Students seeking special education certification at the post-graduate level and students who are already certified in special education may choose to complete a Master's Degree in Special Education.  There are four routes to a Master's Degree in Special Education:

• M.Ed. for individuals who are already certified in a teaching field
• M.Ed. for individuals who are also seeking special education certification
• M.Ed. for individuals who wish to obtain Educational Diagnostician certification
• M.Ed. for individuals who wish to pursue an area of concentration within special education

Master's Degree in Generic Special Education for Individuals Who Hold Teaching Certification

Students already certified in a teaching field need to complete graduate requirements, eight special education courses, and a minor of their choice.  Click here for a list of course requirements or contact Dr. Larry Wheeler with questions.

Seeking a Special Education Certification and Master's Degree

Students who have an undergraduate degree may obtain special education certification as a post-graduate. If special education certification is the first teacher certification sought, the Career Alternatives in Special Education (CASE) program is designed for you.  Students have the option of either completing All-level Generic Special Education certification only or completing certification with a master's degree in special education.  Consult the CASE website for more information.

Obtaining an Educational Diagnostician Certification

Certified teachers who want to obtain certification as an Educational Diagnostician may complete certification requirements and obtain a master's degree in special education if desired.  The Educational Diagnostician Program requires coursework in both special education and school psychology.  This certification will allow an individual to evaluate students for admission to special education and assess individual learning characteristics for programming purposes.  After completing all coursework, students will be required to pass a Texas Educational Diagnostician certification test.  For more information see below or contact Dr. Larry Wheeler.

Educational Diagnostician Links:

General Information

Application

Courses required for educational diagnostician

Educational Diagnostician degree planning worksheet
*Keep a copy of this worksheet and return a copy to:
Dr. Larry Wheeler
Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction
College of Education
Texas State University - San Marcos
San Marcos, TX 78666-4616
lw06@txstate.edu

Pursuing a Master's Degree in Special Education with a Concentration

Individuals who meet program entrance requirements may choose to focus their studies in one of three new concentrations:

• Behavioral Disorders/Positive Behavioral Supports
• Autism/Applied Behavior Analysis
• Learning Disabilities/Inclusion

These programs are designed to provide advanced training and expertise in the chosen area of concentration. To apply for any of the concentration programs, simply complete the application and submit it to:
Dr Brenda Scheuermann
EDB 3050
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX 78666
512-245-2267
brenda@txstate.edu

Master of Education in Special Education with Concentration in Behavioral Disorders/Positive Behavioral Supports

The BD/PBS  concentration consist of 36 hours: 30 hours in the major, and 6 hours in the cognate:

• SPED 5311 (Teaching Language Arts to Students with Disabilities)
• SPED 5313 (Teaching Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders)
• SPED 5356 (Strategies and Practices for Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities)
• SPED 5314 (Advanced Strategies for Educating Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders)
• SPED 5375 (Applied Behavior Analysis)
• SPED 5380 (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in Schools)
• SPED 5386 (Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis)
• SPED 5387 (Research Design in Special Education)
• SPED 5382 (Advanced Practices in Emotional/Behavioral Disorders)
• SPED 5392 (Special Education Practicum in BD/PBS) or SPED 5388 (Trends and Issues in Special Education)

Cognate - Choose 6 hours from:

• EDP 5396 Biological Bases of Behavior OR PSY 5324 Biological Bases of Behavior
• PSY 5370 Learning, Cognition, and Motivation
• CDIS 5333 Advanced Study in Language Disorders
• SOWK 5310 Social Welfare Policy and Services
• SOWK 5312 Social Work Intervention in Drug Addiction & Abuse
• SOWK 5315 Child Abuse and Neglect
• FCD 5302E Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health

Advisor: Dr. Brenda Scheuermann

 Master of Education in Special Education with Concentration in Autism/Applied Behavior Analysis

The Autism/ABA  concentration consist of 36 hours: 24 hours in the major, and 12 hours in the cognate:

 

Major:

• SPED 5314 (Advanced Educational Strategies for Students with Autism)
• SPED 5329 (Language Development and Intervention for Special Populations)
• SPED 5327 (Educating Students with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities)
• SPED 5375 (Applied Behavior Analysis)
• SPED 5380 (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in Schools)
• SPED 5386 (Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis)
• SPED 5387 (Research Design in Special Education)
• SPED 5391 (Special Education Practicum in Autism/ABA) or SPED 5388 (Trends and Issues in Special Education) (this course may be completed while teaching or other full-time professional employment with students with autism)

Cognate:

Required:

• CI 5390 (Research)

Choose 9 hours from:

• EDP 5396 Biological Bases of Behavior OR PSY 5324 Biological Bases of Behavior
• PSY 5370 Learning, Cognition, and Motivation
• CDIS 5333 Advanced Study in Language Disorders
• FCD 5341 Advanced Child Development
• FCD 5302E Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
• PE 5304 Psychology for Motor Learning

Advisor: Dr. Amanda Boutot

 Master of Education in Special Education with Concentration in Learning Disabilities/Inclusion

The LD/Inclusion concentration consist of 36 hours: 30 hours in the major, and 6 hours in the cognate:

Major: 

• SPED 5360 (Survey of Exceptionality)
• SPED 5334 (Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Disabilities)
• SPED 5326 (Educating Students with Mild Disabilities)
• SPED 5311 (Teaching Language Arts to Students with Disabilities)
• SPED 5313 (Teaching Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders)
• SPED 5375 (Applied Behavior Analysis)
• SPED 5380 (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in Schools)
• SPED 5355 (Characteristics of Students with LD)
• SPED 5356 (Advanced Practices in LD/Inclusion
• SPED 5388 (Trends and Issues in Special Education) (this course may be completed while teaching or other full-time professional employment with students with learning challenges)

Cognate - Choose 6 hours from:

• PSY 5370 (Learning, Cognition, and Motivation)
• EDTC 5310 (ntroduction to Educational Technology)
• RDG 5322 (Teaching Reading in the Elementary/Middle Schools)
• CI 5317 or CI 5322 (Teaching Strategies for Elementary/Middle Schools: Alternative Models)

Advisor:  Dr. Marilyn Goodwin