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SPECMA - Special Education

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Disability & Psychoed StudiesGraduate Degree SeekingMA - Master of Arts
Completion requirement

Minimum Credit Units

36 

Core Coursework Requirements

Prerequisites:
1. BA from an accredited institution
2. Experience with and access to persons with disabilities
3. Must not be seeking state certification as a special education teacher

Program students must complete these 12 3-unit courses:

SERP 500 (or equivalent) - Foundations of Special Education and Rehabilitation (3 units)
Provides beginning graduate students with an overview of issues surrounding the fields of special education and rehabilitation, including legal principles, concepts of assessment; and principles of teaching and counseling. Students will examine and develop their personal philosophies regarding assessment of, services to and intervention with individuals with exceptionalities.

SERP 502 - Behavior Principles and Disability:  Assessment and Intervention (3 units)
Grounds participants in the basic behavioral principles and techniques needed to successfully complete effective Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), function-based interventions, and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP).  Participants complete an FBA, develop an intervention based on the results, and design a BIP.

SERP 503 - Special Services in the Schools (3 units)
Information to aid teachers in dealing with responsibilities and concerns in school settings with regard to P.L. 94-142. Education for All Handicapped Children Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, and other legal issues.

SERP 504 - Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Exceptional Learners (3 units)
Provides a theoretical base and practical approach to the study of special needs of students with language and cultural differences; basic premises of bilingual special education and the interface of the two fields.

SERP 529A - Advanced Positive Behavioral Support I (3 units)
Addresses environmental factors that affect student behavior and continues to develop competency in FBAs, function-based interventions, and effective BIPs.  Participants complete a second FBA, develop and test a function-based intervention, complete a BIP, implement and monitor the intervention, and make data-based decisions about whether to continue or revise the intervention based on their data.

SERP 529B - Advanced Positive Behavioral Support II (3 units)
Addresses other factors that can affect development and implementation of interventions such as legal issues, crisis intervention, and teaming and collaboration issues.  Participants complete two FBAs and develop and monitor two function-based interventions and BIPs.  A certificate identifying skills learned is awarded at the end of the three course sequence.

SERP 552 - Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis (3 units)
Addresses advanced skills and knowledge in applied behavior analysis and the factors that affect the application of behavior principles within school settings. Topics examined include reinforcement, punishment, extinction, stimulus control, self-management, verbal behavior, and functional analysis.

SERP 553 - Ethical Issues in Behavior Analysis (3 units)
Enables students to explain the need for ethical guidelines, identify appropriate ethical standards and guidelines of behavior analysis and their own profession, if different, and apply the ethical guidelines to real-life situations.

SERP 555 - Applied Behavior Analysis: Personnel Supervision and Management (3 units)
Basic concepts essential in applying applied behavior analysis in personnel supervision and management of employees, parents, and other professionals.

SERP 556 - Research Methods in Education (3 units)
Basic concepts essential to the comprehension of research in education, including measurement principles and descriptive statistics.

SERP 590 - Single Subject Research Design (3 units)
Addresses the advantages and disadvantages of various research designs and how to select a research design appropriate to a given scenario. Participants learn to critically evaluate professional research that incorporates single subject research designs, create data graphs, and develop a comprehensive research proposal.

SERP 909 - Master’s Project (3 units)
An original applied project in an area of behavior analysis. Projects are supervised by individual faculty and are conducted in lieu of a master’s thesis.

 

Elective Coursework

N/A

 

Additional Requirements

N/A

 

Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

Completion requirement

Minimum Credit Units

36 

Core Coursework Requirements

DHH Core Courses

Minimum grade required for all courses is a "B."

SERP 534 Language Development for the Exceptional Child (3 units)
SERP 530 Educational Issues: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children (3 units)
SERP 567* Audiology Practices in Education (3 units)
SERP 538 Assessment and Development of Language in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (3 units)
SERP 537 Assessment and Development of Literacy in Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children (3 units)
SERP 532 Principles of Listening and Spoken Language in Hard-of-Hearing or Deaf Students (3 units)
SERP 597N* Issues in DHH: Supporting DHH Students in Public Schools (3 units)

Additional Courses for MA Students and AZ Certification
In addition to program core courses, the following courses are required for the MA degree.
SERP 502 Behavior Principles and Disability: Assessment and Intervention (3 units)
SERP 503 Special Services in the Schools (3 units)
SERP 504 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Exceptional Learners (3 units)
SERP 556 Educational Research Methods (3 units)
LCEV 508 Methods of Teaching English to English Language Learners (3 units)

 

Elective Coursework

SERP 529A Advanced Positive Behavioral Support (3 units)
SERP 529B Advanced Positive Behavioral Support (3 units)
SERP 509 Foundations of High Incidence Disabilities (3 units)
SERP 521 Introduction to Visual Impairments and Deaf-Blindness (3 units)
SERP 564 Introduction to Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder (3 units)

 

Additional Requirements

Language and Literacy Practicum (3 units)
Capstone Internship (8 units; full time student teaching)
Audiology Practicum (1 unit)
Master's Report/Comprehensive Exam (1 unit)

Applicants without a background in education will need to take an additional Education Methods Practicum (3 units).

 

Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

Completion requirement

Minimum Credit Units

36 

Core Coursework Requirements

Core Coursework
SERP 500: Introduction to Special Education (3)
SERP 502: Behavior Principles and Disability (3)
SERP 503: Special Education Law and Policy (3)
SERP 504: Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Special Education (3)
SERP 556: Research Methods in Education (3)
SERP 593: Internship (9 units)

Specialization Coursework
SERP 507a: Academic Assessment: Mild-Moderate Disabilities (3)
SERP 511a: Basic Academic Skills for Mild-Moderate Disabilities (3)
SERP 534: Language Development for the Exceptional Child (3)
SERP 597E: Consultation and Collaboration in Special Education (3)

 (*Note: You and your advisor will plan the order in which you take courses, any additional required or optional coursework, and the length of your program.)

 

Elective Coursework

You and your advisor will plan the order in which you take courses, any additional required or optional coursework, and the length of your program.

 

Additional Requirements

Students must complete a thesis, master's report, or comprehensive examination, per the Graduate College's policy.

 

Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

Completion requirement

Minimum Credit Units

36 

Core Coursework Requirements

  • Core Coursework

    • SERP 500: Introduction to Special Education

    • SERP 502: Behavior Principles and Disability

    • SERP 503: Special Education Law and Policy

    • SERP 504: Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Special Education

    • SERP 556: Research Methods in Education

  • Specialization Coursework

    • SERP 513: Assessing & Educating Students with Intellectual & Severe Disabilities

    • SERP 515: Assessment & Instruction: Learners with Low Incidence Disabilities

    • SERP 518: Aug. Comm. For Learners with Severe & Multiple Disabilities

    • SERP 521: Introduction to Visual Impairments & Deaf-Blindness

    • SERP 564: Introduction to Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders

    • SERP 575: Observation & Participation in Special Education Programs

    • SERP 593: Internship (Supervised Teaching in Southern Arizona School Districts)

    • SERP 597E: Consultation and Collaboration in Special Education

  • Certification Requirements (Required for Graduates to Apply for Teacher Certification)

    • A course in Arizona and US Constitution (Previously taken as an undergraduate or taken as a graduate student at another institution; not available through
      UA graduate programs)

    • A course in Structured English Immersion (Previously taken as an undergraduate or taken as a graduate student; available through UA graduate programs)

    • Obtaining an Arizona IVP Fingerprint Card. Prior to working with minors in schools for coursework and student teaching, students must obtain an IVP Fingerprint Card

    • Passing score on the appropriate Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment. For this program, that test would be the Assessment of Professional Knowledge, Elementary. Graduate students are not required to pass the Subject Knowledge exam to apply for certification.

(*Note: You and your advisor will plan the order in which you take courses, any additional required or optional coursework, and the length of your program.)

 

Elective Coursework

Elective coursework is not required, but is available to students wishing to take electives on an individual basis.

 

Additional Requirements

Students must complete a thesis, master's report, or comprehensive examination, per the Graduate College's policy.

 

Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

Completion requirement

Minimum Credit Units

36 

Core Coursework Requirements

Degree Requirements

The Special Education AMP requires 36 units to graduate with the Special Education Master’s Degree. Completion of the student teaching requirement and some additional units are required to receive recommendation for an Arizona Department of Education Teaching Certificate in the area of specialization.

Core Course Requirements

SERP 502         Behavior Principles and Disability

SERP 504         Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Exceptional Learners

SERP 556         Research Methods in Education

SERP 593         Student Teaching

Specialization Requirements

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialization

SERP 530         Educational Issues: Deaf and Hard of Hearing

SERP 532         Principles of Listening & Spoken Language

SERP 534         Language Development for the Exceptional Child

SERP 537         Language and Literacy

SERP 538         Assessment/Development: Listening & Spoken Language

SERP 567         Audiology Practices in Education

SERP 594         Practicum

SERP 597N      Collaboration & Consultation

SERP 599         Independent Study

Severe and Multiple Disabilities Specialization

SERP 513         Assessing and Educating Students with Intellectual & Severe Disabilities

SERP 515         Assessment & Instruction: Low Incidence Disabilities

SERP 518         Augmentative Communication for Learners with Severe Disabilities

SERP 521         Introduction to Visual Impairments and Deaf-Blindness

SERP 564         Introduction to Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders

SERP 591         Preceptorship

Visual Impairment Specialization

SERP 515         Assessment & Instruction: Learners with Low Incidence Disabilities

SERP 520         Low Vision and Visual Functioning

SERP 519B       Assistive Technology for People with Visual Impairments

SERP 521         Introduction to Visual Impairments and Deaf-Blindness

SERP 523A       Braille I

SERP 523B       Braille II

SERP 522         Orientation & Mobility for Teachers of Individuals with Visual Impairments

SERP 524         Methods of Teaching the Visually Impaired

 

Elective Coursework

This degree requires no electives.

 

Additional Requirements

Students must complete a thesis, master's report, or comprehensive examination, per the Graduate College's policy.

 

Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

Completion requirement

Minimum Credit Units

36 

Core Coursework Requirements

The Special Education VISP requires a minimum of 36 units to graduate with the Special Education Master’s Degree. Completion of the student teaching requirement and some additional units are required to receive recommendation for an Arizona Department of Education Teaching Certificate in the area of specialization.

Core Course Requirements

SERP 503        Special Services in the Schools

SERP 504        Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Exceptional Learners

SERP 556        Research Methods in Education

SERP 593        Student Teaching

Specialization Requirements

SERP 515        Assessment & Instruction: Learners with Low Incidence Disabilities

SERP 520        Low Vision and Visual Functioning

SERP 519B     Assistive Technology for People with Visual Impairments

SERP 521        Introduction to Visual Impairments and Deaf-Blindness

SERP 523A     Braille I

SERP 523B     Braille II

SERP 522        Orientation & Mobility for Teachers of Individuals with Visual Impairments

SERP 524        Methods of Teaching the Visually Impaired

SERP 593 (8 units) Internship

 

Elective Coursework

Electives and SEI Requirements

  • LRC 516 or LCEV 508: Foundations of Structured English Immersion

  • LRC 505 or an equivalent course in reading 

SERP 500 Survey of Exceptionality (if not taken previously)

 

Additional Requirements

There may be funding specific requirement. Please consult with your academic advisor for additional courses and requirement.

 

Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

Completion requirement

This program has multiple subplans; see below for specific requirements for each subplan.