MS - Special Education Major (Ohio)
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree program with a major in Special Education is offered in an online format. The program is designed for practicing classroom teachers seeking training in special education for students with mild to moderate disabilities. Candidates will complete a 33-credit hour M.S. program, which aligns to the initial licensure standards established by the Council for Exceptional Children state licensure requirements for Ohio, and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation's advanced-level program standards. Courses are designed to provide participants with methods and materials to serve students with exceptionalities through mild to moderate intervention. Candidates completing this program qualify for Ohio state licensure.
Prior to applying to the program, candidates seeking licensure are responsible for being knowledgeable of the licensure requirements of their state and whether or not IWU's MS Program will satisfy the requirements of the state in which they are seeking licensure.
Upon completion of this program, candidates should be able to:
- Identify diverse cultural and linguistic needs and utilize available technologies to develop culturally responsive learning plans.
- Use knowledge of general and specialized curricular content to individualize learning for students with exceptionalities.
- Select and administer appropriate assessments and analyze data from multiple sources to make data-driven decisions for students with exceptionalities
- Select evidence-based instructional strategies and resources and implement them effectively to meet exceptional learning needs.
- Demonstrate the ability to create safe, inclusive learning environments by implementing evidence-based behavioral interventions for students with exceptionalities.
- Collaborate with families, colleagues, related service providers, and other stakeholders to provide appropriate learning experiences for students with exceptionalities.
- Use foundational knowledge of the field and the professional Ethical Principles and Practice Standards to develop ethical, legally compliant communications and learning plans for students with exceptionalities.
- Demonstrate ethical, Christ-like attitudes, values, and biblical worldview in their professional behaviors with colleagues and students with exceptionalities.
- Demonstrate strength in the following dispositional domains: Communication, Critical Thinking, Human Interaction, Leadership, and Professionalism.
- Demonstrate the ability to use research with an understanding of qualitative, quantitative and/or mixed methods research methodologies.
- Demonstrate ethical, Christ-like attitudes, values, and biblical worldview that encompass professional dispositions, laws and policies, codes of ethics and professional standards appropriate to classroom teaching in their professional behaviors.
- Apply advanced knowledge of student learning suitable for any student.
- Apply data literacy to develop or sustain supportive school environments.
- Apply self-reflection and data analysis to improve their own teaching.
- Demonstrate the ability to lead and participate in collaborative activities with others, such as peers, colleagues, teachers, administrators, community organizations, and parents.
- Apply technology appropriate for their field of specialization.
- Demonstrate cultural knowledge and culturally responsive teaching that promotes student and school success.
- Apply content knowledge and skills that the courses and other experiences of this advanced preparation emphasize.
- Integrate global philosophies into their own educational practices.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for the M.S. program are as follows:
Field and Clinical Experience Requirements
All candidates must complete field and clinical experiences embedded within the special education courses.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate from the M.S. program, candidates must have completed the following:
- Successful completion of the M.S. curriculum.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in all graduate work and a minimum grade of "B-" in each course.
- Successful completion of twelve credit hours (undergraduate or graduate level) of teaching of reading courses – including at least one, 3-credit hour course in phonics.
- Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.
MS - Special Education Major (Ohio) - Program of Study
Special Education Courses
Field experiences will be required in some courses.
| EDSE-510 | Foundations in Language and Literacy Instruction | 3 |
| EDSE-520 | Individualized Assessment and Data-Based Reading Interventions | 3 |
| EDSE-530 | Research-Based Behavior Interventions | 3 |
| EDSE-540 | Strategies and Interventions for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders | 3 |
| EDSE-550 | Collaboration With Families and Professionals | 3 |
| EDSE-560 | Professional Learning and Ethical Practices | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Core Courses
Field experiences will be required in some courses.
