Special Education-Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), M.Ed.

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 coursework 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:

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

Professional Education - 6 hrs. required

• EDUC 5103 - Educational Research
• EDUC 5483 - Advanced Educational Measurements

Special Education - 20 hrs. required

• SPED 4263 - Assistive Technology Strategies and Universal Design for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
• OR    SLP 5343 - Augmentative & Alternative Communication
• SPED 5203 - Evidence-Based Strategies & Curriculum Design for Students with ASD
• SPED 5303 - Positive Behavioral Supports for Students with ASD
• SPED 5323 - Response to Intervention and Assessment of Students with ASD
• SPED 5803 - Practicum in ASD
• SPED 5812 - Seminar: Administration of Special Education Programs
• READ 5113 - Emergent & Early Literacy Development
• OR  READ 5223 - Intermediate/Middle School/High School Reading Instruction

Enrichment Courses - 6 hrs. required

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

• ECED 5563 - Diversity Issues in Early Childhood
• ECED 5713 - Advanced Study, Cognitive Development of Young Children
• ECED 5813 - Utilization of Resources in Early Childhood
• LIBM 5313 - Advanced Materials for Young Adults
• LIBM 5513 - Information Resources and Services
• READ 5323 - Literacy Assessment
• READ 5480 - Applied Assessment
• READ 5510 - Seminar: Literacy Trends & Issues
• SLP 4813 - Language Development
• SLP 5222 - Early Intervention

Capstone - 1 hr. required

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

Total Credit Hours: 33 including Capstone

Accelerated B.S.Ed. Special Education-Mild/Moderate Disorders to M.Ed. Special Education-Autism Spectrum Disorders

Note:  Please refer to Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program  for complete information concerning Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Programs.  Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for bachelor’s degree requirements.

IMPORTANT:

• Students admitted to the Accelerated B.S.Ed. Special Education-Mild/Moderate Disorders to M.Ed. Special Education-Autism Spectrum Disorders degree program will complete 8 hours of graduate level credit to apply toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
• Students will complete SPED 4263 as part of the B.S.Ed. program with an additional assignment for graduate students.
• Students who do not follow the approved degree plan may become ineligible to continue in the accelerated degree program.
• Prior to completing the undergraduate degree, if the undergraduate GPA, graduate GPA and/or overall GPA fall below a 3.00, the student becomes ineligible to continue in the ADP.
• Students may withdraw from an approved accelerated degree pathway.  Graduate credit hours completed prior to the student withdrawing or becoming ineligible to continue in the ADP apply toward the undergraduate degree only.