Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Master of Education - Special Education


Plan Description


The M.Ed. program is designed to meet the needs of persons who hold a baccalaureate degree and wish to earn a master’s degree in special education or early childhood education special education, with or without licensure. Students are expected to develop a plan of study that is most relevant to their educational purposes. Students seeking a license to teach should be aware that certification or endorsement requirements might limit their choices. A number of specific focus areas are available and can lead to the following Nevada Department of Education endorsements: Autism, Early Childhood Special Education, Learning Disabilities, Generalist-Mild Disabilities, Gifted and Talented, Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, Applied Behavioral Analysis (BCBA), or other professional areas The Master of Education – Special Education program requires 36 credits of graduate-level coursework. Additional credits may be required for endorsement or licensure purposes.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degree Directory.

Learning outcomes for specific subplan tracks can be found below:

Plan Admission Requirements


 

Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

In addition to meeting the admission requirements of the Graduate College, as outlined in the front of this catalog, applicants must also meet the requirements established by the Department of Educational and Clinical Studies. They are:

  1. A minimum grade point average of 2.75 for all undergraduate work or a 3.00 grade point average for the last two years of undergraduate work. Admission to a master’s degree program in special education requires that students with a GPA of less than 2.75 be admitted to the graduate program with provisional status; and
  2. A letter of application/intent.

Applications are processed when all credentials required by both the Graduate College and the Department of Educational and Clinical Studies have been received by the Graduate Coordinator. The Graduate Coordinator evaluates the applicant’s credentials and recommends either 1) admission to full, contingency, or provisional graduate standing (depending on the strength of the applicant’s academic credentials); or 2) denial. Those who wish to begin studies but who miss the application deadline may enroll as a non-degree graduate student. However, since there is no guarantee that courses taken as a non-degree student will count toward a degree, and since a maximum of 15 hours taken prior to admission to the program may be used to meet degree requirements, candidates are urged to seek advisement prior to registering for any course(s).

Applicants should log back into their online applications to monitor the status of the application. Official decision letters will be posted in the online application once a decision has been made. Hard-copy letters are not issued. The online decision letter will include the name of the student’s advisor. Students are responsible for contacting their advisors.

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Subplan 1 Requirements: Applied Behavioral Analysis Track


Total Credits Required: 36

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 6

EPY 702 - Research Methods  

ESP 722 - Multicultural Perspectives in Special Education  

Special Education Courses – Credits: 21

Complete 21 credits of advisor-approved course work.

ESP 712 - Applied Behavior Analysis  

ESP 715 - Communication Programming for Persons with Severe Disabilities  

ESP 729 - Characteristics of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders  

ESP 735 - Advanced Behavior Management  

ESP 739 - Advanced Educational Strategies for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders  

ESP 762 - Ethical Evaluation of Programs for Persons with Exceptionalities/Special Needs  

ESP 763N - Single Case Research Design ​ ​ ​    

Elective Courses – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits of advisor-approved course work.

Degree Requirements 

See Plan Degree Requirements below.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 2 Requirements: Autism Track


Total Credits Required: 36

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 6

EPY 702 - Research Methods  

ESP 722 - Multicultural Perspectives in Special Education  

Special Education Courses – Credits: 30

Complete 30 credits from the following list of courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

ESP 701 - Introduction to Special Education and Legal Issues  

ESP 709 - Diagnostic and Prescriptive Assessment for Diverse Learners  

ESP 715 - Communication Programming for Persons with Severe Disabilities  

ESP 719A - Advanced Oral and Written Language Instruction for Students with Disabilities  

ESP 724 - Math Methods in Special Education  

ESP 729 - Characteristics of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders  

ESP 730 - Parent Involvement in Special and General Education  

ESP 733 - Management and Modification of Students with Special Needs  

ESP 734 - Vocational and Career Education for Persons with Disabilities in Transition  

ESP 735 - Advanced Behavior Management  

ESP 739 - Advanced Educational Strategies for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders  

ESP 740 - Speech and Hearing Therapy for Classroom Teachers  

Licensure Fieldwork Courses – Credits: 8 (Required for Licensure)

Students requiring Nevada state licensure must complete 8 credits of fieldwork.

ESP 720 - Field Experience in Special Education  

Degree Requirements 

See Plan Degree Requirements below.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 3 Requirements: Emotional Disturbance Track


Total Credits Required: 36

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 6

EPY 702 - Research Methods  

ESP 722 - Multicultural Perspectives in Special Education  

Special Education Courses – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits from the following list.

ESP 705 - Psychological and Sociological Problems of Students with Emotional Disabilities  

ESP 706 - Advanced Educational Strategies for Students with Emotional Disabilities  

ESP 735 - Advanced Behavior Management  

Elective Courses – Credits: 21

Complete 21 credits of advisor-approved elective courses.

Fieldwork Courses – Credits: 8 (Required for Licensure)

Students requiring Nevada state licensure must complete 8 credits of fieldwork from one of the following courses:

ESP 720 - Field Experience in Special Education  

ESP 737B - Emotional Disturbance  

Degree Requirements 

See Plan Degree Requirements below.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 4 Requirements: Generalist - Mild Disabilities Track


Total Credits Required: 36

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 6

EPY 702 - Research Methods  

ESP 722 - Multicultural Perspectives in Special Education  

Elective Courses – Credits: 30

Complete 30 credits from the following list of courses or other advisor-approved courses.

ESP 701 - Introduction to Special Education and Legal Issues  

ESP 708 - Advanced Education Strategies for Students with Disabilities  

ESP 709 - Diagnostic and Prescriptive Assessment for Diverse Learners  

ESP 719A - Advanced Oral and Written Language Instruction for Students with Disabilities  

ESP 724 - Math Methods in Special Education  

ESP 730 - Parent Involvement in Special and General Education  

ESP 733 - Management and Modification of Students with Special Needs  

ESP 734 - Vocational and Career Education for Persons with Disabilities in Transition  

ESP 737I - Resource Room  

ESP 763Q - Data-Based Decision Making and Growth Models    

Licensure Fieldwork Courses – Credits: 12 (Required for Licensure)

Students requiring Nevada state licensure must complete 12 credits of fieldwork. Please see advisor for this information. 

Degree Requirements 

See Plan Degree Requirements below.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 5 Requirements: Gifted and Talented Track


Total Credits Required: 36

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 6

EPY 702 - Research Methods  

ESP 722 - Multicultural Perspectives in Special Education  

Special Education Course – Credits: 3

Complete 3 credits from the following list of courses or other advisor-approved courses.

ESP 701 - Introduction to Special Education and Legal Issues  

Technology Course – Credits: 3

Complete 3 credits from the following list of courses or other advisor-approved courses.

CIT 601 - Technology Applications Elementary Curriculum  

Assessment Course – Credits: 3

Complete 3 credits from the following list of courses or other advisor-approved courses.

ESP 763Q - Data-Based Decision Making and Growth Models   

Gifted Education Courses – Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits from the following list of courses or other advisor-approved courses.

ESP 717G - Seminar in Advanced Curriculum Development ​ 

ESP 741 - Introduction to Gifted Education  

ESP 742 - Dimensions of Giftedness  

ESP 743 - Teaching Models in Gifted Education  

ESP 745 - Experiential Learning in Gifted Education  

ESP 746 - Creativity in Gifted Education  

ESP 747 - Contemporary Considerations Gifted Education  

Elective Courses – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits of advisor-approved courses.

Licensure Fieldwork Courses – Credits: 9 (Optional)

Students requiring Nevada state licensure must complete 9 credits of fieldwork.

ESP 720 - Field Experience in Special Education  

Degree Requirements 

See Plan Degree Requirements below.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 7 Requirements: Learning Disabilities Track


Total Credits Required: 36

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 6

EPY 702 - Research Methods  

ESP 722 - Multicultural Perspectives in Special Education  

Special Education Courses – Credits: 18

Complete 18 credits from the following list of courses, or other advisor-approved courses. 

ESP 701 - Introduction to Special Education and Legal Issues  

ESP 707 - Theories of Learning Disabilities  

ESP 708 - Advanced Education Strategies for Students with Disabilities  

ESP 709 - Diagnostic and Prescriptive Assessment for Diverse Learners  

ESP 717 C - Seminar in Advanced Curriculum Development  

ESP 727 - Technology in Special Education  

Elective Courses – Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits of advisor-approved courses. 

Licensure Fieldwork Courses – Credits: 8 (Optional)

Students requiring Nevada state licensure must complete 8 credits of fieldwork from one of the following courses:

ESP 720 - Field Experience in Special Education  

ESP 737C - Learning Disabilities  

Degree Requirements 

See Plan Degree Requirements below.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 8 Requirements: Other Professional Areas Track


Total Credits Required: 36

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 6

EPY 702 - Research Methods  

ESP 722 - Multicultural Perspectives in Special Education  

Special Education Courses – Credits: 15

Complete 15 credits of advisor-approved course work in special education.

Elective Courses – Credits: 15

Complete 15 credits of advisor-approved course work.

Degree Requirements 

See Plan Degree Requirements below.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 9 Requirements: Early Childhood Special Education Infant Track


Total Credits Required: 36

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 6

EPY 702 - Research Methods  

ESP 722 - Multicultural Perspectives in Special Education  

Early Childhood Special Education Courses – Credits: 15

ESP 771 - Perspectives on Early Childhood Special Education  

ESP 772 - Family Education in Early Childhood  

ESP 773 - Assessment for Young Children with Disabilities  

ESP 775 - Strategies for Early Childhood Special Education  

ESP 779 - Early Intervention Service Coordination  

Cognate Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses.

ESP 774 - Seminar in Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Special Education  

ESP 776 - Strategies for Working with Infants and Toddlers in Early Childhood Special Education  

ESP 778 - Behavior Management for Early Childhood  

Elective Course – Credits: 3

Complete 3 credits of advisor-approved course work. 

Fieldwork Courses – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits from the following list of courses, or other advisor-approved course work. 

ESP 780 - Field Experience in Early Childhood Special Education ラ Infancy  

Degree Requirements 

See Plan Degree Requirements below.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 10 Requirements: Early Childhood Special Education Preschool Track


Total Credits Required: 36

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 6

EPY 702 - Research Methods  

ESP 722 - Multicultural Perspectives in Special Education  

Early Childhood Special Education Courses – Credits: 15

ESP 771 - Perspectives on Early Childhood Special Education  

ESP 772 - Family Education in Early Childhood  

ESP 773 - Assessment for Young Children with Disabilities  

ESP 774 - Seminar in Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Special Education  

ESP 775 - Strategies for Early Childhood Special Education  

Cognate Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses.

ESP 778 - Behavior Management for Early Childhood  

ESP 779 - Early Intervention Service Coordination  

Elective Course – Credits: 3

Complete 3 credits of advisor-approved courses.

Fieldwork Course – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits from the following list of courses, or other advisor-approved course work. 

ESP 781 - Field Experience in Early Childhood Special Education ラ Preschool/Kindergarten  

Degree Requirements 

See Plan Degree Requirements below.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Plan Degree Requirements


  1. Previous course work included in submitted graduate plans of study must have a grade of B or better. Only two subsequent grades of less than B- (one with an ESP or ECE prefix and one with any other prefix) will be permitted in a submitted plan of study. Under no circumstances will a Grade Point Average (GPA) of less than 3.00 be allowed on a finished plan of study. Failure to meet these standards will result in suspension from the degree program.
  2. For Nevada state licensure, students must complete a total of 8 credits of fieldwork; any additional credits will not count towards the degree program.
  3. In order to be endorsed in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) the following four courses must be completed in addition to the courses required as part of the degree program:

TESL 751 – Theories of second language acquisition
TESL 752 – TESL Methods and Materials
TESL 753 – TESL curriculum
TESL 754 – TESL Assessment Procedures

  1. Students must successfully complete and pass a comprehensive examination.
    1. The comprehensive examination is taken during the student’s last semester of coursework or in the semester immediately following completion of coursework listed on the student’s Program of Studies. If students opt to take the comprehensive exam the semester after completion of the coursework listed on their Program of Studies, they must enroll in ESP 766 or another graduate course. Per Graduate College Guidelines, students must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 hours of coursework the semester they graduate.
    2. Students must apply to take comprehensive examinations. Specific application deadlines are available in the Department of Educational and Clinical Studies.
    3. If a student does not pass their comprehensive examination on the first attempt, they must wait 30 days after written notification from the department to reschedule the exam. This will be done in consultation with the student’s advisor.
    4. A student may retake their comprehensive examination once.
  2. Master’s degrees must be completed within a six-year period and continuous enrollment must be maintained throughout the six years, unless a formal request for a leave of absence is approved by the department and Graduate College.

Plan Graduation Requirements


The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements for the program.