Master of Education (MEd) in Special Education - Accelerated Online
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Special education students need teachers and advocates with the unique expertise to guide them to a successful future. If your passion matches your ambition, you can earn your M.Ed. in Special Education online with UTRGV in as few as ten months. An initial teaching certificate is not required to enter this program. If you are a certified teacher, this TEACH Grant-eligible degree program will prepare you for additional special education certification credentials.
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Complete in as few as 10 months |
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30 credit hours |
| Per credit hour | Per 3-credit course | Total program cost |
 458.33 |
1,374.99 |
13,750* |
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Admission Requirements
Step #1: Submit a UTRGV Graduate Application at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply. The university application fee of $50 ($100 for International Applicants) can be paid online by credit card or electronic check (in the online application). All application fees are nonrefundable.
Step #2: Request your official transcripts to be sent electronically to gradapps@utrgv.edu or mailed to:
The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyThe Graduate CollegeMarialice Shary Shivers Bldg. 1.1581201 W. University DriveEdinburg, TX 78539-2999
*Please Note: If you are a graduate of UTPA, UTB/TSC, or UTRGV you do not need to request an official transcript to be sent to the Graduate College.
Review and submit all Program Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. If applicant does not meet minimum undergraduate GPA criterion, GRE general test with minimum scores of 150 Verbal, 141 Quantitative, and 4.0 Analytical are required for conditional admission. GRE test scores are valid for 5 years.
- Official transcripts from each institution attended (must be submitted directly to UTRGV).
- Personal statement detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
- Two letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources.
- Resume including educational background and work experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge of special education or knowledge of individual differences through:
- State certification in special education.
- 3 hours of undergraduate coursework in special education with a grade of ‘B’ or better; or
- Coursework in a related field such as psychology, early childhood education, or speech pathology.
Additional requirements for domestic applicants who attended foreign universities and international applicants:
- TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on internet-based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years. For additional information, visit the Additional Documents for Domestic Applicants who Attend Foreign Universities section of our website.
- English translation of educational records.
- Transcript Evaluation by the Foreign Credentials Service of America (FCSA) or the World Education Services (WES). For additional information, visit the Academic Credentials/Transcripts Evaluation section of our website.
*Students in fully online programs are not eligible for I-20 or student visas however international applicants can study from their home country.
Check Program Availability in Your State
Higher Education Act of 1965 include changes in regulation for State Authorization that may impact online, distance, and correspondence education providers. Please review Check Program Availability in Your State for more details.
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Program Contact
Program Director: Dr. John Lowdermilk
Phone: (956) 665-3465
Office: Edinburg Campus, EEDUC 1302
E-Mail: john.lowdermilk@utrgv.edu
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Deadlines
Online Accelerated Application Deadline:
Spring 2018 Module I Spring 2018 Module II Summer 2018 Module I Summer 2018 Module II Fall 2018 Module I Fall 2018 Module II December 3 January 28 March 25 May 20 July 22 September 17 -
Course Requirements
Courses:
Master of Education in Special EducationEPSY 6300: Advanced Individual Differences
The content of this course will include the nature of individual differences with emphasis on the learning characteristics and application of research and theory to special education programs. There will be an emphasis on psychological, socio-cultural and physical characteristics of exceptional individuals. Analysis of major research regarding contemporary trends, issues and programs for exceptional individuals will be presented.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3EPSY 6302: Strategies for Teaching Individuals with Low Incidence Disabilities
The content of this course will include causes, symptoms and implications of low Incidence disabilities to the family, community, vocational adjustment and education, incorporating the child's cultural and linguistic background.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3EPSY 6303: Evidence-based Practices for Students with High Incidence Disabilities
The content of this course will include evidence-based instructional theories and practices for students with high incidence disabilities. The course will target curricular and instructional design for students who need individualized instruction for successful learning.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3EPSY 6304: Assessment of Learning
An introduction to basic concepts, techniques and issues in assessment of student learning and learning environments.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3EPSY 6307: Legal Foundations of Special Education
This course presents the information for educators to understand the history and development of special education laws and the requirements of the laws. The emphasis of this course is on the legal requirements of providing a free appropriate public education to students with disabilities.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3EPSY 6311: Applied Behavioral Analysis for Educators
This course includes an overview of the history and principles of applied behavior analysis including ethical and responsible uses. Applications in the educational setting are emphasized within the context of positive behavior support as it relates to classroom and school wide interventions.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3EPSY 6316: Classroom-Based Assessment and Programming in Special Education
The content of this course will include key Information about assessment methods commonly used in special education. A major focus of the course will be on the implications of assessment results for instruction.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3EPSY 6320: Consultation and Collaboration with Parents, Professionals, and Agencies
This course will include theory, techniques and research concerns in home-school-agency-system based consultation services or indirect service delivery models for individuals or clients who are from a society which is linguistically, socioeconomically, and socio-culturally pluralistic. There will be an emphasis on knowledge and concepts related to consultation with special and general education teachers, parents and families, community agencies and systems who deliver services to individuals and clients.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3EPSY 6356: Research Designs for Special Educators
This course will provide an overview analysis and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies used in the extant literature on pedagogical techniques. Single subject design research methods and their application within special education will be emphasized. A variety of single-subject research designs will be examined, and the strengths and weaknesses of each design will be identified. Issues related to analysis of data, social validity and ethical use research methodologies will be discussed.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3EPSY 6385: Autism Spectrum Disorders
This course surveys the history, prevalence, theories of etiology, diagnosis, characteristics, and research based interventions of ASD.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
