This plan is appropriate for candidates who are not already certified in special education. A survey or introduction to special education (ESE 548 or an equivalent course) is a prerequisite for this program of study.
Candidates in this program of studies are required to demonstrate content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and skills, and professional knowledge to be eligible to enter student teaching or internship placements. Content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge or skills are demonstrated through candidate performance on key assessments embedded in the ESE 585 or DIS 519, ESE 655, and ESE 554 classes.
For this M.Ed. Special Education with certification program of studies, students must complete 46 units in the following areas which are divided into three blocks:
Block A – Education Coursework (15-18 units)
The courses in this block are required for those candidates entering the program without a degree or certification in elementary or secondary education. For candidates who have a degree in elementary education, these requirements are waived and you may take additional elective coursework to fulfill the 46 credit hour minimum to graduate from the program. For candidates who have certification in secondary education, the elementary curriculum and instruction block is required, but the educational foundations and educational psychology courses can be waived and additional elective coursework can be used to fulfill the 46 credit hour minimum to graduate from the program.
Educational Foundations (6 units) ECI 573, 531
Structured English Immersion (6 units) BME 631 (or approved equivalent), and BME 500 (or approved equivalent)
Educational Psychology (3 units) choose one from EPS 605, 610, or 611
EDF 500 and EPS 605 are strongly recommended if you did not complete an undergraduate education degree or certification program. BME courses are required for the Structured English Immersion (SEI) endorsement. Candidates who have full SEI endorsement at admission must provide proof of the full endorsement. If proof of full SEI endorsement is presented at admission, the candidate is not required to take the BME courses as part of their program of study.
Block B – Required Special Education Certification Courses (31 units)
18 units – ESE 634, 585 or DIS 519, 554, 426 or 581, 655, and DIS 505
2 units of ESE 608 (Low Incidence taken with methods courses: ESE 554, and with ESE 426 OR ESE 581)
3 units of ESE 698
8 units of ESE 594 (supervised student teaching) or 695 (internship)
Block C – Elective Coursework (0-15 units)
Candidates who have remaining units within the 46 unit minimum or who wish to exceed the minimum units for this program of study may choose to take elective coursework in one of the following focus areas.
Autism Spectrum Disorders – ESE 580, 581, and 608 (Autism Spectrum Disorders)
Assistive Technology – DIS 525, 526, 528, 608 (Assistive Technology), 697
Early Childhood Special Education – ESE 516, 536, 556, 608 (Early Childhood Special Education)
CLDE – ESE 520, ESE 601, ESE 602, ESE 603 (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Education)
Positive Behavior Support – ESE 502, DIS 529, 539, 608 (Positive Behavior Support)
Application to the Teacher Education Program is required. A program of study must accompany the application for admission to the program. All courses must be selected with the written approval of a special education faculty adviser. Deviations from these guidelines for individual candidates must be approved in writing by the adviser on this official form. In addition, you must be admitted to this degree program before finishing your first 12 hours of graduate work.
Please Note: Candidates must also pass the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (professional knowledge and special education focus area), and meet State requirements on Federal and State Constitutional knowledge for Arizona Teacher Certification.
Click here for more information about our Special Education faculty.