Online Special Education MEd Program
(36 credit Hours)
 "Thank you for your interest in Edinboro University’s online Masters of Education in Special Education. This program makes it possible for students unable to attend courses on-campus, to complete a 36 credit Masters Degree. Students progress through the program with a cohort group. Beginning in the fall 2007, the program will span two years with students completing 2 classes per semester including summers. A three-week residency is required the first summer. Students may also seek certification in Special Education concurrent with the Masters, but additional courses are required based on an individual evaluation of student needs and prior education. Only students who hold teacher certification in some area are eligible to participate in the on-line M.Ed. program. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have. Hope to see you online!"Dr. Susan Criswell Program Head |
| The Program: If you are a certified teacher, you can earn a master's degree in Special Education and Pennsylvania State Special Education Certification, in less than three years of part-time study. This program includes a one-time, three week, summer residency on Edinboro Universety's main campus. All other coursework is delivered online. |
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| One-day On-campus Orientation in late August or early September | ||||||||||
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| Fall | SPED710 | Seminar in Exceptionalities | ||||||||
| EDUC784 | Psychological Foundations of Education | |||||||||
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| Spring | SPED750 | Seminar in Behavior Disorders | ||||||||
| SPED780 | Learning Disabilities | |||||||||
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| Summer (Residency) | SPED720 | Advanced Assesment | ||||||||
| Degree candidates must also take one of the following courses in the summer: | ||||||||||
| SPED628 | Classroom & Schoolwide Behavior Management Strategies for Inclusive Settings (online) | |||||||||
| SPED650 | Educational Strategies for Gifted Children (online) | |||||||||
| APSY796 | Strategies for Crisis Intervention and School Violence(on-campus only) | |||||||||
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| Fall | EDUC788 | Research in Education | ||||||||
| SPED730 | Analysis of Curriculum | |||||||||
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| Spring | SPED794 | Managing Serious Behavior Problems in Applied Settings | ||||||||
| SPED740 | Social and Educational Issues Effecting Individuals with Severe Disabilities | |||||||||
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| Summer | APSY789 | Seminar in Educational and Psychological Research | ||||||||
| Degree candidates must also take one of the following courses in the summer: | ||||||||||
| SPED628 | Classroom & Schoolwide Behavior Management Strategies for Inclusive Settings (online) | |||||||||
| SPED650 | Educational Strategies for Gifted Children (online) | |||||||||
| APSY796 | Strategies for Crisis Intervention and School Violence(on-campus only) | |||||||||
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NOTE: Individuals pursuing teacher certification in Special Education in addition to the M.Ed in Special Education must also complete the following courses:
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| Course Descriptions | |
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| SPED441 | Teaching Strategies I |
| This course presents basic principles and techniques for designing and implementing instruction in language arts (oral language, reading, and written expression) that is appropriate for students with disabilities. It emphasizes the development and adaptation of lesson plans and the selection and application of empirically-validated strategies such as direct instruction. Prerequisites: SPED215 or APSY213 and formal acceptance as candidate for teacher certification. | |
| SPED451 | Teaching Strategies II |
| This course integrates the use of empirically-supported methodologies, strategies, and techniques into instructional units for students with high-incidence disabilities. It emphasizes explicit instruction in mathematics and the content areas of science, social studies and career education. It includes use of technological resources, and creation of teacher-adapted instructional materials. Prerequisites: SPED215 or SPED541, and formal acceptance as candidates for teacher certification. | |
| SPED628 | Classroom & Schoolwide Behavior Management Strategies for Inclusive Settings |
| This is an advanced course that examines schoolwide and classroom approaches to managing disruptive behaviors in inclusive settings. The emphasis is on current research and effective practice on a continuum from proactive through intervention strategies for managing classroom behavior. This course is designed for students in special education, counseling, school administration, general education, or school psychology who are interested in developing a repertoire of behavior intervention strategies. This is the first course in the Behavior Management Certificate Program. | |
| SPED650 | Educational Strategies for Gifted Children |
| This course includes a study of procedures of placement, types of programs and methods used in educating the gifted from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Prerequisites: SPED215 or SPED710 and SPED640. | |
| SPED695 | Field Experience with Exceptionalities |
| The graduate student participates in the educational programming of exceptional individuals at a level of proficiency which recognizes the graduate student as a co-teacher working under the direct supervision of an on-site cooperating teacher, special education supervisor, or administrative personnel. This internship enhances the graduate student's teaching skills with the exceptional population. | |
| SPED710 | Seminar in Exceptionalities |
| This course acquaints graduate students with the historical development of special education and current and anticipated issues in special education. It reviews the attitudes toward and treatment of exceptionalities and the impact of exceptionalities on self, family, and community. It stresses etiology and identification of the various exceptionalities, as well as knowledge of the educational process for each. | |
| SPED720 | Advanced Assesment |
| This course studies the legal, educational, psychological and cultural bases for assessment procedures used in special education. It prepares students to be critical interpreters of assessment procedures, instruments, and results. It presents in-depth diagnostic procedures in areas pertinent to children with exceptionalities. Prerequisite: SPED710 | |
| SPED730 | Analysis of Curriculum |
| This course analyzes the changing roles of curricula in all areas of Special Education including movements in curricular thinking and developments from school exclusion to inclusion. It considers special areas of concern in each exceptionality from birth through age 21 and includes various approaches to developing curricula. Prerequisite: SPED710.
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| SPED740 | Social and Educational Issues Effecting Individuals with Severe Disabilities |
| This course focuses on low-incidence disabilities that include individuals with: physical disabilities, health impairments, cognitive disabilities, pervasive developmental disorder, and multiple disabilities. Topics include: conditions, characteristics, educational, social and ethical issues.
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| SPED750 | Seminar in Behavior Disorders |
| This course is designed to increase understanding of emotional and behavioral disorders in children and to improve competencies in working with children who have such disorders. Emphasis is placed on characteristics of selected disorders and on recent research into etiological factors and psychological and educational interventions. (It is strongly recommended that students have previously taken SPED710 and/or have other recent coursework or experience in special education.) | |
| SPED780 | Learning Disabilities |
| This course provides theoretical and practical knowledge in teaching children who manifesta significant discrepancy between their estimated intellectual potential and demonstrated achievement due to disorders in the learning processes. It explores behavioral analysis and diagnostic-remedial procedures through an interdisciplinary view of psychology and special education. | |
| SPED794 | Managing Serious Behavior Problems in Applied Settings |
| This advanced course provides theoretical, legal, and practical foundations for the applications of established behavior management techniques with children and adolescents in schools and other settings. It emphasizes the assessment and analysis of, and empirically validated interventions for, serious behavior problems. This course is second in the sequence of courses for the Behavior Management Specialist certificate. Prerequisite: SPED628 or permission of instructor. | |
| EDUC784 | Psychological Foundations of Education |
| This course provides for advanced study of the psychological aspects of contemporary theories of human learning and development. It examines constructivist approaches to instruction. Students apply knowledge of learning theories to classroom decisions concerning student diversity, student motivation, and instructional strategies. | |
| EDUC788 | Research in Education |
| This course develops the point of view and skills which enable students to apply research procedures to professional problems. Students gain the expertise necessary to be critical consumers of research and to carry out completed research projects. | |
| APSY789 | Seminar in Educational and Psychological Research |
| This course teaches skills required for completing data collection for research, evaluating the validity of research results, and presenting research to the public. Students are required to complete a research manuscript of publishable quality. Prerequisite: EDUC788. | |
| APSY796 | Strategies for Crisis Intervention and School Violence |
| This course develops an understanding of techniques and issues related to preventing and managing crises situations in schools. It trains students in non-violent interventions for handling aggressive and disruptive school-age individuals. This course is the third and final course in the sequence of courses for the Behavior Management Specialist Certificate. Prerequisites: SPED628 and APSY or permission of instructor. | |
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| Note: Those degree candidates who are also pursuing teacher certification in Special Education will need to take additional courses, which are not included on this schedule. | |
| Admission Requirements:
How to Apply: Please apply here. Out-of-State and international students pay in-state Pennsylvania tuition rate plus 5% for online program enrollment For More Information: For further information on the MEd Special Education program, please see the Special Education Website. If you have questions about the application process, please contact Edinboro University's School of Graduate Studies and Research at (814)732-2417 or visit www.edinboro.edu, choose Students, then Graduate. For questions specific to the Online Masters of Education in Special Education Program, please contact Susan Criswell at 814-732-2590 (scriswell@edinboro.edu) and Rick Wagonseller at 814-732-1094 (rwagonseller@edinboro.edu).
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