Special Education, Master of Arts in Education

Offered by Department of Teacher Education

Program Information and Admission Requirements

The degree in Special Education requires four core classes covering the areas of research, democracy, diversity, and technology in accordance with the renewed focus of the College of Education. The program is 36 credit hours; however, additional credit hours may be needed for state certification in some endorsement areas.

Admission requirements include GPA and either the Graduate Record Examination or a Professional Biography. Teacher certification is required for this master’s program.

The Special Education program offers three emphasis areas described below: Advanced Practitioner, High Ability Education (Gifted), and Special Education.

  • Advanced Practitioner is designed to extend the expertise of educators with a teaching credential in one or more areas of special education.  There are four possible emphasis areas in the Advanced Practitioner program: Behavior Intervention Specialist, Inclusion and Collaboration Specialist, Functional Academic Skills and Independent Living Specialist, and Assistive Technology Specialist. The first three include the required hours necessary for a state Supplementary Endorsement in each area. Assistive Technology does not lead to a supplementary endorsement.

  • High Ability Education (Gifted) is designed to prepare educators with the knowledge base and competencies necessary for the appropriate education of gifted and talented learners. It includes the 18 credit hours necessary for the state Supplementary Endorsement in High Ability Education.

  • Special Education Generalist is designed to lead to initial certification in special education. This applies to teachers certified in a field of education other than special education. Completion of the undergraduate professional sequence is required in addition to the master's classes for individuals who do not have degree in education.

Successful completion of a comprehensive examination/project is required prior to graduation. There are three parts:

  1. Program examination/project

  2. Departmental examination, and

  3. College of Education survey of Desired Outcomes.

Contact your adviser at least one semester in advance of your planned graduation. Additionally, you must apply for graduation in the first few weeks of the semester in which you intend to graduate even if you will not attend.

High Ability Education (Gifted), Advanced Practitioner, Special Education Emphases

These programs are offered online only.

All students are required to complete an exit survey during the semester of graduation or program completion.

Department Core Courses

Research Course
TE 800Education Research3
Democracy
TE 803Philosophy of Education3
Diversity
TE 804Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education3
Technology
TE 805POverview of Assistive Technology 13
or TE 886P Digital Technology for Educators
Emphasis Area
Select an Emphasis Areas:24
Total Credit Hours36

Emphasis Areas

Select one of the following:

High Ability Education (Gifted)

This program focuses on developing instruction for high ability (gifted) learners. Students (program completers) may choose to pursue a supplemental teaching endorsement in High Ability Education.  This endorsement requires a person to have, or earn concurrently, an endorsement in a subject or field.

High Ability Education (Gifted) - Non-Thesis2
CSP 800Advanced Educational Psychology3
TESE 816CPracticum in Gifted/Talented Education3
TESE 822PPsychology & Education of Gifted & Talented Learners3
TESE 823PGuiding the Social & Emotional Development of Gifted/Talented Learners3
TESE 824Identification, Assessment, & Evaluation of High Ability Learners3
TESE 825Curriculum Design & Development for High Ability Education3
TESE 826Program Design for High Ability Education3
Electives3
Total Credit Hours24
High Ability Education (Gifted) - Thesis2
TE 896Thesis 36
TESE 816CPracticum in Gifted/Talented Education3
TESE 822PPsychology & Education of Gifted & Talented Learners3
TESE 823PGuiding the Social & Emotional Development of Gifted/Talented Learners3
TESE 824Identification, Assessment, & Evaluation of High Ability Learners3
TESE 825Curriculum Design & Development for High Ability Education3
TESE 826Program Design for High Ability Education3
Total Credit Hours24

Advanced Practitioner

Advanced Practitioner - Behavior Intervention Specialist Emphasis4

This program focuses on developing programs and instruction related to behavioral intervention.  Students may choose to pursue a supplemental teaching endorsement as a Special Education Behavior Intervention Specialist.  This endorsement requires to have, or earn concurrently, an endorsement in special education OR if certified to teach in another area, take an additional 12 graduate hours of special education coursework.

Special Education Core
TESE 816DPracticum in Special Education (Practicum will concentrate in the area of emphasis chosen for electives.) 53
TESE 880Critical Issues in Special Education3
Behavior Intervention Specialist Emphasis
TESE 867Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Planning3
TESE 879PTeaching Social Skills to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder3
TESE 881Characteristics and Strategies for individuals with Emotional and Behavioral Health Disorders 3
TESE 882Applied Behavior Analysis3
TESE 883Intervention Strategies for Individuals with Behavioral & Emotional Disabilities3
TESE 888Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports3
Total Credit Hours24
 Advanced Practitioner - Inclusion and Collaboration Specialist Emphasis4

This program focuses on developing instructional programs fostering inclusive education practices through collaboration for students with disabilities.  Students (program completers) may choose to pursue a supplemental teaching endorsement as a Special Education Inclusion and Collaboration Specialist.  This endorsement requires a person to have, or earn concurrently, an endorsement in special education.

Special Education Core
TESE 816DPracticum in Special Education 53
TESE 880Critical Issues in Special Education3
Inclusion and Collaboration Specialist Emphasis
TESE 840Bilingual Special Education3
TESE 863Research-Based Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities3
TESE 867Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Planning3
TESE 881Characteristics and Strategies for individuals with Emotional and Behavioral Health Disorders 3
TESE 885Inclusion and Differentiation Strategies for the 21st Century Classroom3
TESE 886Co-Teaching & Collaborative Services3
Total Credit Hours24
 Advanced Practitioner - Assistive Technology Specialist Emphasis

This program focuses on developing effective assistive technology service delivery for persons with disabilities.  This program does not require teacher certification and does not lead to a Nebraska Endorsement.  Individuals may choose to pursue the Assistive Technology Practitioner credential through RESNA.

Special Education Core
TESE 816DPracticum in Special Education 53
TESE 880Critical Issues in Special Education3
Assistive Technology Specialist Emphasis
CDIS 840PAugmentative Alternative Communication3
TE 829Implementing Universal Design for Learning in School Settings3
TESE 885Inclusion and Differentiation Strategies for the 21st Century Classroom3
TESE 891Assistive Technology Assessment3
TESE 882Applied Behavior Analysis3
TESE 894Research in Assistive Technology3
Total Credit Hours24
Advanced Practitioner - Functional Academic Skills and Independent Living Specialist Emphasis

This program focuses on developing instructional programs focused on functional academic and independent living skills for students with disabilities.  Students (program completers) may choose to pursue a supplemental teaching endorsement as a Special Education Functional Academic Skills and Independent Living Specialist.  This endorsement requires a person to have, or earn concurrently, an endorsement in special education.

Special Education Core
TESE 816DPracticum in Special Education 53
TESE 880Critical Issues in Special Education3
Functional Academic Skills and Independent Living Specialist Emphasis
CDIS 840PAugmentative Alternative Communication3
TESE 872Strategies for Teaching Students with Intellectual Disabilities3
TESE 875PPreparing Adolescents for the Post-Secondary World3
TESE 879PTeaching Social Skills to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder3
TESE 882Applied Behavior Analysis3
TESE 885Inclusion and Differentiation Strategies for the 21st Century Classroom3
Total Credit Hours24

Special Education Generalist 6

This program focuses on developing the skills necessary for delivering high-quality K-6 or 7-12 special education instruction.  Students (program completers) may choose to pursue an additional teaching endorsement as a Special Education Generalist.  This endorsement requires a person to possess previous teaching certification.

Prerequisites
TESE 330Collaboration, Consultation, and Co-Teaching3
or TESE 830 Consult & Collaboration with Families & Agencies Serv Individuals with Disabilities
TESE 437Medical Aspects of Individuals with Disabilities3
or TESE 837P Medical Aspects of Individuals with Disabilities
Requirements
TESE 861Legal Issues in Special Education and IEP Development3
TESE 862Formal and Informal Assessment in Special Education3
TESE 863Research-Based Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities3
TESE 867Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Planning3
TESE 879PTeaching Social Skills to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder3
TESE 872Strategies for Teaching Students with Intellectual Disabilities3
TESE 875PPreparing Adolescents for the Post-Secondary World3
TESE 816DPracticum in Special Education 53
Total Credit Hours24
1

TE 805P is recommended.

2

Prerequisite - Introduction to Exceptionalities or equivalent completed at the undergraduate or graduate level.

3

Students always have the option of completing a thesis. Students will register for TE 896 for six credit hours based on the recommendation of their advisor. These six credit hours will be in lieu of the elective and CSP 800.

4

This emphasis area results in a NDE supplemental endorsement.

5

Practicum will concentrate in the area of emphasis chosen for electives.

6

Students also wishing to pursue an additional endorsement or initial certification should consult with an advisor.