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