 620	Characteristics of Students with Learning & Behavior Disorders	3
SPED 621	Access and Support for Ind. with Moderate to Severe Dev. Disabilities	3
SPED 623	Characteristics of Students with Moderate to Severe EBD	3
SPED 624	Characteristics of Students with Moderate to Severe Learning Disabilities	3
SPED 686	Autism Spectrum Disorders: Assessment & Programming	3
Research Component
SPED 625	Applied Research and Assessment in Education	3
SPED 626	Research: Project Design	3
SPED 627	Research Project Implementation	2
Licensure Areas
Select at least one Licensure Area:		9-15
Academic Behavioral Strategist
ED 524	Elementary Mathematics Methods & Lab
ED 501	Childrens Literature
ED 502	Early Literacy and Linguistics & LAB
ED 504	Literacy Methods & LAB
SPED 585	Autism Spectrum Disorders:Issues & Needs
Autism Spectrum Disorders License/Specialization
SPED 670	ASD: Practicum in Autism Spectrum Disorders Birth-Age 21, Levels 1-3
SPED 680	ASD: Practicum in Autism Spectrum Disorders Birth-Age 21, Levels 3-4
SPED 686	Autism Spectrum Disorders: Assessment & Programming
SPED 687	Autism Spectrum Disorders: Communication & Social Skills
SPED 688	Autism Spectrum Disorders: Behavioral & Instructional Strategies
Developmental Disabilities License/Specialization 3
SPED 621	Access and Support for Ind. with Moderate to Severe Dev. Disabilities
SPED 641	Life Span Learning & Outcomes for Individuals w/ Mod to Severe Dev Disabil
SPED 681	DD: Practicum in Developmental Disabilities: K-12, levels 3-4
Early Childhood Special Education
ECSE 622	ECSE Foundations
ECSE 632	Infants, Toddlers, & Families in ECSE & LAB
ECSE 641	Assessment and Curriculum in Early Childhood Special Education & LAB
ECSE 642	Programming for ECSE
ECSE 652	Transitions in ECSE
Emotional Behavorial Disorders License/Specialization
SPED 620	Characteristics of Students with Learning & Behavior Disorders 1
SPED 623	Characteristics of Students with Moderate to Severe EBD
SPED 643	Behavior Management & Teaching Strategies
SPED 673	EBD: Practicum in Emotional/Behavioral Disorders in grades K-12, Levels 1-3
SPED 683	EBD: Practicum in Emotional/Behavioral Disorders in grades K-12, Levels 3-4
Learning Disabilities License/Specialization
SPED 620	Characteristics of Students with Learning & Behavior Disorders 1
SPED 624	Characteristics of Students with Moderate to Severe Learning Disabilities
SPED 644	Teaching & Achievement Strategies for Learning Disabilities
SPED 674	LD: Practicum in Learning Disabilities in grades K-12, Levels 1-3
SPED 684	LD Practicum in Learning Disabilities in grades K-12, Level 3-4
Total Credits		54-60

¹

SPED 620 Characteristics of Students with Learning & Behavior Disorders (3 cr.) satisfies both specialties.

²

If you have previously taken the SPED Core listed above, you will complete the alternative core courses.

³

ABS-licensed teachers only may enroll in Developmental Disabilities Licensure/Specialization.

Master of Science: Special Education Notes:

Practicum Note: An application must be completed prior to approval of each practicum experience. The practicum application includes a placement form, copy of your Minnesota teaching license (go to http://education.state.mn.us for a copy), and your vita. A copy of your mentor teacher’s Minnesota teaching license is also required. Each practicum is a minimum of 120 hours of contact time. Two practicums are required. The DD, EBD, and LD practicum involve a K-6 and 7-12 placement and ECSE involve a B-3 and 3-6 year placement. For more information or forms, contact the Graduate Education Office at (507) 537-7171 or msed@SMSU.edu.

Notes: Beginning September 1, 2010, Minnesota’s testing program is called MTLE: Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations. As of September 1, 2010, only MTLE tests can be taken for Minnesota licensure.

Note: Passing scores from Praxis tests taken prior to September 1, 2010, will be honored until August 31, 2012.

An applicant adding a licensure field to an existing Minnesota classroom teaching license must pass:

• Test of content knowledge for the new licensure field, which consists of two subtests. For additional information, refer to the MTLE site at http://www.mtle.nesinc.com/.

The core classes are offered for either undergraduate or graduate credit. Education majors and SMSU have the option of an 18-credit non-licensure undergraduate minor in special education. For licensure purposes, core classes can be taken for either undergraduate or graduate credit. Graduate candidates do not retake core classes that may have been taken for undergraduate credit at SMSU or another institution. Graduate candidates who have a background in special education and/or have met some of the core competencies can complete two licensure areas to complete the required 34 graduate credits for the master’s degree.

The specialty/licensure classes, practicum, and research classes are offered for graduate credit only as part of the master’s program. Please note that SMSU also offers licensure in Developmental Adaptive Physical Education (DAPE) at the undergraduate level, Information on this license may be found in the section entitled, “Physical Education” of the online catalog.

Licensure in special educations without a Master’s Degree is possible if the candidate:

1. Holds a Bachelor’s Degree
2. Holds a valid teaching license
3. Completes the special education undergraduate core (17 credits)

Other graduate elective courses may be taken to complete the Master’s degree for students who have current special education licenses. Please contact Graduate Office for further information.