Master of Education in Special Education
The Master of Education in Special Education is designed to prepare professional educators with advanced competencies related to the field of special education. This is a 36-hour degree plan that originates in the School of Teaching and Learning. The candidate must successfully complete a departmental comprehensive examination. Candidates must be enrolled in coursework during the semester they take the comprehensive examination. The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education is accredited by CAEP, CEC, and SBEC.
The M.Ed. in Special Education course of study advances their students' knowledge and expertise in innovative research and teaching practices for learners with disabilities. This online program seeks to examine and refine disability policies informed by current research, implement and evaluate research-based practices, seek solutions to systemic injustice, and explore diverse cultural perspectives on disability. Students enrolled in the online M.Ed. Special Education program maximize their professional competence, career advancement, leadership roles, advocacy, and systems’ change competencies. This online program offers the convenience of studying at one’s own pace and in comfortable spaces.
The M.Ed. in Special Education with Transition Services Certificate course of study is aligned with the Council for Exceptional Children's Advanced Special Education Transition Specialist standards and is designed to meet the growing need for a specialized skilled set in transition services for special education teachers and professionals working in the field of special education transition services. Students enrolled in the online M.Ed. in Special Education with Transition Certificate program maximize their professional competence, career advancement, leadership roles, and advocacy and systems’ change competencies in the field of transition. Courses are taught online; eleven (11) courses are online asynchronous and one (1) course is hybrid.
The M.Ed. in Special Education with Educational Diagnostician Certification course is designed to provide the academic foundations necessary for the Standard Educational Diagnostician Certification, with a strong emphasis on practical application. This program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to apply research, methods, and recommended practices to effectively assess and instruct learners with special needs in diverse school and community settings. The program consists of 12 courses, each designed to prepare students for the real-world challenges of the field: seven (7) online lecture-asynchronous courses, two (2) practicum courses with online synchronous live lectures, and three (3) assessment courses that require four Saturdays of face-to-face participation throughout the semester, along with weekly hybrid synchronous online meetings.
The M.Ed. in Special Education with Educational Diagnostician Certification and Bilingual (Spanish) Diagnostician Certificate course of study provides the academic foundations necessary for the Standard Educational Diagnostician Certification. This program is designed for students with Spanish and English language proficiency who can evaluate emergent bilinguals (EB) as well as monolingual English speakers. Graduate students learn to conduct assessments in both English and Spanish, interpret results, and make educational recommendations for bilingual and monolingual learners with special needs. The program has a total of 12 courses. The description of the 12 courses is as follows: seven (7) online lecture-asynchronous courses, two (2) practicum courses with online synchronous live lectures, and three (3) assessment courses that require four Saturdays of face-to-face hybrid lecture participation throughout the semester along with weekly hybrid synchronous online meetings.
To be eligible to receive the Standard Educational Diagnostician Certification, a candidate must:
- Successfully complete an educational diagnostician preparation program that meets the requirements of TAC §239.82 (complete all the requirements on the SHSU Course Plan) and TAC §239.83.
- Successfully complete the examination based on the standards identified in TAC §239.83.
- Hold, at a minimum, a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education that, at the time was accredited or otherwise approved by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
- Hold a valid classroom teaching certificate.
- Have three creditable years of teaching experience as a classroom teacher (2 years of service may be earned while enrolled in the program).
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
To be considered for regular admittance to the Graduate School and the M.Ed. in Special Education program, applicants must submit the following to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
- Graduate application
- Application fee
- Official transcripts from all degrees earned
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of a 3.0, either overall or in the last 60 credit hours
- Two recommendation forms
- Transition Services: Curriculum vitae or resume
- Educational Diagnostician: Interview video
- Educational Diagnostician: Copy of applicant's Teaching Certificate
- Educational Diagnostician: Pay the $35 Texas Education Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs Fee (paid to the TEA as required by TAC 229.9.7)
- Educational Diagnostician: Teacher Service Record with at least 2 years of creditable service as a teacher of record
Master of Education in Special Education
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Education in Special Education | ||
| Specified Courses | ||
| BESL 5302 | Social and Cultural Language Influences On Learning | 3 |
| BESL 5304 | Second Language Acquisition and Development | 3 |
| CIED 5370 | Foundations of Education Research | 3 |
| ECHE 5349 | Language and Literacy Development in the Young Child | 3 |
| READ 5335 | Cognition & Emergent Literacy | 3 |
| SPED 5301 | Education of Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 5303 | Study of Cognitive and Low Incidence Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 5304 | Teaching Methods for Learners with Mild to Moderate Disab | 3 |
| SPED 6304 | In-Home Training and Family Issues | 3 |
| SPED 6311 | Seminar in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 6313 | Seminar in Language and Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 6321 | Outcomes in Behavioral Interventions | 3 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Note: Courses are taught online (12 asynchronous online courses).
Master of Education in Special Education with Transition Services Certificate
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Education in Special Education (Transition Services Certificate) | ||
| Specified Courses | ||
| SPED 5301 | Education of Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 5303 | Study of Cognitive and Low Incidence Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 5304 | Teaching Methods for Learners with Mild to Moderate Disab | 3 |
| SPED 5306 | Transition Services for Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 5307 | Transition Assessment and Instruction | 3 |
| COUN 5370 | Career Counseling Across Lifespan | 3 |
| or SPED 5308 | Career Development & Employment for Youth with Disabilities | |
| SPED 5309 | Leadership in Transition Services | 3 |
| SPED 6304 | In-Home Training and Family Issues | 3 |
| SPED 6308 | Practicum 1 | 3 |
| SPED 6311 | Seminar in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 6313 | Seminar in Language and Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 6321 | Outcomes in Behavioral Interventions | 3 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Note: Courses are taught online (11 asynchronous online courses, 1 online synchronous live lecture)
Master of Education in Special Education with Educational Diagnostician Certification
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Education in Special Education (Educational Diagnostician Certification) | ||
| Specified Courses | ||
| SPED 5301 | Education of Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 5302 | Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 5303 | Study of Cognitive and Low Incidence Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 5304 | Teaching Methods for Learners with Mild to Moderate Disab | 3 |
| SPED 5305 | Individual Assessment of Cognitive Functioning | 3 |
| SPED 6304 | In-Home Training and Family Issues | 3 |
| SPED 6308 | Practicum 1 | 3 |
| SPED 6310 | Assessment of Young Children and Low Incidence Populations | 3 |
| SPED 6311 | Seminar in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 6312 | Practicum 2 | 3 |
| SPED 6313 | Seminar in Language and Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 6321 | Outcomes in Behavioral Interventions | 3 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Note: The description of the 12 courses is as follows: seven (7) online lecture-asynchronous courses, two (2) practicum courses with online synchronous live lectures, and three (3) assessment courses that require four Saturdays of face-to-face hybrid lecture participation throughout the semester along with weekly hybrid synchronous online meetings.
Master of Education in Special Education with Educational Diagnostician Certification and Bilingual (Spanish) Educational Diagnostician Graduate Certificate
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Education in Special Education with Educational Diagnostician Certification and Bilingual (Spanish) Educational Diagnostician Graduate Certificate | ||
| BESL 5314 | Second Language Acquisition for Bilingual Diagnosticians | 3 |
| SPED 5301 | Education of Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 5303 | Study of Cognitive and Low Incidence Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 5304 | Teaching Methods for Learners with Mild to Moderate Disab | 3 |
| SPED 6304 | In-Home Training and Family Issues | 3 |
| SPED 6308 | Practicum 1 | 3 |
| SPED 6321 | Outcomes in Behavioral Interventions | 3 |
| SPED 6310 | Assessment of Young Children and Low Incidence Populations | 3 |
| SPED 6311 | Seminar in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 6312 | Practicum 2 | 3 |
| SPED 6319 | Bilingual Cognitive Assessment | 3 |
| SPED 6322 | Bilingual Special Education Assessment | 3 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Note: The description of the 12 courses is as follows: seven (7) online lecture-asynchronous courses, two (2) practicum courses with online synchronous live lectures, and three (3) assessment courses that require four Saturdays of face-to-face hybrid lecture participation throughout the semester along with weekly hybrid synchronous online meetings.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.
The M.Ed. in Special Education (Online) is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Leadership opportunities in public-private education, non-profit agencies, and foundations.
- Knowledge and expertise in innovative research and teaching practices for learners with disabilities.
The M.Ed. in Special Education with Transition Services Certificate is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Special Education Transition Services Certificate composed of courses aligned with the Council for Exceptional Children's Advanced Special Education Transition Specialist standards.
- Knowledge, skills, and dispositions to provide transition assessment and services in order to prepare students with disabilities for living, learning, and working in their communities.
The M.Ed. in Special Education with Educational Diagnostician Certification is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Educational Diagnostician Certification.
- Knowledge and skills necessary to improve the performance of a diverse student population.
- Currency in best practices and research as related to both assessment and student learning.
- Skills necessary to provide educational assessment and evaluation, as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or other applicable law, for students from birth through adulthood.
The M.Ed. in Special Education with Educational Diagnostician Certification and Bilingual Diagnostician Certificate is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Educational Diagnostician Certification.
- Graduate Certificate in Bilingual (Spanish) Educational Diagnostician.
- Knowledge and skills necessary to improve the performance of a diverse student population.
- Currency in best practices and research as related to both assessment and student learning.
- Skills necessary to provide educational assessment and evaluation, as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or other applicable law, for students from birth through adulthood.
