Graduate Bulletin
Document Number 3.02.04

SPECIAL EDUCATION

[1] Objectives

The main purpose of the MSE program in Special Education is to prepare collaborative special education teachers skilled in providing quality instruction to students representing a broad scope of abilities. The master's degree program in special education is designed to meet the performance standards of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and the National Board for Professional Teaching (NBPTS). The performance-based program contains two tracks designed in accordance with the Arkansas Instructional Specialist Licensure requirements: Collaborative Instructional Specialist Ages 0-8 and Collaborative Instructional Specialist Grades 4-12.

The program is a 36-graduate credit hour program organized around eighteen hours of core coursework and eighteen hours of coursework specific to each track. Candidates are required to meet the performances linked to the core courses prior to beginning one of the tracks. Candidates holding a teaching license in special education may request a transcript analysis by a graduate faculty advisor to determine possible substitutions or electives in the core courses portion of the program of study. Courses in the program must be taken in the sequence listed to ensure the progressive building of a common core of candidate knowledge, skills, and dispositions as described in the Arkansas Instructional Specialist Principles and CEC standards. The program offers a context for NBPTS Exceptional Needs standards. Candidates interested in National Board Certification must meet with a designated faculty advisor prior to completing nine hours of graduate course work.

[2] Admission Requirements

Admission into both the Ages 0-8 track and the Grades 4-12 track of the program will be selective and competitive. Contact the Department of Early Childhood and Special Education (450-3172) for specific application deadlines and course rotations.

In addition to the general application and GPA requirements of the UCA Graduate School, applicants must

Submit a valid general education teaching license in the age group specific to the selected Instructional Specialist Track (ages 0-8 or grades 4-12) or a special education teaching license.
Submit appropriate scores on the Graduate Record Examination.
Complete a program admissions interview with an acceptable rating.

Students will be allowed to transfer a maximum of 6 graduate credit hours to the program.

[3] Program of Study

[3.1] Core Courses, Required for Both Tracks

ECSE 6300, 6302, 6304, 6306, 6308, and ASTL 6380

[3.2] Required Courses for Instructional Specialist Ages 0-8 Track

ECSE 6322, 6330, 6327, 6337, 6270 and 6271

[3.3] Required Courses for Instructional Specialist Grades 4-12 Track

ECSE 6350, 6365, 6366, 6367, 6370, and 6371

For information on Special Education Licensure coursework visit the Department of Early Childhood and Special Education webpage: http://www.uca.edu/divisions/academic/coe/ecse

[4] Graduate Courses in Early Childhood and Special Education (ECSE)

Follow this link for ECSE course descriptions: course link.

[5] Graduate Courses in Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning (ASTL)

Follow this link for ASTL course descriptions: course link.

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