Program Overview

---

Special Education Program Overview

The University of Oklahoma Master of Education within the Special Education program consists of coursework, field experiences, and independent study. These blend theory, research, and applied practice that enhances graduate students' special education knowledge and skills. Those who successfully complete their program of study assume a variety of professional roles including special education teachers, transition specialists, behavior analysts, special education administrators, hospital and other facility educators, and state agency officers.

Coursework

To obtain the basic Master of Education in Special Education degree, students complete a minimum of 33 degree-applicable non-thesis credit hours. Students complete 15 hours of required and 18 hours of elective courses; these electives may also fulfill an add-on certificate (emphasis area).

• Required Courses (15 hours)
  • EDSP 5143: Applied Behavior Analysis in School Settings
  • EDSP 5163: Collaboration, Accommodations & Modifications
  • EDSP 5183: Advanced Assessment
  • EDSP 6123: Contemporary Issues/Research
  • EDSP 5013: Special Education Instructional Methods and Programs
  • (Choose one of the following)
    • EIPT 5033: Introduction to Research and Evaluation in Education
    • EDSP 6023: Single Case Research Design (offered spring semesters)
• Elective Courses (18 hours) (Minimum of 9 hours graduate courses within the Special Education program area)
  • The OU Special Education program offers the following degree emphasis areas:
    • Fundamentals of Special Education
    • Secondary Transition
    • Applied Behavior Analysis

Admission Requirements and Application Process

To be considered for admission, students must meet minimum requirements set by the Graduate College. Graduate students need to have:

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• A 3.0 minimum undergraduate grade point average. Students may be conditionally admitted with an undergraduate GPA between 2.75 and 2.99. If GPA is below 3.0, applicants need to discuss in the application personal statement (essay) reasons for their low GPA and explain why these issues will no longer be a concern.

Due Dates

To be considered for admission into the OU Masters of Special Education Degree Programs applications are due on or before the following dates:

• Semester | Domestic Students | International Students
  • Fall Semester | Rolling Admissions | Feb. 1
  • Spring Semester | Rolling Admissions | Sept. 1
  • Summer Semester | Rolling Admissions | Feb. 1

Required Application Materials

Applicants will need to provide official transcripts, pay an application fee, and submit the following required information during the on-line application process:

• Personal statement
• Contact information for three recommendations
• Original transcripts
• Resume

Master of Special Education with an Emphasis in Fundamentals

The Master’s in Special Education with a concentration in the Fundamentals of Special Education prepares students to become Special Education teachers. Most students work full time and take courses each semester in the late afternoon and evening during the week. A limited number of courses are offered during the summer semester.

Coursework

Students complete the core set of Special Education Master’s degree coursework, along with a set of fundamentals courses. The Master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Fundamentals is a 33-credit-hour program.

• Required Core Courses for M.Ed. (18 hours)
  • EDSP 5143: Applied Behavior Analysis in School
  • EDSP 5163: Collaboration, Accommodations and Modifications
  • EDSP 5183: Advanced Assessment
  • EDSP 6123: Contemporary Issues/Research
  • EDSP 5013: Special Education Instructional Methods and Programs
  • (Choose one of the following)
    • EIPT 5033: Introduction to Research and Evaluation in Education
    • EDSP 6023: Single Case Research Design
• Required Course for the Fundamentals certificate
  • EDSP 5413: Education of Exceptional Children
• Recommended Fundamentals Electives
  • EDSP 5093: Transition and Self-Determination
  • EDSP 5063: Issues & Strategies in a Functional Curriculum
  • Two Guided Electives chosen with an advisor

Master of Special Education with an Emphasis in Secondary Transition

The master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Secondary Transition Education prepares students to become transition coordinators or to implement transition education concepts and strategies into Special Education teaching roles. Most students work full time and take courses each semester in the late afternoon and evening during the week. A limited number of courses are offered during the summer semester.

Coursework

Students complete the core set of Special Education Master’s degree coursework, along with a set of transition education and social work courses. The Master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Secondary Transition Education is a 33-credit-hour program. Eighteen of these credit hours are required core Special Education courses.

• Required Prerequisite Course
  • Students pursuing a M.Ed. who have never taken an introductory course in special education must successfully complete EDSP 5413: Understanding & Accommodating Students with Exceptionalities (offered each semester).
• Required Core Courses (18 hours)
  • EDSP 5143: Applied Behavior Analysis in School
  • EDSP 5163: Collaboration, Accommodations and Modifications
  • EDSP 5183: Advanced Assessment
  • EDSP 6123: Contemporary Issues/Research
  • EDSP 5013: Special Education Instructional Methods and Programs
  • (Choose one of the following)
    • EIPT 5033: Introduction to Research and Evaluation in Education
    • EDSP 6023: Single Case Research Design
• Required Transition Courses Sequence
  • EDSP 5093: Transition and Self-Determination
  • EDSP 5193: Postsecondary Education and Employment
  • EDSP 5293: Transition-Based Assessment
  • EDSP 5393: Transition Practicum*
  • SWK-5293-Direct Practice with Diverse Students, Disabilities, Families

Master of Special Education with an Emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis is widely accepted as an effective intervention to improve the skills of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board and Association for Behavior Analysis International have designated the courses within the special education program at the University of Oklahoma as a verified course sequence. This course sequence prepares students for their fieldwork experiences and to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Examination.

Coursework

Special Education candidates complete a minimum of 33 degree-applicable hours in core special education and ABA courses. All courses within this program are delivered via a 100% synchronous distance-learning format.

• Required Prerequisite Course
  • Students pursuing a M.Ed. who have never taken an introductory course in special education must successfully complete EDSP 5413: Understanding & Accommodating Students with Exceptionalities (offered each semester). Please note this course does not count toward the degree.
• New Required Core Courses (18 hours)
  • EDSP 5603: Philosophical Assumptions of Behavior Analysis (replaces EDSP 5143: Applied Behavior Analysis in School)
  • EDSP 5163: Collaboration, Accommodations and Modifications
  • EDSP 5183: Advanced Assessment
  • EDSP 6123: Contemporary Issues/Research
  • EDSP 5013: Special Education Instructional Methods and Programs
  • EDSP 6023: Single Case Research Design = Required for the ABA certificate
• New Required ABA Courses
  • EDSP 5613: Principles and Concepts in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • EDSP 5623: Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • EDSP 5633: Personnel Supervision and Management in Applied Behavioral Analysis
  • EDSP 5643: Behavior Change in Applied Behavioral Analysis
  • EDSP 5653: Behavior Assessment in Applied Behavioral Analysis

Important Notice

OU does not issue BCBA certification. Although the ABA coursework has been vetted and approved by the BACB/ABAi, students must independently submit their credentials to the BACB and pass the BCBA exam.