Offered at: San Luis Obispo Campus
https://soe.calpoly.edu/content/special-education
The Master of Science in Special Education is designed to develop the knowledge and skills that will contribute to your success as a special day class teacher, resource specialist, inclusion specialist, autism specialist, or clinician. Approved units for the master's degree program directly apply towards the requirements for a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential (Special Education) Mild/Moderate Disabilities. The MS in special education allows students to acquire depth of knowledge in and understand how action research can improve and enhance a teacher’s classroom performance.
Requirements for Admission
Students apply via Cal State Apply and must submit a transcript, 3 letters of recommendation, a personal statement, resume or curriculum vitae, and documentation of relevant field experiences.
International Students must meet all the standard eligibility criteria and demonstrate proficiency in English (English Proficiency Exam Requirements)
Prerequisites: None.
Minimum GPA: Cumulative higher education grade point average (GPA) of 2.5.
Application due date: Please see Graduate Student Dates and Deadlines for application deadlines. Students begin the program fall semester.
Advancement to Candidacy
Completion of at least 6 units of graduate coursework with a cumulative higher education GPA of 3.0 or higher and an approved culminating experience proposal.
Culminating Experience
Culminating project (SPED 5598)
Program Learning Objectives
- Apply understandings of learner development, learning differences, and knowledge of students.
- Create and maintain classroom routines and environments that promote learning, inclusivity, respect, and health/safety.
- Demonstrate and apply curricular content knowledge to design and organize effective learning experiences.
- Select and implement scientifically validated instructional approaches to meet individual learning needs.
- Collect and analyze assessment data from multiple measures to make data-based decisions about student learning needs, service eligibility, and instructional modifications.
- Demonstrate professionalism, ethics, legality, collaboration, and continuous growth and reflection.
- Engage in educational research and inquiry to remain informed of best practices, current research, legislation and debate.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| REQUIRED COURSES | ||
| SPED 5546 | Reading, Language Arts, and Literacy-based Social Studies Instruction in Special Education | 4 |
| SPED 5548 | Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Instruction in Special Education | 4 |
| SPED 5552 | Individualized Education Programs I | 3 |
| SPED 5554 | Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports | 3 |
| SPED 5586 | Introduction to Research in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 5588 | Individualized Education Programs II | 3 |
| SPED 5589 | Advanced Research Methods in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 5590 | Evidence-Based Behavior Management | 3 |
| SPED 5591 | Advanced Teaching Seminar in Special Education | 2 |
| SPED 5598 | Special Education Research Project | 4 |
| Total Units | 32 | |