The Master of Arts in Special Education prepares students to be inspiring, self-aware, and effective, evidence-based K-12 special education professionals. It is aligned to the Colorado P-12 Academic Standards of 2020, the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Professional Development Standards for all educators, the revised Teacher Quality Standards, and current educational policy and best practices. The depth and breadth of the special education licensure or added-endorsement program pathways resulting in a Master of Arts in Special Education is designed to prepare students to teach in Colorado or United States standards-based classrooms in rural and urban communities through the development of special education roles and responsibilities, K-12 content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and knowledge of current challenges in the teaching profession.
The Master of Arts in Special Education includes multiple pathways for graduate students either seeking an initial licensure, added-endorsement if already licensed teachers, and alternative licensing for both non-licensed or already-licensed graduate students.
The Master of Arts in Special Education requires students to complete all requirements of the Licensure or Added-Endorsement Program as well as a Master's capstone project and special education milestone electronic teaching portfolio upon completion of the program.
Program Goals
- To prepare new teachers who are proficient or above in all of the Colorado Teacher Standards and corresponding, endorsement specific content area standards and who have the opportunity to implement, reflect upon and improve their classroom practices.
- To prepare teachers who are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all students.
- To prepare teachers who can deliver instruction using multiple modalities, including hybrid, online, and in-person instruction.
Program Requirements
Special Education Licensure (24-27 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 611 | Strategies for Teaching Students with Exceptionalities | 3 |
| EDUC 612 | Assessment and Programming | 3 |
| EDUC 614 | Inclusivity with Collaboration | 3 |
| EDUC 615 | Student Teaching for Students with Exceptionalities (Can be taken twice for credit) | 3 |
| EDUC 630 | Inclusivity in the Content Areas | 3 |
| EDUC 631 | Inclusive Methods and Strategies for Literacy | 3 |
| EDUC 632 | Overview of Special Services | 3 |
| EDUC 633 | Differential Literacy Assessment | 3 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Post-Licensure Coursework (3-6 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| One to two EDUC 600 level electives | 3-6 | |
| Content Area Learning | ||
| Reading and Writing in the Content Area | ||
| Rethinking Learning in the 21st Century | ||
| Methods and Strategies of Effective Writing Instruction | ||
| Methods and Strategies of Effective Mathematics Instruction | ||
| Creating Effective Online & Blended Learning Environments | ||
| Using Data to Plan for Online & Blended Learning and Targeted Interventions | ||
| Managing to Differentiate | ||
| Pedagogies for English Learners | ||
| Inclusion and English Learners | ||
| Shaping School Culture | ||
| Legal and Ethical Issues in Education | ||
| School Law for Teachers | ||
| Resource Management in Education | ||
| Engaging External Stakeholders | ||
| Total Credits | 3-6 | |
Capstone Coursework (7 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 680 | Research and Critical Inquiry for Leaders | 4 |
| EDUC 693 | Capstone | 3 |
| Total Credits | 7 | |
Degree Plan
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EDUC 611 | Strategies for Teaching Students with Exceptionalities | 3 |
| EDUC 614 | Inclusivity with Collaboration | 3 |
| EDUC 615 | Student Teaching for Students with Exceptionalities (only initial licensure) | 3 |
| EDUC 630 | Inclusivity in the Content Areas | 3 |
| EDUC 632 | Overview of Special Services | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 612 | Assessment and Programming | 3 |
| EDUC 615 | Student Teaching for Students with Exceptionalities | 3 |
| EDUC 631 | Inclusive Methods and Strategies for Literacy | 3 |
| EDUC 633 | Differential Literacy Assessment | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDUC 680 | Research and Critical Inquiry for Leaders | 4 |
| EDUC XXX | EDUC Elective (only added-endorsement) | 0-3 |
| Credits | 4-7 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 693 | Capstone | 3 |
| EDUC XXX | EDUC Elective | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 37-40 | |