Program Overview

Exceptional Student Education (MEd)

The MEd in Exceptional Student Education program prepares exceptional education teachers to enhance their knowledge in programs serving Pre-K-12 students with disabilities. The program is designed for teachers already certified in exceptional student education (or other certification in special education) to augment their knowledge, skills, and dispositions.

Program Overview

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Exceptional Education requires 33 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree, including a 3-credit-hour research course, 24 credit hours of specialization courses, and 6 credit hours of either a thesis or electives approved by an adviser. A Comprehensive Examination is also required and serves as the culminating experience in the program.

Total Credit Hours Required

• 33 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree

Program Details

• The Exceptional Student Education (MEd) may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online.
• Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.
• International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters, with only 3 of the 9 credit hours taken in a completely online format.

Program Prerequisites

• Current Florida Professional Teaching Certificate in Exceptional Student Education or completion of all requirements for that Professional Teaching Certificate must be completed prior to graduation.

Degree Requirements

Required Course

• Complete at least one of the following:
  • EDF6481 - Fundamentals of Graduate Research in Education (3)
  • EDF6472 - Data-Driven Decision-Making for Instruction (3)

Specialization Courses

• Complete all of the following:
  • EEX6061 - Instructional Strategies Pre-K-6 (3)
  • EEX6065 - Programming for Students with Disabilities at the Secondary Level (3)
  • EEX6107 - Teaching Spoken and Written Language (3)
  • EEX6295 - Assessment and Curriculum Prescriptions for the Exceptional Population (3)
  • EEX6342 - Seminar-Critical Issues in Special Education (3)
  • EEX6524 - Organization and Collaboration in Special Ed (3)
  • EEX6612 - Methods of Behavioral Management (3)
• Earn at least 3 credits from elective courses approved by an adviser.

Thesis/Nonthesis Option

• Complete one of the following:
  • Thesis Option: Earn at least 6 credits from EEX 6971 - Thesis.
  • Nonthesis Option:
    • Earn at least 6 credits from EEX6909 - Research Report (1 - 99).
    • Earn at least 6 credits from two additional electives approved by an adviser for a total of 33 credit hours.

Comprehensive Examination

• The culminating Comprehensive Examination must be successfully completed to demonstrate mastery of research, skills, knowledge, and dispositions of standards from accrediting educational agencies prior to graduation.

Grand Total Credits

• 33