Program Description

The Master of Arts degree in Special Education is an advanced academic degree. One of the following Added Authorizations is included within the degree: Adapted Physical Education (APE), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), Emotional Disturbance (ED), Other Health Impairment (OHI), Orthopedic Impairment (OI), and/or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). A total of 36 semester units are required for the degree. The curriculum provides a deeper specialization in contemporary issues in the field of special education.

Program Learning Outcomes

The program learning outcomes for the M.A. in Special Education are built on and related to the School of Education outcomes that are symbolized in three themes: equip, transform, and empower. The M.A. in the Special Education program then applies these major themes to this program.

Candidates who complete the Master of Arts in Special Education program will be able to:

Equip

• Promote the success of all students by being a servant leader that serves collaboratively and effectively with professional excellence, honesty, integrity, and sensitivity.

Transform

• Engage in ways of thinking and being to embrace the positive power of diversity and advocacy for universal social justice within the classrooms, schools, districts, and communities.
• Apply faith-based influences and beliefs within educational organizations.

Empower

• Reflect and engage in on-going scholarly, professional, and spiritual growth.
• Serve as research-based transformational leaders within their classrooms, schools, districts, and communities.

Program Eligibility to the Master of Arts in Special Education

• Education and Grade-Point Average:  Candidates must have completed a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university. A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.000 is required to be admitted into the Master of Arts in Special Education or a stand-alone credential or added authorization housed within the M.A. in Special Education degree program. Candidates with a cumulative grade point average less than 3.000 may apply for “Admission under Exception;”
• Two or more letters of recommendation from appropriate persons who have the knowledge of the applicant’s character and ability to work with children or youth. (References from friends or relatives are not appropriate.);
• An interview with the appropriate program director or Admissions chair at a branch campus.

Applicants who do not meet the above standards but can demonstrate that they have an exceptionally rich experiential background and/or have demonstrated dramatic change in academic performance may petition the School of Education to review their status.

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Core Courses
GED 6022	Advanced Special Education Assessment and Analysis of Behavior	3
GED 6029	Using Technology to Enhance Teaching and Learning	3
GED 6041	Culturally Inclusive Environments: Instruction and Advocacy	3
GED 6050	Universal Access: Equity for All Students	3
GED 6056	Shared Leadership, Legislation, and Due Process	2
GED 6072	Philosophy in Education	3
GED 6081	Educational Measurement and Evaluation	3
GED 6096	Advanced Research-Based Literacy Instruction for All Students	3
GED 6097	Advanced Literacy Assessment, Instruction, and Intervention for All Students	3
Choose one (1) course from the following:		4
APE 6057	Adapted Physical Education Methods and Inclusive Strategies 1
SPE 6051	Methods of Teaching Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
SPE 6053	Methods of Teaching Students with Traumatic Brain Injury
SPE 6054	Methods of Teaching Students with Other Health Impairments
SPE 6060	Methods of Teaching Students with Orthopedic Impairments
SPE 6061	Early Childhood Special Education Curriculum and Services
Finishing Courses
GED 6094	Action Research and Capstone	3
GED 6095	Capstone Project and Presentation	3
Total Units		36

¹

APE 6057 requires additional fieldwork units.

Added Authorizations in Special Education

Graduation Requirements

In order to earn and receive a Master of Arts in Special Education degree, a student must satisfy all of the following:

1. A completed Application for Degree Candidacy (online or in the Records Office, Point Loma campus);
2. Satisfactory completion of the prescribed course of study with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.000 or higher and no grade lower than a C in any course;
3. Completion of the approved graduate program consisting of a minimum of 36 units;
4. Recommendation from the credential analyst and director of the Regional Center;
5. Payment in full of all tuition, fees, and other financial obligations owed to the university, including a degree processing fee; and
6. All requirements for graduate degrees must be completed within an eight (8)-year period from the time of initial enrollment in the program.

The Master of Arts in Special Education builds on the foundation of the Preliminary Education Specialist credential and the Council for Exceptional Children’s Professional Standards. Candidates develop advanced level knowledge, skills, and dispositions aligned with professional standards and directly apply research-based theory and “best practices” as they teach students with special needs in their own classrooms.

Up to six (6) units of post-baccalaureate coursework aligned with the course of study below may be transferred from other institutions toward this degree. Candidates seeking transfer credit should make this request during the first semester of enrollment. Candidates who completed their preliminary Education Specialist, Mild/Moderate credentials through PLNU may apply up to 12 units of this coursework toward the MA in Special Education. Candidates who completed their preliminary Education Specialist, Moderate/Severe credentials through PLNU may apply up to 12 units of this coursework toward the MA in Special Education. Candidates who completed both their preliminary Education Specialist, Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe credentials through PLNU may apply up to 15 units of this coursework toward the MA in Special Education.