Special Education, M.A.

The Department of Literacy, Early, Bilingual, and Special Education

Master of Arts in Special Education

https://kremen.fresnostate.edu/masters-special-education/index.html

Program Description

The mission of the Master’s in Special Education program is to prepare educational specialists to become leaders who advocate and support students with disabilities, their families, and the schools and communities in which they reside. Through advanced course work in research-based curriculum and instruction for students with disabilities and foundations in research practices, students engage with real world problems and issues and find creative, sustainable, and equitable solutions to solving them. The Master’s in Special Education program is offered both in-person and online to meet the needs of our students.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements listed in the Graduate Studies Regulations section of this catalog, admission to the M.A. in Special Education program requires the following:

Evidence of a minimum GPA of 3.0 on all post-baccalaureate coursework.
Evidence of Level I/Preliminary Credential
An interview with the program coordinator*
Statement of purpose
Three letters of recommendation

*Required for applicants coming from programs other than those at Fresno State.

Program Requirements

Under the direction of the graduate adviser, each student prepares and submits an individually designed program within the following framework:

Core Requirements (27 units)

Choose one course (6 units):
SPED 175 - Final Practicum in Mild/Moderate Needs Units: 6
SPED 176 - Final Practicum in Extensive Support Needs Units: 6
SPED 178 - Final Practicum in Mild/Moderate and Extensive Support Needs Units: 6
Or equivalent coursework upon approval
SPED 125 - Positive Behavioral and Social Supports Units: 3
SPED 219 - Effective Communication and Collaborative Partnerships Units: 3
SPED 233 - Seminar in the Special Educator as Researcher Units: 3 (Advising Note 2)
SPED 237 - Introduction to Research Methods in Special Education Units: 3
SPED 239 - Issues and Trends in Special Education Units: 3
SPED 243 - Applications of Research Methods in Special Education Units: 3
SPED 248 - Advanced Curriculum and Instruction in Special Education Units: 3

Culminating Experience (4 units)

SPED 298 - Project Units: 4
SPED 299 - Thesis Units: 4

Total: 31 Units

Advising Notes:

Students meet the Graduate Writing Requirement by passing the writing component of SPED 233 . Contact the coordinator of the Special Education Program for more information.