LSU SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

ADVANCED MASTER’S DEGREE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

2012-2013

Overview

LSU offers an Advanced Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in special education. The degree program is designed to expand the knowledge of certified special education teachers beyond initial teacher preparation by integrating knowledge and skills in the following specialty areas:  (a) assessment and evaluation; and (b) instructional and behavioral support.  Guided by the strong conviction that effective instruction for students with disabilities must be child centered, data driven, and outcome oriented, the M.Ed. in special education meets national and state standards and expectations set forth by organizations including the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and Louisiana Blue Ribbon Commission for advanced programs.

Program Structure

The M.Ed. in special education is a 36-semester-hour program beyond the baccalaureate degree.  It features a 12-hour core that includes 6 hours of course work in research and analysis and 6 hours in foundational special education content (i.e., legal issues, applied learning theory).  For the remaining coursework, candidates select from the aforementioned two areas of specialization.  The instructional and behavioral support specialization is aimed at providing advanced training in the design, delivery, and supervision of instructional and behavioral supports in schools. Included in the specialization is a 12-hour sequence of courses that focuses on mastery of applied behavior analytic principles for use in educational settings.  The assessment and evaluation specialization is aimed at providing advanced training in the assessment and evaluation of individual students and school programming. Candidates who successfully complete this sequence of courses are eligible for state certification for the position of educational diagnostician.

Upon entrance into the degree program, candidates pursuing the M.Ed. in special education are advised to begin by completing the four core courses (i.e., EDCI 7705, 7021; ELRC 4006; 4249; see accompanying pages for course titles and suggested sequence).  Once the core courses are completed, candidates then meet with one or more special education faculty members to complete the following activities:  (a) discuss the knowledge and skills learned while completing the core; and (b) choose a specialization and course path for completing the degree.  Once a plan is in place, candidates are encouraged to check in with special education faculty at the completion of 24 semester hours to ensure that adequate progress is being made toward the degree.  Near the end of the program – in the last semester of course work – candidates are required to successfully complete a comprehensive exam process that includes a take-home writing and an on-campus oral component.  The written exam will involve completion of three questions that focus on the following three areas:  (a) legal issues; (b) research methodology; and (c) the chosen specialization of the candidate.  The oral exam will involve the candidate developing and delivering a presentation on a project completed during a capstone specialization course (e.g., EDCI 7010 in the assessment and evaluation specialization; EDCI 7727 in the instructional and behavioral specialization).  Successful completion of the course work and comprehensive examination is necessary in order to obtain the M.Ed. in special education.

ADVANCED MASTER OF EDUCATION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Core Courses

Specializations (2)

Instructional and Behavioral Support

Assessment and Evaluation

^{* Louisiana Bulletin 746 requirements for Educational Diagnostician, taken from Subsection 663}