Special Education

Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Mark Isham

This Master of Special Education (M. Sp. Ed.) program provides an advanced knowledge base for licensed special education teachers interested in continuing their professional development, becoming curriculum leaders or enhancing their professional status.

This program requires three core courses as well as 18 hours of additional special education coursework. You must also complete nine hours of advisor-approved electives.

Students may select either the thesis or nonthesis option.

• The thesis option requires 30 hours of coursework, a written thesis, and an oral defense of the thesis.
• The nonthesis option requires 36 hours of coursework and a written comprehensive exam.

All professors hold terminal degrees in special education or a related field and bring a wealth of public school experience that blends theory and practice in providing positive student learning opportunities.

All graduate instructors check student progress using multiple methods to assess student work.

The program incorporates use of technology in classroom instruction.

Alternative Licensure Program
We also offer an alternative licensure program for students who have already earned bachelor's degrees and wish to obtain N.M. special education licensure by taking master's level coursework.

All students must be admitted into the graduate school and the College of Education and Technology graduate program before beginning alternative licensure coursework. Twelve hours of master's level coursework from the alternative licensure program will count toward a master's degree in special education.

Advisors for this program:
Kathie Good
Michael Shaughnessy
Robin A. Wells

View the thesis and nonthesis degree plan.