Master of Science--Special Education

The Master of Science (MS)--Special Education was implemented in the fall of 2001 at BSU. The degree is designed to provide graduate students with a broad base of knowledge about students with special needs as well as programming strategies for those students.

As a foundation for the program, BSU used the standards established by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) for teacher preparation in special education. The CEC standards address eight areas of common core competencies identified by experts in the field of special education. In addition to the common core competencies the MS--Special Education requires the completion of a Scholarly Activity.

Common Core Competencies

1. Philosophical, Historical, and Legal Foundations of Special Education
2. Characteristics of Learners
3. Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation
4. Instructional Content and Practice
5. Planning and Managing the Teaching and Learning Environment
6. Managing Student Behavior and Social Interaction Skills
7. Communication and Collaborative Partnerships
8. Professional and Ethical Practices

Requirements for Admission

An undergraduate degree in education and a valid teaching license are required for admission to the Master of Science--Special Education program. Applicants who are not licensed teachers may be admitted into the program with the consent of the Coordinator of Special Education. A special education teaching license may also be incorporated into the program; however, this is not the primary focus of the program.  For information on admission to graduate education at Bemidji State University, contact the Graduate Studies Office.

Program Summary

Common Core (CC) Competencies

Note: Asterisked (*) courses have prerequisites not required in this program.

CC #1 Philosophical, Historical, and Legal Foundation of Special Education (3 credits)

• ED 5600 Study of the Learner with Special Needs (3 credits)

CC #2 Characteristics of Learners (3 credits)
Select one course. Others may be used as electives.

• ED 5620 Teaching the Learner with Specific Learning Disabilities I (3 credits)
• ED 5630 Teaching the Learner with Emotional Behavioral Disorders I (3 credits)
• PHED 5212 Developmental Techniques for Adapted Physical Education (3 credits)

CC #3 Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation (3 credits)

• *ED 6609 Diagnosis and Assessment of Learners with Special Needs (3 credits)

CC #4 Instructional Content and Practice (2 to 3 credits)
Select one course. Others may be used as electives.

• ED 6237  Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties (2 credits)
• ED 6608  Language Development and Disabilities (3 credits)

CC #5 Planning and Managing the Teaching and Learning Environment (3 credits)
Select one course.  Others may be used as electives.

• ED 6620  Teaching the Learner with Specific Learning Disabilities II (3 credits)
• ED 6630  Teaching the Learner with Emotiuonal Behavioral Disorders II (3 crredits)

CC #6 Managing Student Behavior and Social Interaction Skills (3 credits)

• ED 5715  Curriculum Techniques with Special Populations (3 credits)

CC #7 Communication and Collaborative Partnerships (3 credits)

• ED 5650  Collaborative Techniques for Special Educators (3 credits)

CC #8 Professionalism and Ethical Practices (2 credits)

• ED 5640  Due Process in Special Education (2 credits)

CC #9 Scholarly Activity (8-9 credits)
Select one option.

Option #1  Thesis:

• ED 6160  Educational Statistics (2 credits)
• ED 6680  Single Subject Research in Special Education (3 credits)
• ED 6990  Thesis (4 credits)

Option #2  Research Paper:

• ED 6610  Current Issues in Special Education (3 credits)
• ED 6680 Single Subject Research in Special Education (3 credits)
  
• ED 6980  Directed Research in Special Education (2 credits)

Electives:  Determined in consultation with Advisor (2-4 credits)

Total Credits in Masters                                                                                 35 credits