Master of Education (M.Ed.) concentration in Special Education

A program of study for individuals who already hold a professional teaching license or those wishing to work with individuals with exceptionalities in areas other than teaching. Candidates will be prepared for advanced positions in exceptional education, such as department chair, program specialist, RTI specialist, behavior specialist, or instructional coach. Candidates may choose to pursue a certificate in autism or an endorsement in Gifted Education.

The M.Ed. is, at minimum, a 30 credit hour program with 13-16 core credit hours. College of Education and Exceptional Education courses comprise the core courses. The remaining credits are split between a selected concentration and electives that meet specific individual needs and career objectives.

The M.Ed. includes field experiences integrated into courses, which may occur as a formal placement by the university or as a result of supervised employment. All candidates complete a final portfolio OR an action research project, which serves as their comprehensive assessment.

This program is not designed to meet Virginia requirements for initial teacher licensure or endorsement. However, depending on the concentration selected, the M.Ed. can lead to an endorsement in gifted education provided the individual already holds a valid Virginia teaching license or a certificate in autism.

K-12 Gifted Education Concentration

The gifted education concentration is designed to prepare educators who skillfully contribute to the common good of society through competence in teaching and educational leadership in gifted education.

This program enables candidates to complete the approved Virginia Add-on K-12 Gifted Education Endorsement. This is a totally online concentration.

MEd K-12 Gifted Education Concentration Courses

CONCENTRATION ON HIATUS

Autism Concentration

The autism concentration is designed to enable candidates to increase their knowledge and understanding of individuals with a disability on the autism spectrum and to engage in the practice of assessing, planning and implementing programming for this population. The content of this program is suitable for those working with this population anytime along the entire lifespan.

Courses must be taken in consecutive order.

Due to the popularity of these courses if the course is full place yourself on the Waitlist and, if an additional section is scheduled, you will be notified.

MEd SPED Autism Concentration Courses

CONCENTRATION ON HIATUS

Applied Behavior Analysis / Behavior Specialist

This concentration focuses on applied behavior analysis (ABA) and prepares graduates to complete the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam after graduation.

Students may aply to the M.E.d program, or may apply to take courses in the concentration while completing an MAT program.

This represents the collaborative, interdisciplinary program, between Graduate Psychology and Exceptional Education.

Application Deadline: June 1st

BACB EXAM PASSAGE RATE

MEd SPED Behavior Specialist Concentration Courses