Special Education Graduate Program
Program Description
The focus of the Special Education program is the further preparation and certification of specialists in an area of special education. This involves the ability to diagnose children and young adult’s difficulties, plan curricular approaches, and develop and deliver instructional programs with the help of other pertinent professionals. The master’s programs in Special Education are designed for two types of students: 1) those seeking teacher certification in the state of North Dakota or through “interstate reciprocity” in states other than North Dakota (i.e., Special Education/Developmental/Cognitive Disabilities, Special Education/Early Childhood, Special Education/Emotional Disturbance, Special Education/Learning Disabilities, Special Education/Visual Impairment, Special Education Strategist) and, 2) those seeking a master’s degree without certification (i.e., Special Education). Options for completing the master’s program include on-campus, online, or a combination of on-campus and online courses.
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Mission Statement and Program Goals
The Special Education faculty at the University of North Dakota believe that all children can learn. Thus, our mission is to provide the best preparation for students who aim to become special educators in schools, hospitals, state and private institutions, and other human service agencies.
Through this program, you will:
- Learn concepts, practices, and approaches that benefit children/young adults with cognitive/developmental disabilities.
- Become familiar with issues, trends, and research in the field of special education.
- Be encouraged to have an inquiring and questioning attitude toward your profession.
- Become conversant with the literature of the field and be encouraged to be a lifelong learner.
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Areas of Study Offered
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Developmental/Cognitive Disabilities (DCD/MR)
- Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
- Emotional Disturbance (ED/EBD)
- Learning Disabilities (LD/SLD)
- Visual Impairment (VI)
- Special Education Strategist (i.e., combination of DCD, ED, and LD)
- General Special Education (a “build your own” degree)
Note that only students admitted to the master’s program in special education, or who have completed a master’s degree in special education at UND, are eligible to take advanced coursework in special education.
Note that “advising sheets” listing the courses required in each degree are available here on the special education website.
A student choosing to pursue a master’s degree in special education should not take more than nine credits before admission to the program. Only nine “non-degree” credits are eligible for inclusion in the master’s program of study.
Note that only students admitted to the master’s program in Special Education, or who have completed a master’s degree in Special Education at UND, are eligible to take advanced coursework in special education (e.g., assessment, methods, internship).
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Degrees Offered
There are two types of degree programs and one certificate program available. The certificate program is composed of 12 credits and is offered in the area of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The degree programs include the master of science (M.S.) and the master of education (M.Ed.). The M.S. is designed for both certified and non-certified persons who wish to gain knowledge and skills in order to work with children and young adults with disabilities in educational and non-educational settings. The M.Ed. is designed for persons who are certified teachers and are seeking preparation in order to become teachers of students with disabilities.
The disability specific degrees in development/cognitive disabilities, emotional disturbance, early childhood, learning disabilities, strategist, and visual impairment are intended for persons seeking teacher certification in special education. The disability specific degrees are prescriptive in order to meet North Dakota requirements for endorsements in special education. The general “special education” degree is intended for persons who are not seeking teacher certification and is not prescriptive. Instead, it is flexible enough so that students can choose most of the coursework for the degree.
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Field Experience
Field experience (i.e., internship) is required for those students seeking teacher certification in special education. There are three types of internship: traditional, on-the-job, and resident teacher. The Special Education Field Experience Request Form must be completed prior to enrollment in an internship. Please note that regardless of the internship option selected, each “intern” completes the same set of required, specialization-specific assignments.
- Traditional Internship: This internship is completed in a similar format to undergraduate student teaching and covers one semester.
- On-the-Job Internship: This internship is completed while employed in an educational setting. A detailed plan must be submitted articulating how the student will meet the internship requirements while working. This option requires and additional application to the special education faculty. The form, Criteria for On-the-Job Internships in Special Education, is available on the special education website.
- Resident Teacher: This internship is part of the Resident Teacher Program and requires an additional admissions process to the master’s admission. The internship is spread across two years and is completed simultaneously with the master’s coursework. For additional information about the Resident Teacher Program, see the special education website.
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Admissions Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in education or a related field.
For students seeking teacher certification, T&L 315 Education of the Exceptional Student or its equivalent taken as either a prerequisite or a co-requisite with the master’s coursework.
For students seeking teacher certification, an elementary reading methods course and an elementary math methods course.
A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 for all undergraduate work or a GPA of at least 3.0 for the junior and senior years of undergraduate work (based on A = 4.00).
A minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based test, or for the Internet based TOEFL, a minimum score of 23/30 (speaking); 19/30 (listening); 19/30 (reading); 15/30 (writing) for applicants whose native language is not English. Applicants may also meet language requirements by presenting IETLS scores of 6.5.
Students who have received a bachelor’s degree or higher from the United States or English-speaking Canada are not required to submit the TOEFL.
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Admissions Process
- Complete the Graduate School online application form (choose specific master’s or ASD certificate program).
- Submit the application fee of $35.
- Submit the names and email addresses of three people who will complete the recommendation form: one from an employment supervisor or administrator, one from a professional colleague or university professor, and one from a person of your choosing.
- Send official transcripts from each institution attended to the Graduate School.
- Complete the personal statement (guidelines in Word or PDF) and attach it in the “essay” section of the application.
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Admissions Deadlines
A “complete” application (application, transcripts, recommendations, personal statement, fee) must be submitted by June 1 for fall semester admission, by November 1 for spring semester admission, and by April 1 for summer session admission.
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