M.Ed. Special Education with Certification: Severe/Profound Low Incidence

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 pre-requisite 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 657, and ESE 664 classes.

For this M.Ed. Special Education with Certification program of studies, students must complete 31-49 units in the following areas, which are organized into three blocks:

Block A—Education Course Work (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.

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.

Educational Foundations (3 units)

Choose one course from: EDF 500, 670, 671, 672, or 677 (3 units)

Elementary Curriculum and Instruction (6 units)

Complete: ECI 531 and 573 (6 units)

Structured English Immersion (6 units)

Complete: BME 631 (or approved equivalent); and BME 500 (or approved equivalent) (6 units)

Educational Psychology (3 units)

Choose one course from: EPS 605, 610, 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 his/her program of study.

Block B—Required Special Education Certification Courses (31 units)

Choose six courses from: (ESE 526 or 681), (ESE 585 or cross-listed equivalent: DIS 519) ESE 634, 654, 664; DIS 505 (18 units)
2 units of ESE 608 Fieldwork (Low Incidence, taken with methods courses: ESE 664, and with (ESE 526 or ESE 681) (2 units)
ESE 698 (3 units)
8 units of ESE 594 (supervised student-teaching) or ESE 695 (internship)

Block C—Elective Course Work (0-15 units)

Candidates who want further Special Education preparation may choose to take one of the following focus areas. This is optional, not required.

Autism Spectrum Disorders: ESE 580, 608, 681 (Autism Spectrum Disorders)
Assistive Technology: DIS 525, 526, 528, 608, 689
Early Childhood Special Education: ESE 516, 536, 556, 608 (Early Childhood Special Education)
CLDE: ESE 520, 601, 602, 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 advisor. Deviations from these guidelines for individual candidates must be approved in writing by the advisor on this official form. In addition, you must be admitted to this degree program before finishing your first 12 units 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.