CURRICULUM AND COURSES

The online MA in Exceptional Child Education requires 30 credit hours (plus prerequisites). Students will choose one of eight emphasis areas to focus their degree. This program is for individuals with an undergraduate degree in education who already possess teaching certification.

Core Requirements

EL615 Research in Action (3)
EX601 Educational Assessment Techniques (3)
EX635 Psychology and Education of Students with Special Needs (3)
EX693 Special Education and the Law (3)
GR691 Methods of Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Designs (3)
GR698 Master's Final Comprehensive Exam (0)

EX555 Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder (3)
EX556 Communication Interventions and Strategies for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (3)
EX557 Behavior Management and Interventions for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (3)
EX558 Research Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)
EX691 Transition Planning for Individuals with Exceptional Learning Needs (3)

Autism Emphasis*

EL603 Teaching Elementary School Mathematics (3)
EL608 Diagnosis and Remediation of Difficulties in Learning Mathematics (3)
EX616 Behavior Management (3)
EX652 Techniques of Teaching the Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical (3)
EX691 Transition Planning for Individuals with Exceptional Learning Needs (3) 

Diagnosis and Correction Mathematics Emphasis

Early Childhood Special Education Emphasis

CE530 Foundation of Early Childhood and Special Education (3)
CE634 Assessing Young Children's Learning and Development (3)
EX507 Family and Child with Exceptionalities (3)
EX602 Language Acquisition for the Child with Exceptionalities (3)
EX616 Behavior Management (3) 

Elementary Literacy Emphasis

EX616 Behavior Management (3)

Choose 3 hours:  
EL630 The Science of Reading I: Foundations of Literacy (3)  
EL646 Aspects of Literacy Development and Acquisition (3)

Choose 3 hours:
EL631 The Science of Reading II: Assessing and Correcting Emergent Literacy Learners (3)  
EL647 Reading Assessment (3)

Choose 3 hours:
EL648 Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities (3)
EL681 The Science of Reading IV: Developing Research Driven Instruction in Reading Comprehension and Writing (3)

Choose 3 hours:
EL680 The Science of Reading III: Evidence–Based Literacy Instruction in the Area of Language and Reading (3)
SE602 Effective Literacy Instruction at the Middle and Secondary Levels (3)

Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical Emphasis

EX507 Family and Child with Exceptionalities (3)
EX602 Language Acquisition for the Child with Exceptionalities (3)
EX616 Behavior Management (3)
EX652 Techniques of Teaching the Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical (3)
EX691 Transition Planning for Individuals with Exceptional Learning Needs (3) 

EX616 Behavior Management (3)
EX691 Transition Planning for Individuals with Exceptional Learning Needs (3)
SE600 Multimedia in Education (3)
SE617 Foundations of Educational Technology (3)
SE501 AI in Education (3)

Technology Emphasis

Trauma and Resiliency Studies Emphasis

CF602 Trauma-Informed Care (3)
ED535 The Trauma Informed Professional (3)
EX602 Language Acquisition of Children with Exceptionalities (3)
EX616 Behavior Management (3)
EX691 Transition Planning for Individuals with Exceptional Learning Needs (3) 

Secondary Literacy Emphasis

EX616 Behavior Management (3)
EX691 Transition Planning for Individuals with Exceptional Learning Needs (3)
SE602 Effective Literacy Instruction at the Middle and Secondary Levels (3)
SE612 Responsive Literacy Interventions for Middle and High School Students with Academic Challenges (3)
SE638 Improvement of Instruction and Assessment (3)

*The Autism emphasis area includes a 12-credit-hour transcripted certificate. The certificate must be declared separately from the MA in Exceptional Child Education.