Special Education, M.Ed.
The M.Ed. program in special education is designed for certified teachers who are seeking certification in special education. The program includes 150 hours of practicum experience.
Students must pass a comprehensive examination in the area of specialization.
Note: The M.Ed. program is not designed for initial teacher certification. Students wishing to use the M.Ed. program to add certification in an area of special education to their existing teaching certificates must meet requirements as mandated by the S.C. Department of Education. Further information may be obtained from the S.C. Department of Education or from the College of Education’s Office of Students Affairs.
Learning Outcomes
- Advanced level special education professionals understand how exceptionalities may interact with development and learning and use this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences for individuals with exceptionalities that promote quality of life for all students with disabilities.
- Advanced level special education professionals create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners and develop emotional wellbeing, positive social interactions, and self-determination by selecting, adapting, and using a variety of instructional strategies that promote positive learning results.
- Advanced level special education professionals use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for individuals with exceptionalities by understanding the similarities and differences in human development and the characteristics between and among individuals with and without exceptional learning needs.
- Advanced level special education professionals use multiple methods of formal and informal assessment and data-sources in making educational decisions that support the growth and development of individuals with exceptional learning needs.
- Advanced level special education professionals select, adapt, and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning of individuals with exceptionalities by emphasizing the development, maintenance, and generalization of knowledge and skills across environments, settings, and the lifespan.
- Advanced level special education professionals use foundational knowledge of the field and their professional Ethical Principles and Practice Standards to inform special education practice, to engage in lifelong learning, and to advance the profession that benefits individuals with exceptional learning needs, their families, colleagues, and their own professional growth.
- Advanced level special education professionals collaborate with families, other educators, related service providers, individuals with exceptionalities, and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a range of learning experiences to assure that the needs of individuals with exceptional learning needs are addressed through schooling.
Admission
To be considered for admission all of the following materials must be on file in The Graduate School, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208.
- transcripts of all college and university credits
- two letters of recommendation from former professors or work supervisors in the field of education
- a completed graduate school application
- a letter of intent for proposed study in special education
- evidence of initial certification
Upon verification of the above requirements, the applicant will interview with the Programs in Special Education Committee. Acceptance by The Graduate School and the programs in special education is based on the evaluation of the applicant’s total academic profile by admissions committee members.
Degree Requirements (33 Hours)
Prerequisite Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDEX 523 | Introduction to Exceptional Children | 3 |
| EDPY 705 | Human Growth and Development (additional prerequisite for Early Childhood Special Education only) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
Note: EDEX 523 and EDPY 705 do not count toward the 33 hours required for the M.Ed. degree.
Professional Core Requirements (12 Hours)
Required for all concentrations
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDEX 580 | Direct Instruction in Reading for At-Risk Learners | 3 |
| EDEX 715 | Applied Behavior Analysis in Special Education | 3 |
| EDEX 716 | Functional Behavioral Assessment and Behavior Interventions | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Practicum in Instruction of Exceptional Children II: C (Multicategorical) | ||
| Practicum in Instruction of Exceptional Children II: S (Severe/Multiple) | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
Specialization Area Requirements (21 Hours for each concentration)
A. Multi‐Categorical Disabilities (21 Hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDEX 582 | Teaching Mathematics to Students at Risk | 3 |
| EDEX 640 | Managing Problem Behavior in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDEX 670 | Nature of Students with Multi-categorical Disabilities | 3 |
| EDEX 671 | Instruction of Students with Multi-categorical Disabilities | 3 |
| EDEX 691 | Collaborative Partnerships in PK-12 Special Education | 3 |
| EDEX 790 | Introduction to Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| EDEX 891 | Advanced Educational Procedures for Exceptional Children | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 21 | |
B. Severe and Multiple Disabilities (21 Hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDEX 610 | Instruction of Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities | 3 |
| EDEX 615 | Curriculum and Language Instruction for Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities | 3 |
| EDEX 619 | Nature of Students with Intellectual Disabilities | 3 |
| EDEX 640 | Managing Problem Behavior in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDEX 701 | Nature of Students with Autism | 3 |
| EDEX 790 | Introduction to Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| EDEX 809 | Single-Case Research Designs in Special Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 21 | |