Special education
Master of education/professional studies
Note: This program material provides an overview of program requirements. For more detailed information, contact the special education office at the Department of Educational Psychology (EdPsych), 612-626-0367; e-mail: sped-adm@umn.edu; or visit the EdPsych Web site. You are also encouraged to attend an information session.
Program
The master of education (M.Ed.)/professional studies program in special education is a graduate-level, practitioner-based program for educators of children with unique learning needs.
With guidance from faculty advisers, students choose at least 30 semester credits of work in topics that may include: current issues in special education (e.g., mandatory education, due process, right to parental involvement); related courses in other fields; and practicum requirements that can be adapted to meet individual needs.
The program is flexible and includes coursework, seminars, independent study, internships, workshops, school-based experiences, and an integrative written paper. The program is offered by the Department of Educational Psychology (EdPsych) in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).
Students can earn state licensure in several disability areas, including deaf/hard of hearing, developmental disabilities, early childhood special education*, emotional/behavioral disabilities, and learning disabilities.
Courses at the University of Minnesota are offered at a variety of times, including late afternoons. Students may also enroll in courses offered during the summer or at off-campus school sites.
Admission
Admission to the M.Ed. program in special education is competitive, with emphasis placed on undergraduate grade point average (GPA) and experience predictive of future success as a teacher of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with special needs. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree with a 2.70 minimum GPA from an accredited institution
- Two or more letters of reference from academic advisers or from individuals who can attest to successful experience working with people who are disabled or in educational settings
- A written personal statement describing your career goals and rationale for interest in the M.Ed. program (limit two pages)
- A copy of your current teaching license(s). This requirement does not apply to applicants seeking initial licensure
- Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) scores. Candidates seeking their first teaching licensure must take the Praxis I test before starting program coursework. When registering for the test, request that the test scores be sent to University of Minnesota-Twin Cities institutional code 6874. See more information on Praxis teasting.
- A completed CEHD Application for Admission to M.Ed./Professional Studies Programs [.pdf], available at Student Services, 150 Williamson Hall, 231 Pillsbury Dr. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-6501; e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu; or on the Web.
- Completed special education programs application materials. Details are available from the special education programs admission office, 612-626-0367; e-mail: sped-adm@umn.edu.
Admission process and deadlines
The application deadline for summer or fall admission is March 1. Each focus area within special education has an individual review process. Each focus area admits only once a year and has its own admissions cap of approximately 30 to 40 students. Admission decisions are generally made six to eight weeks after the application deadline.
Students may apply to these focus areas within special education:
- Deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH)
- Developmental disabilities (DD)
- Early childhood special education (ECSE) *
- Emotional/behavioral disorders (E/BD)
- Learning disabilities (LD)
Submit application materials in one packet to the following address:
Student Services
College of Education & Human Development (CEHD)
250 Education Sciences Building
56 River Road
Minneapolis MN 55455
* Note: The M.Ed./professional studies degree in special education with an early childhood special education (ECSE) focus is open only to candidates who already hold Minnesota ECSE licensure. (For more information, candidates with ECSE licensure from other states should contact a program adviser at the college's office of Student Services, 612-625-6501, e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu.)
Candidates seeking ECSE licensure may apply to CEHD’s M.Ed./initial licensure program in early childhood education and early childhood special education (ECE/ECSE).
Transfer credits
A maximum of 12 graduate semester transfer credits may be applied to the M.Ed. program. Credits may include any combination of the following coursework:
- Up to eight graduate semester credits from fully accredited institutions other than the University of Minnesota
- Credits completed at the University of Minnesota before admission to the M.Ed. program
Transfer courses must be completed at the graduate level and approved by a faculty adviser and the college. Contact the program’s faculty adviser for more information.
Criminal background check
Before starting student teaching or practicums, students seeking their first teaching license are subject to a criminal background check required by the college.
The investigation is conducted by a private agency contracted by the college and is designed to meet school district guidelines governing adults with responsibility for children. Decisions about candidate placement will be made by the district approving the assignment.
For background check details and fees, contact Bob Utke at CEHD, 612-625-1084, e-mail: stuteach@umn.edu.
Curriculum
The special education curriculum is committed to practice, inquiry, and leadership through an integrated program of graduate studies, training, and research. With faculty guidance and approval, students choose at least 30 credits to complete the program. M.Ed. requirements include 18 credits of special education courses and 12 credits in related areas of study.
The program of study consists of three integrated areas:
- Core studies in special education that include special education policies and practices, parent and professional partnerships, assessment and progress monitoring, and behavioral analysis in education
- Applied studies within several specialty areas and experiences in problem solving, program planning and delivery
- Background courses that are recommended, but not required, before entering the M.Ed. program, including child development, assessment, human relations, literacy, instructional strategies and content areas in general education or a current, valid teaching license in general education.
Curriculum listed below outlines some of the requirements for the M.Ed. degree in special education. For details on teaching licensure in special education, contact the special education program adviser, 612-626-0367; e-mail: sped-adm@umn.edu.
Core studies
- EPSY 5613—Foundations of Special Education I (3 cr)
- EPSY 5614—Foundations of Special Education II (3 cr)
- EPSY 5616—Behavior Analysis and Classroom Management (3 cr)
Specialty areas
Several special education focus areas are offered. Each offers practica and student teaching experiences in a variety of classroom and community settings including preschool, elementary, middle, and secondary educational programs. Additional seminars and workshops are available throughout the year. For more information, check the program’s Web site or contact advisers at Student Services or the special education program offices.
Deaf/Hard of hearing
- EPSY 5641—Foundations of Education for Individuals Who Are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (3 cr)
- EPSY 5642—Early Childhood Intervention for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool Children Who Are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (3 cr)
- EPSY 5644—Language Development and Programming for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Children (3 cr)
- EPSY 5646—Reading and Writing Practices with Deaf/ Hard of Hearing Children (3 cr)
- EPSY 5647—Aural and Speech Programming for Persons Who Are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (3 cr)
- EPSY 5648—Communication Systems for Children with Disabilities (2 cr)
- EPSY 5649—Models of Instructional Programming with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (3 cr)
Developmental disabilities
- EPSY 5604—Transition from School to Work and Community Living for Persons with Special Needs (2 cr)
- EPSY 5612—Understanding of Academic Disabilities (3 cr)
- EPSY 5618—Specialized Interventions for Students With Disabilities in Reading and Written Language (3 cr)
- EPSY 5621—Functional/Basic Academic Interventions in Mental Retardation (3 cr)
- EPSY 5622—Programs and Curricula for Learners with Severe Disabilities (3 cr)
- EPSY 5624—Biomedical and Physical Aspects of Developmental Disabilities (2 cr)
- EPSY 5626—Seminar: Developmental Disabilities and Instructional Management (3 cr)
- EPSY 5636—Education of Multihandicapped Learners with Sensory Impairments (3 cr)
- EPSY 5661—Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 cr)
Early childhood special education
- EPSY 5622—Programs and Curricula for Learners with Severe Disabilities (3 cr)
- EPSY 5625—Education of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool Children with Disabilities: Introduction (2 cr)
- EPSY 5681—Education of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool Children with Disabilities: Methods and Materials (3 cr)
- EPSY 5849—Observation and Assessment of the Preschool Child (3 cr)
Emotional/Behavior disorders
- EPSY 5612—Understanding of Academic Disabilities (3 cr)
- EPSY 5615—Advanced Academic Interventions (3 cr)
- EPSY 5618—Specialized Interventions for Students With Disabilities in Reading and Written Language (3 cr)
- EPSY 5656—Social and Interpersonal Characteristics of Students with Disabilities (3 cr)
- EPSY 5657—Interventions for Social and Emotional Disabilities (3 cr)
Learning disabilities
- EPSY 5612—Understanding of Academic Disabilities (3 cr)
- EPSY 5615—Advanced Academic Interventions (3 cr)
- EPSY 5618—Specialized Interventions for Students With Disabilities in Reading and Written Language (3 cr)
- EPSY 5656—Social and Interpersonal Characteristics of Students with Disabilities (3 cr)
- EPSY 5657—Interventions for Social and Emotional Disabilities (3 cr)
Note: For course descriptions and schedules, refer to the University of Minnesota Class Schedule.
Registration
Currently admitted degree-seeking or non-degree seeking students may register online for coursework.
Students who want to begin M.Ed. coursework before admission to the M.Ed. program must complete a CEHD First-Time Registration for non-degree seeking Students packet [.pdf]. Packets are also available at the college’s office of Student Services, 360 Education Sciences Building, 56 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-3339; e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu.
For questions about registration, contact Student Services at 612-625-5815.
Core faculty
For more information about the M.Ed. program in special education, contact the faculty members listed below:
Stanley Deno
612-624-7090
Ph.D., University of Minnesota;
focus: learning disabilities
Susan Hupp
612-624-1003
Ph.D., University of Illinois;
focus: severe/profound developmental disabilities
Asha
Jitendra
612-626-7116
Ph.D., University of Oregon;
focus: learning disabilities
Jennifer
McComas
612-624-5854
Ph.D., University of Iowa,
focus: emotional/behavioral disorders
Kristen
McMaster
612-624-1859
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University;
focus: mild cognitive and academic disabilities
Joe Reichle
612-625-6542
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison;
focus: severely disabled populations, language disorders
Susan Rose
612-624-6387
Ph.D., The Ohio State University;
focus: deaf/hard of hearing
Frank
Symons
612-626-8697
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University;
focus: emotional/behavioral disorders
November 2008