Candidates for the Master of Science (MS) in Special Education may be recent college graduates or professionals experienced in fields other than teaching who wish to develop special education careers. The School of Education offers candidates the following options:
- Part-time master's program with focus in Mild-to-Moderate Disabilities which leads to teacher certification. Students may begin this program in either fall or summer semesters and have a maximum of five years to complete the program requirements.
- Part-time master's programs in two special education areas of focus (Severe Disabilities with Emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Severe Disabilities with an Emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis) that do not lead to teacher certification (for students who choose to pursue the Master of Science in Special Education degree but who do not wish to qualify for teacher certification). Students begin during the fall semesters and have a maximum of five years to complete the program requirements.
Master's Programs Leading to Teacher Certification
The following Master of Science in Special Education programs have been approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) for Generic Special Education certification:
- Mild to Moderate Disabilities (Elementary/Middle)-grades one through eight.
- Mild to Moderate Disabilities (Secondary/Adult)-grades six through twelve.
Mild to Moderate Disabilities: Elementary/Middle and Secondary/Adult (MSDE Certification-Generic Special Education)
This 39-credit program is designed for individuals who are seeking teacher certification to work with students who have mild to moderate disabilities, including learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, and mild intellectual disabilities. Candidates can start the program during the summer or fall semester and complete the program at their own pace. Candidates in the part-time program option must complete all program requirements within five years.
Special Educator certification options are available at the elementary/middle school (grades one through eight) or secondary/adult levels (grades six through 12). The teacher certification program options provide instruction and applied experiences in legal issues, educational assessment, data-based decision making, instructional programming, behavior management, and collaborative programming among general and special educators. Students learn to apply specialized techniques within a continuum of educational settings, with a particular emphasis on urban settings.
Non-Certification Master's Programs
The School of Education offers a number of program options for students not seeking certification but who want to enhance their skills in a specialized area of special education.
Currently, the School offers two non-certification specializations:
- Severe Disabilities with an Emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders option
- Severe Disabilities with an Emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis
Severe Disabilities with an Emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders Option
This 36-credit master's degree program option prepares individuals to teach students on the autism spectrum-ages birth through adult-whose educational priorities include specialized instruction and support in areas of communication, social/emotional skills, cognitive skills, and adaptive/ independence skills.
SEVERE DISABILITIES WITH AN EMPHASIS IN Applied Behavior Analysis
This 36-credit master's degree program option is designed for educators (special educators, general education teachers, behavior specialists, instructional specialists, paraprofessionals, teaching assistants, registered behavior technicians) who are seeking specialized training in special education and evidence-based practice of ABA. Professionals who earn the MS in Special Education-Severe Disabilities with an Emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis will acquire the competencies to meet the growing needs of students requiring special education and behavioral supports.
Learning Outcomes
Master's Programs in Special Education
Program Goals
The goals of the School of Education's Master of Science in Special Education certification programs are to:
- Secure recognition from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and approval by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
- Graduate highly qualified special educators, as measured by the successful completion of coursework, comprehensive exams, graduate projects and presentations, and required state Praxis exams.
- Graduate highly qualified special educators who possess the requisite competencies to effectively educate students with exceptionalities from a diverse range of backgrounds and needs in a variety of educational settings.
Program Objectives
The learning objectives of the School of Education's MS in Special Education certification programs are to:
- To prepare qualified and credentialed special education professionals who are able to apply evidenced-based strategies across settings in which students with disabilities are served.
- To provide multiple opportunities to bridge research and theory with reflective practice.
- To prepare qualified and credentialed special education professionals who possess and exhibit collaborative and ethical behaviors with students and colleagues.
- To prepare qualified and credentialed special education professionals who have acquired the knowledge to access necessary resources and the professional networks that will further their professional development and support their advocacy for children with disabilities and their families.
- To provide cutting edge research and excellent instruction, as evidenced by faculty scholarship and teaching evaluations.
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes for graduates of the School of Education's MS in Special Education certification programs are measured across seven content standard areas, as outlined by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC, 2015).
ADDITIONAL OUTCOMES FOR THE MS SEVERE DISABILITIES IN EMHASIS IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS
The broad educational objectives of the Master of Science in Special Education-Applied Behavior Analysis are to prepare educators to become effective teachers and leaders in applied behavior analysis and special education. The specific program learning outcomes are listed below:
- Candidates will define, demonstrate, and apply the concepts and principles of behavior analysis within an educational setting as evidenced by successful completion of coursework and when elected, practicum requirements.
- Candidates will utilize research methods to evaluate and measure the effectiveness of intervention and instructional procedures within an educational setting as evidenced by successful completion of coursework and when elected, practicum requirements.
- Candidates will conduct and complete behavioral assessments in order to identify the effective instructional program or behavior reduction plan in an educational setting as evidenced by successful completion of coursework and when elected, practicum requirements.
- Candidates will design, implement, and evaluate an instructional program based on assessment results to increase a desired behavior/skill for an individual student or a group of students in an educational setting as evidenced by successful completion of coursework and when elected, practicum requirements.
- Candidates will design, implement, and evaluate a behavior reduction program based on assessment results to decrease inappropriate behaviors for individual students or a group of students in an educational setting as evidenced by successful completion of coursework and when elected, practicum requirements.
- Candidates will define and practice within the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts, as evidenced by successful completion of coursework and when elected, practicum requirements.
- Candidates will be able to implement, manage, and practice applied behavior analysis in an educational setting as evidenced by successful completion of coursework and when elected, practicum requirements.
- Candidates will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills as outlined by the CEC's Advanced Specialty Set: Special Education Behavior Intervention Specialist
- With the successful completion of coursework and practicum requirements, candidates will take and successfully complete the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) exam as evidenced by a passing score (set by the BACB).
