Overview
Program Faculty Advisor: Jane Duckett · (858) 642-8346 · jduckett@nu.edu
Regional Lead Faculty Advisors:
Bakersfield: Maude Taylor · (661) 864-2385 · mtaylor@nu.edu
Costa Mesa: Lucinda Kramer · (714) 429-5132 · lkramer@nu.edu
Fresno: Ennio Cipani · (559) 256-4943 · ecipani@nu.edu
Los Angeles: KayDee Caywood · (310) 258-6672 · kcaywood@nu.edu
Sacramento: Denise Hexom · (209) 475-1448 · dhexom@nu.edu
San Bernardino: Blanche Cook · (909) 806-3346 · bcook@nu.edu
San Diego: Joan Sebastian · (858) 642-8137 · jsebasti@nu.edu
San Jose: Joy Kutaka-Kennedy · (650) 594-1334 · jkutakak@nu.edu
Stockton: Elizabeth Maloney · (209) 475-1448 · emaloney@nu.edu
DHH Lead Faculty Advisor: Colleen L. Smith · (858) 642-8322 · csmith2@nu.edu
The Master of Science in Special Education is designed for educators and other professionals who want to become knowledgeable about educational learning problems and teaching strategies to enhance student performance. To receive a Master of Science in Special Education, students must complete at least 64.5 quarter units of graduate work.
A total of 13.5 quarter units of graduate credit may be granted for equivalent graduate work completed at another institution, as it applies to this degree and if the units were not used in earning another advanced degree. Students enrolled in the joint degree credential program are not awarded the master's degree until they have completed all graduate and credential coursework, including student teaching. Course equivalence cannot be granted for life experience. Although many of the following courses are available online, EXC 630 and certain field experiences must be taken onsite.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the program:
- Students will demonstrate competence in the application of research methods, including critiquing and synthesizing current education literature.
- Students will demonstrate competence in the ability to apply research methods including technology for research.
- Students will demonstrate consultation and collaboration skills, including the ability to implement professional development at their sites in the area of special education.
- Students will advocate for exceptional individuals.
- Students will understand federal and state laws regarding exceptional individuals.
- Students will demonstrate competence in instructional design including adaptations required to assist special education learners achieve the state standards for curriculum.
- Students will demonstrate competence in positive behavior support.
- Students will demonstrate expertise in use of technology as evidenced by development of adaptive devices, videos, toys/manipulatives, and software.
- Student teachers will demonstrate the ability to actively engage and support all students in learning.
Program Objectives
Upon graduation, students will be expected to: - Demonstrate the competencies required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and National University, which will qualify them for the Education Specialist credential and an advanced degree.
- Understand the contemporary characteristics, issues, problems, and future directions associated with the delivery of services for students with disabilities.
- Acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them to effectively and creatively carry out their duties as teachers..
- Gain experience and understanding of research and writing processes appropriate to the field of special education.
- Gain experience and understanding of the multicultural issues in the society in which they and their students live, and to devise strategies and techniques for enhancing their students' educational programs.
- Develop an intellectual curiosity and human concern for the problems of individuals and groups, especially those who manifest special needs.
- Know the major sources of information, knowledge, an
Requirements
(17 courses; 64.5 quarter units)
Core Requirements
(9 courses; 37.5 quarter units)
Field experience courses must be taken at the beginning of the program and may be taken concurrently with other courses.
EXC 602A Field Experience: Special Education (3 quarter units)
EXC 602B Field Experience: Inclusive Settings (3 quarter units)
EXC 604 Exceptionality and Diversity in the Classroom
ILD 625 Educational Research
TED 611 Educational Psychology
TED 621A Language Development Methods for the Elementary School
(Prerequisite: Master's only students are exempt from TED 615)
or
TED 623 Language Development Methods for Secondary and Middle Schools
(Prerequisite: Master's only students are exempt from TED 615)
EXC 620 Positive Behavior Support
EXC 630 Assessment and Instructional Planning for Special-Needs Students (one night per week over two months)
EXC 650 Collaboration and Consultation for Special Education
Generic Core Exam
Advanced Specialist Requirements
(7 courses; 22.5 quarter units)
EXC 644 Reading and Language Arts Methods for Special Education (one night per week over two months)
EXC 644A Field Study: Reading and Language Arts Methods for Special Education (1.5 quarter unit)
EXC 660 Instruction of Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities
EXC 660A Field Study: Instruction of Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (1.5 quarter unit)
or
EXC 665 Instruction of Learners with Moderate/Severe Disabilities
EXC 665A Field Study: Instruction of Learners with Moderate/Severe Disabilities (1.5 quarter unit)
plus
EXC 615 Technology for Persons with Disabilities
EXC 615A Field Study: Technology for Persons with Disabilities
(1.5 quarter unit)
EXC 694 Thesis
(Prerequisite: ILD 625 and successful completion of an undergraduate or graduate statistics course. Students must have written permission of lead faculty to enroll in the course.)
or
EXC 637 Action Research
(Prerequisite: ILD 625)
Students seeking the Preliminary Level I Education Specialist: Mild/Moderate Disabilities credential must take:
EXC 603A Student Teaching Seminar (1.5 quarter units)
EXC 685A Student Teaching – Mild/Moderate Disabilities
EXC 685B Student Teaching – Mild/Moderate Disabilities
Students seeking the Preliminary Level I Education Specialist: Moderate/Severe Disabilities credential must take:
EXC 603A Student Teaching Seminar (1.5 quarter units)
EXC 690A Student Teaching – Moderate/Severe Disabilities
EXC 690B Student Teaching – Moderate/Severe Disabilities
EXC 685A, EXC 685B, EXC 690A, and EXC 690B do not fulfill elective requirements.
Exit Exam
(Note: students register for two months for the research courses; but individual projects may take 6-12 months.)
Program Elective
(1 course; 4.5 quarter units)
To complete the Special Education degree program, students can select one elective from the School of Education (SOE) graduate course offerings approved by the Special Education faculty. Students who plan to teach at the secondary level are encouraged to take TED 624.