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Masters Program Requirements

Prerequisite courses to be completed with a grade of "B" or better:

  • ESPE 5530. Introduction to Special Education (3)
  • ESPE 5531. Methods and Procedures in Special Education (3)

Degree Requirements (33 units)

Core course requirements (21 units)

  • ESPE 5532 Language Development in Diverse Learners (3 units)
  • ESPE 6631 Assessment for Planning and Instruction (3 units)
  • ESPE 6632 Supportive Learning Environments (3 units)
  • ESPE 6633 Methods to Support Inclusive Learning (3 units)
  • ESPE 6639 Collaboration and Consultation in Special Education (3 units)
  • ESPE 6601 Critical Issues in Special Education (3 units)
  • ESPE 6602 Research in Special Education (3 units)

Emphasis course requirements (9 units)

Student must choose ONE of the following:

Early Childhood Special Education option

  • ESPE 6637 Seminar on Language and Literacy in Early Childhood Special Education (3 units)
  • ESPE 6672 Birth to Age Three Methods in Early Childhood Special Education (3 units)
  • ESPE 6673 Preschool through Kindergarten Methods in Early Childhood Special Education (3 units)

Mild to Moderate Support Needs option

  • ESPE 6635 Seminar in Literacy Learning for K-12 Students with Special Needs (3 units)
  • ESPE 6642 Methods for Students with Mild and Moderate Support Needs I (3 units)
  • ESPE 6643 Methods for Students with Mild and Moderate Support Needs II (3 units)

Extensive Support Needs option

  • ESPE 6635 Seminar in Literacy Learning for K-12 Students with Special Needs (3 units)
  • ESPE 6662 Methods for Students with Extensive Support Needs I (3 units)
  • ESPE 6663 Methods for Students with Extensive Support Needs II (3 units)

Culminating experience (3 units)

Students must choose ONE of the following options to demonstrate the graduate exit writing requirement:

  • ESPE 6960 Master of Science in Special Education Project (3 units)
  • ESPE 6980 Special Education Comprehensive Exam (0 units)*
    • * When Option 2 is chosen, students must take the following course:  ESPE 6665 Seminar in Special Education (3 units)

Note: Education Specialist Credential holders returning for the M.S. degree will be required to complete an approved program of study consisting of a minimum of 21.0 additional semester units and a culminating experience (i.e., the comprehensive exam or thesis).