Special Education with an Emphasis in Specific Learning Disabilities (MA)

This program is for individuals who hold a valid Minnesota teaching license and who wish to expand their teaching skills and knowledge of the characteristics and interventions used with students diagnosed with specific learning disabilities. It is designed to prepare highly effective professional, decision-making, and reflective educators who are proficient in foundational knowledge; referral, evaluation, planning, and programming; instructional design, teaching, and ongoing evaluation; collaboration and communication; standards of effective practice; and core special education skills including instructional strategies, social/emotional health, social competence, cultural competence, classroom management, and academic competence. 

Supplemental Course
Content and Methods of K-6 Literacy I 1 (3)
Content and Methods of K-6 Literacy II 1 (3)
Program Courses
SPED 580Ethical Issues for Professional Educators of Exceptional Learners3
SPED 581Instructional Strategies: Mild/Moderate Disabilities3
SPED 583Collaborative Teaching in Inclusive Settings3
SPED 582Teaching Students with Linguistic Differences or Difficulties3
SPED 590Teaching Students with Math or Language Difficulties3
SPED 589Collaborative Consultation in Special Education3
SPED 586Learners with Disabilities: Educational Assessment3
SPED 591Applied Experience in Learning Disabilities3
ED 521Educational Research and Applications3
ED 590Conducting Research and Completing the Capstone3
Total Credits30
1

ED 548 Content Methods of K-6 Literacy I and ED 558 Content and Methods of K-6 Literacy II  (6 credits) are required unless candidates can verify equivalent coursework addressing comprehensive scientifically-based reading instruction, including reading foundations and assessment.

Plan of Study Grid
First YearCredits
First Semester  
SPED 580 Ethical Issues for Professional Educators of Exceptional Learners 3
SPED 581 Instructional Strategies: Mild/Moderate Disabilities 3
Second Semester  
SPED 583 Collaborative Teaching in Inclusive Settings 3
SPED 582 Teaching Students with Linguistic Differences or Difficulties 3
Third Semester  
SPED 590 Teaching Students with Math or Language Difficulties 3
SPED 589 Collaborative Consultation in Special Education 3
 Credits18
Second Year
First Semester  
SPED 586 Learners with Disabilities: Educational Assessment 3
SPED 591 Applied Experience in Learning Disabilities 3
Second Semester  
ED 521 Educational Research and Applications 3
ED 590 Conducting Research and Completing the Capstone 3
 Credits12
 Total Credits30
Plan of Study Grid
First YearCredits
First Semester  
SPED 580 Ethical Issues for Professional Educators of Exceptional Learners 3
SPED 581 Instructional Strategies: Mild/Moderate Disabilities 3
Second Semester  
SPED 583 Collaborative Teaching in Inclusive Settings 3
SPED 582 Teaching Students with Linguistic Differences or Difficulties 3
Third Semester  
SPED 590 Teaching Students with Math or Language Difficulties 3
SPED 589 Collaborative Consultation in Special Education 3
 Credits18
Second Year
SPED 586 Learners with Disabilities: Educational Assessment 3
SPED 591 Applied Experience in Learning Disabilities 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits24