M.Ed. in Special Education
Benefits
- Students in the M.Ed. in Special Education program develop their skills as practitioners through direct clinical experience, working in dynamic settings and receiving feedback from students, parents, community members, administrators, university personnel and master teachers.
- Graduates of the M.Ed. in Special Education degree program meet the educational requirements for the Special Educators-Learning Behavior Specialist I (LSBI) certification from the Illinois State Board of Education.
Degree Requirements
Total Hours: 33
Student Teaching/Practicum: Required
Comprehensive: Portfolio
Thesis: None
Length of Program
Students with a teaching certificate take one year to complete the program on a full-time basis and two years to complete the program on a part-time basis. Students without a teaching certificate can work with an advisor to determine which deficiencies are needed prior to beginning coursework in the program and to develop a timeline for program completion. Students have five years from acceptance to complete the program. (See SOE Policy: Time Limit for Degree Completion)
Program and State Requirements
Policies and procedures for receiving Illinois certification must be met.
Candidates in all programs leading to Illinois certification are also required to pass an Illinois State Criminal Background Check.
Curriculum Plan: Completion of the M.Ed. degree program in Special Education requires 33 semester hours, consisting of 9 classes plus a full semester of student teaching, and a comprehensive portfolio at the end of coursework. The classes are sequenced for full-time day students and part-time evening students.
Technology Expectation
All students are provided Internet access to link electronically to classmates, faculty and student services. In order to use these technological resources, all students must have the computer skills necessary to support academic work (i.e., word processing, PowerPoint) and to access e-mail and the Internet.
Continuous Enrollments
Master's students in Special Education are required to maintain the status of continuous enrollment during their program of studies. This means that during each semester of each academic year (excluding Summer Sessions), each student must enroll in at least one course. (See SOE Policy: Academic Standing - Continuous Enrollment)
A formal leave of absence may be granted upon request and the approval of the School of Education’s Associate Dean of Student Academic Services.
Prerequisites
Applicants ideally will hold a valid teaching certificate. Students without a general education certificate will take an additional series of six courses in the M.Ed. general education program. Student teaching for these candidates will be extended, if needed, to a full year based on their performance.
Required Courses
- CIEP 451 Learning Theory and Teaching
- CIEP 511 Developmental Theory and Disabilities
- CIEP 425 Educational Assessment
- CIEP 501 Exceptional Learner Part II
- CIEP 477 Academic Assessment and Interventions
- CIEP 478 Behavior Assessment and Interventions
- CIEP 510 Accessing and Adapting the General Education Curriculum
- CIEP 479 Consultation, Collaboration, and Community Involvement
- CIEP 512 Seminar: Special Education, the Profession
- CIEP 563 Special Education Student Teaching / Practicum
Comprehensive
A Comprehensive Portfolio is required.
Degree Conferral
While the commencement ceremony is every May, degrees can be conferred May, August, and December. Students must apply for graduation/degree conferral. Students should apply for graduation in the semester they anticipate completing all degree requirements. Failure to meet application deadlines may result in a delay of the conferral of the degree to the following semester. Applications for Degree Conferral are due:
- August 1 for December conferral
- December 1 for May or August conferral
Please note the degree conferral application is valid for only one semester. If the degree is not conferred for the semester requested, a new application and fee are required for a subsequent semester.
