Special Education, MEd
Overview
This Master of Education (MEd) degree provides certified teachers with advanced coursework in special education. The program extends knowledge beyond initial teacher preparation by integrating knowledge and skills in assessment and evaluation or in instructional and behavioral support. Guided by the strong conviction that effective instruction for students with disabilities must be child centered, data driven, and outcome oriented. This includes required courses to earn the Educational Diagnostician endorsement in Louisiana.*
Program Structure
The Special Education, MEd is a 36-hour program. The program accommodates part-time graduate students. It features coursework in research and analysis and foundational special education content (e.g., legal issues, applied learning theory). Candidates select an area of specialization. Assessment and evaluation provides advanced training in the assessment and evaluation of individual students and school programming. Instructional and behavioral support specialization provides advanced training in the design, delivery, and supervision of instructional and behavioral supports in schools.
Assessment and Evaluation Required Coursework
ELRC 4006 Introduction to Applied Statistics in Educational Research (3)
ELRC 4249 Understanding and Applying Research in Education (3)
EDCI 7021 Legal and Ethical Issues in Special Education (3)
EDCI 7705 Applied Learning Theory for Exceptional Learners (3) *
* Requirement for Education Diagnostician endorsement
EDCI 4710 Consultation, Collaboration, and Co-Teaching (3) *
EDCI 6702 Measurement of Behavior: Analysis and Evaluation of Behavior Change in Education
(3) *
EDCI 6703 Promoting Positive Behavior Change in Education (3) *
EDCI 7009 Advanced Evaluation and Assessment for Students At-Risk (3) *
EDCI 7010 Advanced Practicum in Evaluation and Assessment (3) *
EDCI 7017 Explicit Instructional Models for Students with Disabilities (3) or
EDCI 7018 Strategic Instructional Models for Students with Disabilities (3) *
EDCI 7682 Teaching Reading in the Elementary School (3) *
EDCI 7683 Guiding Classroom Literacy Instruction and Practicum in Reading (3) *
Comprehensive Exam required
* Requirements for endorsement as an Educational Diagnostician.
Applied learning theory requirement - EDCI 7705
Behavioral intervention strategies - EDCI 6703
Consulting teacher strategies - EDCI 4710
Precision assessment and diagnostic/prescriptive strategies - EDCI 7017 or EDCI 7018
Test theory - EDCI 6702
Educational diagnosis - EDCI 7009
Supervised internship - EDCI 7010
Elementary - Diagnosis of Reading Problems - EDCI 7682 and EDCI 7683
or
Secondary - Diagnosis of Reading and Foundations of Reading - EDCI 7105, EDCI 7682, and EDCI 7683
Instructional and Behavioral Support Required Coursework
ELRC 4006 Introduction to Applied Statistics in Educational Research (3)
ELRC 4249 Understanding and Applying Research in Education (3)
EDCI 7021 Legal and Ethical Issues in Special Education (3)
EDCI 7705 Applied Learning Theory for Exceptional Learners (3)
EDCI 6701 Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis in Education (3)
EDCI 6702 Measurement of Behavior: Analysis and Evaluation of Behavior Change in Education
(3)
EDCI 6703 Promoting Positive Behavior Change in Education (3)
EDCI 6704 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum in Education (3)
EDCI 7017 Explicit Instructional Models for Students with Disabilities, (3)
EDCI 7018 Strategic Instructional Models for Students with Disabilities (3)
EDCI 7713 Individual Study in Special Education (3)
Approved elective - must be at the 7000 level (3)
Comprehensive Exam required