Introduction

The MA in Special Education with added Special Education Generalist endorsement is designed for currently licensed teachers seeking career advancement and the expertise needed to work effectively with students with special needs and from diverse backgrounds. The program is fully accredited by the Colorado Department of Education and the Council for Exceptional Children.

Recommendations for endorsements are made by the Special Education Program, but endorsement is granted by the state of Colorado. Individual state requirements vary and may include teaching experience and examinations in addition to a valid teaching credential. Students should consult with the Colorado Department of Education or the state in which they wish to be endorsed for the most updated endorsement requirements.

Students are responsible for reviewing the Special Education Resources website regularly, including the Handbook and SPED course rotation.

SPED Courses may be offered in online, hybrid, remote, or face-to-face formats. SPED course formats can vary by semester and some courses are offered only once per year.

If you’re required to complete internship, the Praxis Exam - 5354 “Special Education Core Knowledge & Application” must be passed prior to final internship.  Click here for information about preparing for the Praxis 5354.

CDE requires several Praxis exams for the Special Education Generalist Endorsement.  Full information about CDE’s Praxis requirements for the Special Education Generalist Endorsement, can be found here by scrolling down to “Special Education Generalist Ages 5-21”.
 

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Special Education
SPED 5030	Understanding (dis)Ability in Contemporary Classrooms 2	3
SPED 5300	Family, Professional, and Community Collaboration	3
SPED 5151	Slashing Stigmas: Promoting Positive Behaviors	3
SPED 5740	Intersections of Literacy, Culture, & Exceptionality	3
SPED 5780	Literacy Intervention for Exceptional Learners	3
SPED 5140	Assessment: Inquiry, Instruction, & Intervention	3
SPED 5010	Intentional Interventions for Exceptional Learners	3
Additional Courses as Necessary 1
Advanced Study (9 hours)
SPED 5500	Transition and Secondary Methods in Special Education	3
or Faculty Advisor approval for any graduate-level LDFS course 5000-level or higher
RSEM 5080	Research In Schools	3
or Faculty Advisor approval for any graduate-level RSEM course 5000-level or higher
SPED 5401	Advanced Seminar in Special Education	3
to be taken in your final Spring semester
Total Hours		30

¹

Based on a comprehensive record review (i.e. teaching experience & classroom placements), UEDU 5932 Internship & Lrng Comm II and/or UEDU 5933 Internship & Lrng Comm III may be required at the discretion of SPED program faculty.  Some students may also be required to complete prerequisite coursework in content areas, which is determined upon faculty review of program applicants.

²

If SPED 4030 or 5030 is already completed via a previous program, this requirement can be replaced with a Faculty Advisor approved graduate-level 3 semester hour course (5000-level or higher.)

Capstone Requirement

SPED 5401 Advanced Seminar in Special Education is the Special Education Capstone class, which fulfills the COMPS requirement for MA students. The intent of the Capstone is to help candidates synthesize learning through a final project that speaks to academic and professional development in the SPED Program. The capstone should tell the story of what was learned, specific areas of interest, and address ongoing barriers experienced in the field. Your Capstone requirements will be fulfilled by completion of SPED 5401 Advanced Seminar in Special Education.

Program Requirements and Courses

To complete the SPED Education program and earn a master's degree and endorsement, students must complete the appropriate course work as outlined. All courses require a grade of B- or better and a 3.0 minimum GPA is required for graduation.

Course Scheduling

During the fall and spring semesters, most courses are offered in the late afternoon and evening and meet for three hours once a week over a 16-week semester. Courses are offered in various formats, including completely face-to-face classes, hybrid, remote, or online classes. In the summer semester, three-to eight-week sessions are offered, and courses may be in the morning, afternoon or evening.

Planning

For practicing full-time teachers, we recommend taking one course each fall and spring semester, and up to two courses each summer. Plan carefully because some courses are only offered once a year. Several courses have case study requirements with a K-12 student population. If you are not working in a school, you will consult with your instructor for an alternative assignment.

Active Status

Students must complete their programs within seven years, maintaining a GPA of 3.0 (B average). Please refer to the Student Handbook for information on Academic Probation. Students typically take four courses each calendar year. Failure to enroll over three continuous semesters will result in a requirement to submit readmission materials.