Special Education-Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) M.Ed. - Major Code 6880

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The M.Ed. Special Education - Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) program aligns with NSU’s focused mission of “empower[ing] individuals to become socially responsible global citizens by creating and sustaining a culture of learning and discovery.” In like manner, this program empowers teachers to sustain a culture of learning for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and all other disabilities. One in every 50 school-aged children have been identified with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); an increase from one in 88 just last year (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). The goal of this proposed program is to prepare teachers to effectively educate students with ASD and other disabilities. The program includes three components: professional education, special education, and enrichment courses. These three components lead to a final culminating capstone experience.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Graduate College

The minimum requirements for regular admission to the Graduate College are:

An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
A grade point average of 2.5 based on a 4.0 scale on all undergraduate course work attempted; or a 2.75 based on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework attempted; or a minimum score on the appropriate graduate entrance exam.
All master’s degree candidates must take one of the following entrance exam tests MAT, GRE, or GMAT before the close of the first semester of enrollment in graduate studies. The degree program being pursued determines the test to be taken and the minimum score that is required.
Proof of citizenship for a U.S. citizen born outside of the United States and for a resident alien. An international applicant for whom English was the first language and is the spoken language in the home must sign a statement to that affect.
A score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 213 on the computer-based TOEFL for all applicants, U.S. citizens or international applicants, for who English is a second language.

Admission to Degree Program

During the initial meeting with the academic advisor, the graduate student will review the prerequisites and conditions necessary for formal admissions to the intended degree program. When all of the prerequisite conditions have been met, the graduate student will be formally admitted to the program using the program’s prescribed process. The signed program admission form will then be sent to the Graduate College for final certification.

Admission to M. Ed. Special Education - ASD Program

The graduate student must successfully meet the following requirements:

Admission to Graduate College
Score at 25+ percentile on the MAT Or 900+ (verbal + quantitative) on the GRE
For HB1233 participants, complete application prior to graduation
Complete Research: EDUC 5103 or intended EDUC 5143 (by the 18^th hour)
File approved degree plan
Be formally admitted to SPED program.
File signed Statement of Understanding
Meet all candidacy requirements (by 12^th hour)*
Request Final Degree Check during the semester prior to graduation
Apply for Graduation

*Candidacy requirements should be met within the first 12 hours.

Professional Education - 6 hrs. required

Special Education - 20 hrs. required

Enrichment Courses - 6 hrs. required

Select six hours from the list below. Exceptions to this list need approval from the Special Education program coordinator.

Capstone - 1 hr. required

SPED 5901 - Research on Teaching & Assessment of Students with ASD