COMPLETE APPLICATION (application, application fee, all transcripts, all recommendations, and personal statement) DEADLINES FOR THE SPECIAL EDUCATION MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAM:
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Spring semester admissions - November 1
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Summer semester admissions - April 1
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Fall semester admissions - July 1
Request for Information (Graduate School)
Apply online: Graduate School Online Application (see Admissions info. below for deadlines)
General Purpose
The focus of the 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, develop and deliver instructional programs with the help of other pertinent professionals in the school.
Objectives
- To introduce students to concepts, practices, and approaches that concern children with school-related difficulties.
- To provide a practicum/internship setting that encourages students to both apply what they have learned and to further refine diagnostic and prescriptive skills with children and young adult's in a specialist area (i.e., learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, developmental/cognitive disabilities, early childhood special education, visual impairment) or cross-categorically (i.e., special education strategist).
- To encourage within students an inquiring and questioning attitude toward their profession.
- To encourage students to view their specialty within the broader context of the school setting. Included here would be a familiarization with issues, trends, and research that mark contemporary education.
- To enable students to become conversant with the literature of the field and to encourage them to be lifelong learners.
Areas of Study Offered A Master's Degree, *credential, and/or certificate can be obtained in these areas:
Note that only students admitted to the Master's Degree 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. Therefore, in order to complete the methods, assessment, and intership required for credentials, students must apply and be admitted to the Master's Program in Special Education
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Visual Impairment
- Special Education Strategist
- Learning Disabilities
- Emotional Disturbance
- Developmental/Cognitive Disabilities
Coursework in the area of gifted/talented is also available.
A student choosing to pursue a Master's Degree in Special Education should not take more than 9 semester credits before admission to the program. Only 9 non-degree credits are eligible for application to a Master's Program of Study.
There are two types of degree programs available: The Master of Education and the Master of Science . The Master of Education degree is designed for certified teachers preparing to be teachers of students with disabilities. The Master of Science degree has two tracks. Track 1 is designed for students who wish to study and do research in the area of disabilities and is available to both certified and non-certified persons. Track 2 is intended for non-certified persons only and is designed for individuals working in related professions who wish to gain knowledge and skills in the area of disabilities in order to work with individuals with disabilities in non-educational settings.
MASTER OF EDUCATION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
Prerequisites: |
Certification in Early Childhood*, Elementary, Middle or Secondary Education*
Education of the Exceptional Student (T&L 315)
* Note: Secondary Education majors must complete coursework in elementary reading and math methods
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Major: |
Includes a minimum of 18 credits of Special Education coursework, plus 2 credits of T&L 997. Courses can be chosen from the listed on the program handouts. |
Cognate Area: |
At least 6 semester credits in a related area such as inclusive practices, reading, counseling, another disability area, or administration. |
Foundations of Education: |
6 semester credits with EFR 500 Foundations of Educational Thought (3 cr.) being required. The second EFR course can be chosen from those offered or approved by the Department of Educational Foundations and Research (EFR). |
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
Track #1 |
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Prerequisites: |
Same as Master of Education requirements
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Major: |
Same as Master of Education requirements
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Scholarly Tool: |
At least 5 credits in Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods |
Minor or Cognate Option: |
If the minor/cognate option is selected, the 27 credit major is reduced by the number of credits in the minor or cognate.
Minor: |
An approved minor of at least 10 credits from one department with a graduate
program other than the Department of Teaching and Learning. Courses must be selected from those listed in the graduate catalog. The minor is signed by the chairperson of the minor department and will be listed as a minor on the transcript.
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Cognate: |
At least 9 credits in one area of concentration (other than Special
Education) or in more than one area. (300-400 level courses in departments outside of the Department of Teaching and Learning which have graduate programs are acceptable) The cognate is not listed on the transcript.
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Track #2 |
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Intended for non-certified personnel only. The program is the same as the Track #1 except that 6 credits of Foundations of Education are required, rather than 5 credits of Scholarly Tools. |
Admissions Process
Note: Students wishing to attain credentials in special education must apply to the Master's Program.
The graduate application process consists of the following:
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