Master of Science in Special Education
Upon offer of admission, the following will be required: Successful passage of FBI criminal background check
Admission Requirements for the M.S.
The Master of Science (M.S.) is for those who already have a degree in education. The M.S. will have a research to practice focus.
- A bachelor’s degree.
-
A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.75 for all undergraduate work (based on A = 4.00).
-
Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies’ English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the graduate catalog.
Admission Process
- Complete the School of Graduate Studies' online application.
- Submit the application fee of $35.
- Three Letters of Recommendation are required: one from an employment supervisor or administrator, one from a professional colleague or university professor, and one from a professional of your choosing.
- Request one official copy of all academic transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attempted credit at, including undergraduate and graduate course work.
- One Personal Statement, which will include the questions listed below specific to special education, will be required on the master's application.
Personal Statement
The length of each response should be 1-2 pages double-spaced. The personal statement is scored for depth of discussion, authenticity, organization, and mechanics.
Respond to the four questions below:
- Explain how your experiences/interests reflect your capacity for the specialization area you are applying for specifically (i.e., ASD, BIS, EBD, ECSE, General, ID, LD, SES, and VI).
- Identify a behavioral or learning need with an individual with whom you know professionally or personally and describe your approach to managing the individual's specific need.
- Graduate school may be challenging due to competing demands for your time. Please address how you will navigate these challenges by utilizing your strengths.
- In this master’s program, you will receive constructive feedback to develop and/or enhance your skills. Explain how you have perceived and managed this type of feedback in your past experiences.
Specialization Areas
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): The ABA specialization area includes coursework and an intensive practicum that focuses on concepts and principles, assessment and behavior change systems, methods and applications, ethics, and research methods. This specialization is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): The ASD specialization area focuses on children, adolescents, and adults with ASD and addresses several aspects of ASD including characteristics, assessment, methods/strategies, inter-agency collaboration/support, and application in a field setting.
- Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS): The BIS specialization prepares educators to support children and adolescents who use behaviors that interfere with instruction and social-emotional development. This specialization provides training and experience in assessment and treatment of challenging behaviors and facilitation of interdisciplinary and stakeholder teaming to support individual children and their caregivers.
- Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE): The ECSE specialization area focuses on children from birth to age eight and addresses various disabilities, primarily developmental in nature, and addresses several aspects of ECSE including characteristics, assessment, methods/strategies, all forms of development, (e.g., language, physical), and application in a field setting.
- Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD): The EBD specialization area focuses on children and adolescents with both emotional and behavior disorders and addresses several aspects of EBD including characteristics, assessment, behavior and academic methods/strategies, and application in a field setting.
- General Special Education: The general specialization area is a “design your own program” option. Students can choose courses from all of the courses offered by the special education program.
- Intellectual Disabilities (ID): The ID specialization area focuses on children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities and addresses several aspects of ID including characteristics, assessment, methods/strategies, and application in a field setting.
- Learning Disabilities (LD): The LD specialization area focuses on children and adolescents with learning problems that are not due to developmental, emotional, or cognitive disabilities and addresses several aspects of LD including characteristics, assessment, methods/strategies, and application in a field setting.
- Special Education Strategist (SES): The SES specialization area is a cross-categorical area that encompasses all of the courses in the specialization areas of ID, EBD, and LD.
- Visual Impairment (VI): The VI specialization area focuses on children and adolescents who are visually impaired or blind and addresses several aspects of VI including characteristics, assessment, braille code, methods/strategies, orientation/mobility, and application in a field setting.
Degree Requirements
Students seeking the Master of Science degree at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Special Education Program.
- A minimum of 30 credits at or above the 500 level is required for the degree. Additional credits may be needed for professional licensure.
- A maximum of one-fourth of the credit hours may be transferred from another institution.
- Two credits of SPED 995 Scholarly Project or four credits of T&L 998 Thesis.
- Nine credits of Special Education Core Coursework (excluding students in the ABA specialization).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPED 525 | Legal/Ethical Aspects in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 578 | Behavior Management | 3 |
| Select 1 of the Following: | ||
| SPED 500 | Introduction to Visual Impairment | 3 |
| SPED 510 | Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 552 | Inclusive Methods | 3 |
Six credits of scholarly tools/assessment courses. Choose two of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPED 511 | Identification and Assessment of Young Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| SPED 551 | Advanced Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 557 | Progress Monitoring | 3 |
| SPED 567 | Assessment in Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| SPED 590 | Special Topics in Special Education | 1-4 |
Choose one or more specialization area/s and complete the required courses and elective courses for a minimum total of 30 credits for the M.S. degree:
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ABA 540 | Concepts and Principles in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 541 | Methods and Applications in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 542 | Ethical and Professional Conduct for Behavior Analysts | 3 |
| ABA 543 | Behavior Analytic Supervision and OBM | 3 |
| ABA 544 | Research Methods in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 545 | Assessment and Behavior Change Systems | 4 |
| ABA 546 | Philosophical Underpinnings of Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| Elective Courses: Choose additional courses in the Special Education Program Area to equal a minimum of 30 credits. | ||
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SPED 560 | ASD: Foundations and Brain Based Differences | 3 |
| SPED 561 | Methods for Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| SPED 567 | Assessment in Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| SPED 583 | Internship: Autism Spectrum Disorder | 1-6 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select from the following: | ||
| SPED 562 | Autism Spectrum Disorder: Supports Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| SPED 563 | Autism Spectrum Disorder: Medical Issues and Trends | 3 |
| SPED 564 | ASD: Structured Teaching | 3 |
| SPED 565 | ASD: Level 1 Supports and Foundations | 3 |
| SPED 566 | Autism Spectrum Disorder: Intensive Early Intervention | 3 |
Elective Courses: Choose additional courses in the Special Education Program Area to equal a minimum of 30 credits. Additional credits may be required for your state's teacher licensure requirements.
If seeking teacher certification in a state other than North Dakota, refer to that state’s requirements.
Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ABA 540 | Concepts and Principles in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 541 | Methods and Applications in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 542 | Ethical and Professional Conduct for Behavior Analysts | 3 |
| ABA 545 | Assessment and Behavior Change Systems | 4 |
| SPED 579 | Internship: Behavioral Intervention Specialist | 1-6 |
Elective Courses: Choose additional courses in the Special Education Program Area to equal a minimum of 30 credits. Additional credits may be required for your state's teacher licensure requirements.
If seeking special education endorsement in BIS in North Dakota, confer with your advisor regarding these requirements. If seeking teacher certification in a state other than North Dakota, refer to that state’s requirements.
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SPED 510 | Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 511 | Identification and Assessment of Young Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| SPED 512 | Methods and Materials for Preschool Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| SPED 589 | Internship: Early Childhood Special Education | 1-4 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select from the following: | ||
| SPED 514 | Intervention Strategies with Infants and Toddlers | 3 |
| SPED 521 | IEP and the Transition Process | 3 |
| SPED 516 | Collaborative Authentic Assessment in Early Intervention | 3 |
| SPED 528 | Advanced Assistive Technology | 3 |
| SPED 557 | Progress Monitoring | 3 |
| SPED 566 | Autism Spectrum Disorder: Intensive Early Intervention | 3 |
| SPED 590 | Special Topics in Special Education (Early Childhood Mental Health) | 3 |
| T&L 529 | Language Development Cognition in Children | 3 |
| T&L 553 | Collaborative Relationships: Home, School and Community | 3 |
Elective Courses: Choose additional courses in the Special Education Program Area to equal a minimum of 30 credits. Additional credits may be required for your state's teacher licensure requirements.
If seeking special education endorsement in ECSE in North Dakota, confer with your advisor regarding these requirements. If seeking teacher certification in a state other than North Dakota, refer to that state’s requirements.
Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SPED 521 | IEP and the Transition Process | 3 |
| SPED 551 | Advanced Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 550 | Foundations of Special Education with Emphasis in ASD, EBD, ID, and LD | 3 |
| SPED 555 | Advanced Methods: Emotional Behavioral Disorders | 3 |
| SPED 557 | Progress Monitoring | 3 |
| SPED 586 | Internship: Emotional Behavioral Disorders | 1-6 |
Elective Courses: Choose additional courses in the Special Education Program Area to equal a minimum of 30 credits. Additional credits may be required for your state's teacher licensure requirements.
If seeking special education endorsement in EBD in North Dakota, confer with your advisor regarding these requirements. If seeking teacher certification in a state other than North Dakota, refer to that state’s requirements.
General Special Education
Note that there are no additional required courses. A minimum of 19 credits can be selected from the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ABA 540 | Concepts and Principles in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| SPED 501 | Diseases and Function of the Eye | 2 |
| SPED 503 | Orientation and Mobility/Visual Impairment | 2 |
| SPED 505 | Low Vision Assessment and Remediation | 3 |
| SPED 510 | Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 511 | Identification and Assessment of Young Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| SPED 512 | Methods and Materials for Preschool Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| SPED 514 | Intervention Strategies with Infants and Toddlers | 3 |
| SPED 516 | Collaborative Authentic Assessment in Early Intervention | 3 |
| SPED 521 | IEP and the Transition Process | 3 |
| SPED 528 | Advanced Assistive Technology | 3 |
| SPED 532 | Visual Impairment/Early Intervention | 3 |
| SPED 550 | Foundations of Special Education with Emphasis in ASD, EBD, ID, and LD | 3 |
| SPED 551 | Advanced Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 554 | Advanced Methods: Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 555 | Advanced Methods: Emotional Behavioral Disorders | 3 |
| SPED 556 | Advanced Methods: Intellectual Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 557 | Progress Monitoring | 3 |
| SPED 560 | ASD: Foundations and Brain Based Differences | 3 |
| SPED 561 | Methods for Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| SPED 562 | Autism Spectrum Disorder: Supports Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| SPED 563 | Autism Spectrum Disorder: Medical Issues and Trends | 3 |
| SPED 564 | ASD: Structured Teaching | 3 |
| SPED 565 | ASD: Level 1 Supports and Foundations | 3 |
| SPED 566 | Autism Spectrum Disorder: Intensive Early Intervention | 3 |
| SPED 567 | Assessment in Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| SPED 580 | Practicum: Special Education | 1-6 |
| SPED 581 | Internship: General Special Education | 1-6 |
| SPED 590 | Special Topics in Special Education (Early Childhood Mental Health) | 3 |
| T&L 553 | Collaborative Relationships: Home, School and Community | 3 |
Choose courses in the Special Education Program Area to equal a minimum of 30 credits. Additional credits may be required for your state's teacher licensure requirements.
Confer with your advisor regarding these requirements. If seeking teacher certification in a state other than North Dakota, refer to that state's requirements.
Intellectual Disabilities (ID)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SPED 521 | IEP and the Transition Process | 3 |
| SPED 550 | Foundations of Special Education with Emphasis in ASD, EBD, ID, and LD | 3 |
| SPED 551 | Advanced Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 556 | Advanced Methods: Intellectual Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 557 | Progress Monitoring | 3 |
| SPED 587 | Internship: Intellectual Disabilities | 1-6 |
Elective Courses: Choose additional courses in the Special Education Program Area to equal a minimum of 30 credits. Additional credits may be required for your state's teacher licensure requirements.
If seeking special education endorsement in ID in North Dakota, confer with your advisor regarding these requirements. If seeking teacher certification in a state other than North Dakota, refer to that state’s requirements.
Learning Disabilities (LD)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SPED 521 | IEP and the Transition Process | 3 |
| SPED 550 | Foundations of Special Education with Emphasis in ASD, EBD, ID, and LD | 3 |
| SPED 551 | Advanced Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 554 | Advanced Methods: Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 557 | Progress Monitoring | 3 |
| SPED 588 | Internship: Learning Disabilities | 1-6 |
Elective Courses: Choose additional courses in the Special Education Program Area to equal a minimum of 30 credits. Additional credits may be required for your state's teacher licensure requirements.
If seeking special education endorsement in LD in North Dakota, confer with your advisor regarding these requirements. If seeking teacher certification in a state other than North Dakota, refer to that state’s requirements.
Special Education Strategist (SES)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SPED 521 | IEP and the Transition Process | 3 |
| SPED 551 | Advanced Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 550 | Foundations of Special Education with Emphasis in ASD, EBD, ID, and LD | 3 |
| SPED 554 | Advanced Methods: Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 555 | Advanced Methods: Emotional Behavioral Disorders | 3 |
| SPED 556 | Advanced Methods: Intellectual Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 557 | Progress Monitoring | 3 |
| SPED 586 | Internship: Emotional Behavioral Disorders | 1-6 |
| SPED 587 | Internship: Intellectual Disabilities | 1-6 |
| SPED 588 | Internship: Learning Disabilities | 1-6 |
Elective Courses: Choose additional courses in the Special Education Program Area to equal a minimum of 30 credits. Additional credits may be required for your state's teacher licensure requirements.
If seeking special education endorsement in SES in North Dakota, confer with your advisor regarding these requirements. If seeking teacher certification in a state other than North Dakota, refer to that state’s requirements.
Visual Impairment (VI)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SPED 500 | Introduction to Visual Impairment | 3 |
| SPED 502 | Braille Reading and Writing | 2 |
| SPED 505 | Low Vision Assessment and Remediation | 3 |
| SPED 585 | Internship: Visual Impairment | 1-6 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select six courses of the following: | ||
| SPED 501 | Diseases and Function of the Eye | 2 |
| SPED 503 | Orientation and Mobility/Visual Impairment | 2 |
| SPED 504 | Communication Media and Methods/Visual Impairment | 3 |
| SPED 521 | IEP and the Transition Process | 3 |
| SPED 528 | Advanced Assistive Technology | 3 |
| SPED 530 | Braille Code 1 | 2 |
| SPED 531 | Braille Code 2 | 2 |
| SPED 532 | Visual Impairment/Early Intervention | 3 |
| SPED 552 | Inclusive Methods | 3 |
| SPED 557 | Progress Monitoring | 3 |
| T&L 553 | Collaborative Relationships: Home, School and Community | 3 |
If seeking special education endorsement in VI in North Dakota, confer with your advisor regarding these requirements. If seeking teacher certification in a state other than North Dakota, refer to that state’s requirements.