Master of Arts in Special Education Course Requirements

The Department of Special Education course requirements for the Master of Arts degree.

Requirement:
Students must have an Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and a Culminating Experience (CE) petition submitted and approved the semester prior to the beginning of their culminating experience.

Coursework and Academic Requirements: (30 units)

I.  SFSU Written English Proficiency:  Level I and Level II Requirements:

Level I (entry): This requirement should be met upon admission. For further information on completing this requirement consult the Written English Proficiency Requirements (WEP).

Level II (exit): Met by Master’s Comprehensive Written Examination, or by Option II, III Culminating Experience.

II. Core Requirements: (9 units)

  • ISED 797 Seminar in Education Research (3);
  • SPED 788 Law, Ethics, and Instructional Planning (3); and
  • SPED 801 Development, Diversity, and ELL: Special Education (3) or
      SPED 779 Family Systems & Services for Young Disabled Children (3) or
      SPED 747 Physical Disabilities and Sensory impairments (3)
     

III. Special Education Courses: (12 units)

As required by program area and approved by graduate program advisor.

IV. Related Studies Courses: (3 units)

Selected on basis of professional goals, degree emphasis, and approved by graduate program advisor.

V. Culminating Experience: (6 units)

Review and select Options I, II or III as required by program area.
Note: Options II and III are by selection process only with an approved proposal (see program advisor).

Option I (6 units):

  • Two elective graduate seminars (6 units), which will reflect critical analysis of literature and application of research; and
    SPED 896EXM: Master’s Comprehensive Written Examination.

Note: One elective seminar must be outside of the student's credential program area; can include SPED 881: Advanced Research Seminar in Special Education

Option II (6 units):  

  • An elective graduate seminar (3 units), which will reflect critical analysis of literature and application of research; and
    SPED 894 Creative Work in Special Education (3 units).

Note: One elective seminar must be outside of the student's credential program area; can include SPED 881: Advanced Research Seminar in Special Education
 

Option III (6 units):

  • SPED 881: Advanced Research Seminar in Special Education (3 units); and
  • SPED 895: Field Study (3 units); or
  • SPED 898: Master’s Thesis (3 units) with Oral Defense of Thesis