Master of Science in Special Education

Program Coordinators:
Graduate Licensure: Susan Severson, Ed.D., severson@mnstate.edu
Master's Degree: Ximena Suarez-Sousa, PhD, suarez@mnstate.edu, Lommen 211D, 218.477.2007

Program Description

The Master of Science in Special Education is designed to further professional skills in the areas of Special Education and related research. The program focus is to understand advanced concepts, critically review research, and apply these concepts and research to the professional practice through ongoing, systematic professional development. Within the Master's Degree, a student may choose to study a specific area of disability in one of the following areas: Specific Learning Disabilities, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, Developmental Disabilities, Physical and Health Disabilities, Autism or Early Childhood Special Education.

Admission Requirements

The items listed below are required for admission to this program; only complete files are reviewed. Send all materials to:
Graduate Studies Office
MSU Moorhead
1104 7th Ave. S.
Moorhead, MN 56563

Application Priority Deadlines: November 15 and April 15

1. Baccalaureate degree in Education or Special Education from a regionally accredited institution.
2. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall or 3.25 in the last 30 semester credits of course work.
3. Completed Application for Admission to Graduate Study form.
4. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
5. Non-refundable $20.00 fee for first-time applicants to Minnesota State University Moorhead.
6. 250-300 word essay on professional goals and philosophy of education.
7. Two letters of recommendation (preferrably current school administrator, former employer, undergradute or graduate professor)

Degree Requirements

The degree is offered with an action research project. You will be guided through this process in your ED 603 and ED 609 coursework. Successful completion of written comprehensive exams are required as is a leadership/emphasis implementation project as part of your SPED 695 coursework.

Additional Requirements:

1. 3.0 grade point average required for courses submitted for the degree.
2. Written comprehensive examination.
3. Oral examination of thesis or project by committee.

Course Requirements

CORE REQUIREMENTS (18 Credits)
SpEd 613 Diagnostic Strategies (3)
SpEd 620 Perspectives and Policies in Special Education (3)
SpEd 664 Theory and Process of Consultation and Collaboration (3)
SpEd 695 Special Problems (1)
ED 603 Methods of Research (2)
ED 609 Action Research (2)
ED 632 Curriculum, Instruction and Learning Theory (4)

Autism Emphasis (15 Credits)
SpEd 531 Survey of Autism Spectrum Disorders (2)
SpEd 532 Identification and Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)
SpEd 534 Instructional Strategies for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)
SpEd 535 Asperger's Disorder: Instructional Strategies (2)
SpEd 536 Communication Strategies and Social Skills for students with ASD (2)
SpEd 606 Research and Applications in Behavior Analysis (3)

Developmental Disabilities Emphasis (15 Credits)
SpEd 519 Biomedical Aspects of Physical and Health Disabilities (3)
SpEd 517 Educating Student with Severe Disabilities (3)
SpEd 559 Communication Programming for Persons with Severe Disabilities (3)
SpEd 670 Career Education/Transition Planning for Secondary Students (3)
SpEd 606 Research and Applications in Behavior Analysis (3)

Early Childhood Special Education Emphasis (15 Credits)
SpEd 517 Educating Student with Severe Disabilities (3)
SpEd 519 Biomedical Aspects of Physical and Health Disabilities (3)
SpEd 523 Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families (3)
SpEd 526 Infant Strategies (3)
SpEd 527 Instructional Strategies: Preschool (3)

Emotional/Behavior Disorder (16 Credits)
SpEd 555 Characteristics of Students with Learning and Behavior Problems (4)
SpEd 563 Assessment Strategies (3)
SpEd 578 Educational Interventions: Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (3)
SpEd 670 Career Education/Transition Planning for Secondary Students (3)
SpEd 606 Research and Applications in Behavior Analysis (3)

Physical/Health Disabilities Emphasis (15 Credits)
SpEd 517 Educating Student with Severe Disabilities (3)
SpEd 519 Biomedical Aspects of Physical and Health Disabilities (3)
SpEd 547 Physical and Health Disabilities (3)
SpEd 559 Communication Programming for Persons with Severe Disabilities (3)
SpEd 670 Career Education/Transition Planning for Secondary Students (3)

Specific Learning Disabilities Emphasis (16 Credits)
SpEd 555 Characteristics of Students with Learning and Behavior Problems (4)
SpEd 563 Assessment Strategies (3)
SpEd 575 Informal Assessment/Teaching Strategies: Students with Learning Disabilities (3)
SpEd 606 Research and Applications in Behavior Analysis (3)
SpEd 670 Career Education/Transition Planning for Secondary Students (3)

Additional Information

Special Education Website
Graduate Application Form
Printable copy of this information in PDF