Special Education, Educational Diagnostician Track (Online) MA
Administrative Unit
This degree is administered by the Office of Graduate Studies through the faculty of Special Education, Department of Teaching and Learning, College of Education.
Objectives
The Master of Arts in Special Education prepares skilled professionals for careers as special educators in the school setting and other related disability fields. This program does not lead to certification in the state of Texas. Students seeking initial certification in special education will be required to enroll in the fast track program, complete clinical teaching, and may be required to take additional courses, as required by the state of Texas.
Admission Requirements
Regular Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Upper-division GPA of at least 3.0
- Essay that answers the following prompt:
- Describe the professional/teaching experiences and educational background that influenced your decision to pursue a master’s degree in special education. Explain how these factors have prepared you to academically engage in pursuing a master’s degree and a future role in the field. Your response should reflect your area of focus.
- Two years of teaching experience
- Teacher certification (if in Texas)
- Official transcripts
Conditional Admission Requirements
If you do not meet the GPA requirements for this program, you may qualify for conditional admission with the following requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Upper-division GPA between 2.5 and 3.0
- Essay that answers the following prompt:
- Describe the professional/teaching experiences and educational background that influenced your decision to pursue a master’s degree in special education. Explain how these factors have prepared you to academically engage in pursuing a master’s degree and a future role in the field. Your response should reflect your area of focus.
- Two years of teaching experience
- Teacher certification (if in Texas)
- Two of the following:
- GRE score of 282 (verbal and quantitative combined)
- Statement related to the circumstances surrounding your lower GPA and why you believe you are ready for this graduate program.
- Two professional letters of recommendation from school administrators who have supervised your work in the classroom.
- If you can only secure one from such a person, the second must be a professional letter from someone who can speak to your capacity to be a special education teacher.
- Official transcripts
Educational Diagnostician
The Master of Arts in Special Education prepares proficient and skilled professionals for careers in special education school setting and other related disability fields. Additionally, the Professional Educational Diagnostician licensure is available to students with prior teaching experience in either general or special education; however, all candidates must be certified in special education prior to exit from the program. Please note candidates must complete 9 hours of assessment coursework on campus during the second semester of study. Please note the following courses are taken simultaneously: EDSP 6395 and EDSP 6386, as well as 6392 & 6394.
Program Requirements
College of Education Core Requirements
Special Education Core Requirements
| EDSP 6339 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| EDSP 6344 | Methods for Teaching Exceptional Learner | 3 |
| EDSP 6345 | Transition Programming for Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| EDSP 6346 | Foundation and Legal Aspects of Special Education | 3 |
| EDSP 6348 | Curriculum and Instruction for Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Additional Coursework for Professional Educational Diagnostician licensure
Total Credit Hours: 36