Mar 28, 2024  
University Catalog 2016-2017 
    
University Catalog 2016-2017 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Special Education, M.A.


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The Master of Arts (MA) degree in Special Education provides administrators, teachers, and therapists with advanced preparation for work with exceptional learners. MA candidates must incorporate the credential requirements in their area of specialization as a part of their program. (This requirement may be waived for personnel in related fields, such as nurses, occupational or physical therapists, or speech language pathologists.) The MA programs include a choice among a variety of options.

Admission to the Program

In addition to university requirements for admission to graduate study, applicants must have a minimum of a 2.75 grade point average in their last 60 semester units attempted, must have completed (or complete concurrently) requirements for a California credential in special education or equivalent (this requirement may be waived for personnel in related fields, such as nurses, occupational or physical therapists, or speech language pathologists), must complete all division application procedures, and must obtain approval from the division. A number of scholarships and traineeships are available to qualified students. Interested students should contact the division office.

Advisement

Students should seek advisement for all special education credential and graduate programs in the Division of Special Education and Counseling.

Candidates are encouraged to apply for the MA program during the second or third semester of the credential program, as only 13 pre-approved units may be applied towards the MA degree.

Requirements for the Degree (30 - 33 units minimum; unit requirements vary by option)


A minimum of 30 - 33 units is required, with at least one-half in 5000-level courses. The candidate must maintain a minimum 3.0 (B) grade point average, with no grade lower than C. The program has five components: (1) Pre-requisite courses as applicable; (2) Credential requirements; (3) MA required core courses; (4) Required specialization courses and electives that are approved by the advisor; and (5) Successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination or Thesis/Project. Students must pass all sections of the comprehensive examination by the third attempt. Students may pursue the thesis or project option only when they meet specified division and college criteria. Students electing the thesis and planning to perform quantitative analysis are required to take EDFN 4520 Statistics in Education (3 units) or equivalent as a prerequisite or corequisite to EDSP 5990. See restriction on credit earned in variable unit courses in the Charter College of Education  section of the academic programs: college-based and university-wide chapter.

Autism Spectrum Disorders Option (31-32 units)


Comprehensive Examination or Thesis or Project (0, 4 units)


Notes:


Students should expect to take the Comprehensive Examination (EDSP 5960) during the Fall or Spring semester after they complete all coursework on their program and must comply with college and division requirements.

*Students who do a thesis are required to obtain advisor approval. 

** May be repeated once for credit.

Early Childhood Special Education Option (30 units)


Electives (8-12 units)


Students will take 8-12 units of advisor approved electives (depending on whether the student elects to complete a thesis/project or take the comprehensive examination). Students are encouraged to develop an emphasis in consultation with their advisor.

Students who do not have a teaching credential in Early Childhood Special Education will be required to take EDSP 5045, Fieldwork in Special Education: Early Childhood.

Comprehensive Examination or Thesis or Project (0,4 units)


Notes:


Students should expect to take the Comprehensive Examination (EDSP 5960) during the Fall or Spring semester after they complete all coursework on their program and must comply with college and division requirements.

*Students who do a thesis are required to obtain advisor approval.

**May be repeated once for credit.

Mild/Moderate Disabilities Option (30 units)


Electives (8-12 units)


Students will take 8 - 12 units of advisor approved electives (depending on whether the student elects to complete a thesis/project or take the comprehensive examination). Students are encouraged to develop an emphasis in consultation with their advisor.

Comprehensive Examination or Thesis or Project (0, 4 units)


Notes:


Students should expect to take the Comprehensive Examination (EDSP 5960) during the Fall or Spring semester after they complete all coursework on their program and must comply with college and division requirements.

*Students who do a thesis are required to obtain advisor approval.

** May be repeated once for credit.

Moderate/Severe Disabilities Option (30-34 units)


Electives (9 units)


Students will take a minimum of 9 units of advisor approved electives. Students are encouraged to develop an emphasis in consultation with their advisor.

Comprehensive Examination or Thesis or Project (0, 4 units)


Notes:


Students should expect to take the Comprehensive Examination (EDSP 5960) during the Fall or Spring semester after they complete all coursework on their program and must comply with college and division requirements.

*Students who do a thesis are required to obtain advisor approval.

** May be repeated once for credit.

Multicultural Multilingual Special Education Option (30-34 units)


Comprehensive Examination or Thesis or Project (0, 4 units)


Notes:


Students should expect to take the Comprehensive Examination (EDSP 5960) during the Fall or Spring semester after they complete all coursework on their program and must comply with college and division requirements.

*Students who do a thesis are required to obtain advisor approval.

** May be repeated once for credit.

Physical and Health Impairments Option (30 units)


Electives (8-12 units)


Students will take  8-12 units of advisor approved electives, (depending on whether the student elects to complete a thesis/project or take the comprehensive examination).. Students are encouraged to develop an emphasis in consultation with their advisor.

Comprehensive Examination or Thesis or Project (0,4 units)


Notes:


Students should expect to take the Comprehensive Examination (EDSP 596) during the Fall or Spring quarter after they complete all coursework on their program and must comply with college and division requirements.

*Students who do a thesis are required to obtain advisor approval.

**May be repeated once for credit.

Visual Impairment and Blindness: Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Option (33 - 37 units)


Electives (0-2 units)


Students may take electives with advisor approval.

Comprehensive Examination or Thesis or Project (0, 4 units)


Notes:


Students should expect to take the Comprehensive Examination (EDSP 5960) during the Fall or Spring semester after they complete all coursework on their program and must comply with college and division requirements.

*Students who do a thesis are required to obtain advisor approval.

** May be repeated once for credit.

Visual Impairment and Blindness: Teacher Preparation Option (30-34 units)


Notes:


Students should expect to take the Comprehensive Examination (EDSP 5960) during the Fall or Spring semester after they complete all coursework on their program and must comply with college and division requirements.

*Students who do a thesis are required to obtain advisor approval.

** May be repeated once for credit.

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