Updated 2021-2022 Graduate Catalog

Special Education, M.Sped. mspd

Master of SPecial Education - Special Education (M.Sp.ED)

Required Credits: 36
Required GPA: 3.0

The Master of Special Education is an application degree designed for practicing teachers seeking licensure in either specific learning disabilities, emotional behavioral disorders or autism spectrum disorders.  Components of the degree emphasize theory to practice in practicum settings, development and modification of curriculum for students with special needs, and an understanding of relevant literature and research within the field. Twenty-nine of the thirty-six credit hours in the Master of Special Education degree are based on the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) Initial Level Special Educator Preparation Standards and the Minnesota Special Education Licensure Standards. The remaining seven credit hours are research-based professional application courses. The degree, by itself, does not result in Minnesota special education licensure; additional courses are required to be recommended for special education licensure.

Standard 1: Learner Devl & Individual Learning Diff

Complete the following courses:

• SPED 5600 Study of the Learner with Special Needs (3 credits)
• SPED 5620 Teaching the Learner with Specific Learning Disabilities I (3 credits)
  or SPED 5630 Teaching the Learner with Emotional Behavioral Disorders I (3 credits)
  or SPED 5660 Teaching the Learner with Autism Spectrum Disorder I: Mild to Moderate (3 credits)

Standard 2: Learning Environments

Curriculum Techniques with Special Populations

• SPED 5715 Curriculum Techniques with Special Populations (3 credits)

Standard 3: Curricular Content Knowledge

Complete the following courses:

• SPED 6603 Math Difficulties: Diagnosis and Intervention (3 credits)
• SPED 6608 Reading Difficulties: Diagnosis and Intervention (3 credits)

Standard 4: Assessment

Due Process in SpEd II: Assessment & Reporting

• SPED 6605 Due Process in Special Education II: Assessment and Reporting (3 credits)

Standard 5: Instructional Planning & Strategies

Complete the following course:

• SPED 6620 Teaching the Learner with Specific Learning Disabilities II (3 credits)
  or SPED 6630 Teaching the Learner with Emotional Behavioral Disorders II (3 credits)
  or SPED 6660 Teaching the Learner with Autism Spectrum Disorder II: Moderate to Severe (3 credits)

Standard 6: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice

Complete the following courses:

• SPED 5655 Due Process in Special Education I: Individual Education Plan (3 credits)
• SPED 5107 Professional Practice in Special Education III (2 credits)

Standard 7: Collaboration

Collaborative Techniques for Special Educators

• SPED 5650 Collaborative Techniques for Special Educators (3 credits)

Professional Application

Complete the following courses:

• ED 6100 Educational Research I (3 credits)
• ED 6750 Educational Research II (2 credits)
• ED 6850 Capstone (2 credits)