Master's Degree in Education - Special Education
The Special Education M.A. Degree programs at CSUB are designed to provide candidates with knowledge and competence necessary for those who will take leadership roles in the field of Special Education. In order to apply and be admitted to the Special Education Masters Degree program, each candidate must complete an application form.
Program Design and Coursework Sequence
CSUB Special Education M.A. degree programs are designed to reflect the standards established by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and National Council on Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and all components of the program are congruent with the expectations set forth by the CEC.
Program Design
Phase I: Foundation and Basic Understanding
During the first program phase, "Foundation and Basic Understanding," special education credential candidates study how special education students relate to the entire spectrum of students enrolled in today's classrooms. It is critical for credential candidates at this level to develop a basic understanding of: (a) characteristics of students with Mild/Moderate/Severe Disabilities; (b) research in learning theories and instructional practices both in general education and special education; (c) communication and collaboration issues, and (d) issues related to the curriculum and instructional adaptation for special needs students (K-12).
Phase II: Skills Development
During the second programmatic phase, credential candidates will study and acquire specific knowledge and skills for assessing and teaching special needs students, behavior/classroom management through their coursework with built-in field experience components.
Phase III: Culminating Activities
In the third and final stage of the program, master’s degree candidates internalize what they have learned and experienced during the first two phases. Candidates are required to complete their culminating activities by either taking: (1) EDSP 693: Thesis, (2) EDSP 691: Project, or (3) EDSP 692: Examination.
Candidates are expected to form the Culminating Activities Committee at least two quarters prior to enrolling in the Culminating Activities (CA). The CA Committee is comprised of a chair, and two committee members. Two of the three members must be from the program faculty and one may be from another program.
Committee members' minimum qualifications include:
- M.A. or higher degree in Special Education or in the related field.
- Proven record of successful professional experience in Special Education.
- Approved by the program director or committee chair.
- Excellent interpersonal relationship.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to acquire committee members to serve on his/her Committee and to submit the completed CA Committee Form to the Graduate Studies Office in a timely manner.
- Special Education Master’s Degree Program Prerequisites:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum GPA 3.0 (4.0 scale)
- EDSP 501: Introduction to Education of Exceptional Children (5 units)
- Core Requirements for all M.A. Candidates in School of Social Sciences and Education:
- Core Requirements for all M.A. Candidates in School of Social Sciences and Education:
- EDRS 681: Research Design & Analysis in Education (3 units)
- EDSP 691: Master's Project in Special Education (5 units) or
- EDSP 692: Master's Examination in Special Education (5 units) or
- EDSP 693: Master's Thesis in Special Education (5 units).
- Core Requirements for both M/M and M/S:
- EDSP 503: Communication & Consultation
- EDSP 505: Class. Management & Positive Behavior support (5)
- EDSP 529: Voc. Educ. & Transition (3)
- EDSP 688: Research in Special Education (3)
- Electives (3 units)
| M/M (Mild/Moderate) | M/S (Moderate/Severe) |
|---|---|
| EDSP 506: Charac. Of M/M Disab (5) | EDSP 517: Charac. of M/S (5) |
| EDSP 508: Assessment of Sts. With M/M (5) | EDSP 631: Assessment of M/S (5) |
| EDSP 545: Instr Strategies for M/M Disab (5) | EDSP 632: Curr. & Inst. For M/S(5) |
M.A. Degree Program Application/Admission Procedures
- Apply for admission to CSUB on a post baccalaureate study.
- Attend the Orientation Meeting. Get application materials.
- Submit a complete application materials package by due date.
- Special Education program application form
- Three letters of recommendation
- Autobiography
- B.A. degree from accredited IHE –transcripts
- GPA 3.0 (4.0 scale).
- Writing competencies (41 or higher in CBEST writing section or the GWAR)
- Special Education program specification form completed by the faculty advisor
- Candidate Interview.
- Academic advising: Program Specification Form.
- Application/Admission Timelines.
Transfer Units
For M.A. Program, only 13 quarter units from other institutions may be transferred toward their Degree at CSUB, and they should have been taken within the past seven years.
Time Limit to Complete Requirements for Graduate Degrees
All the requirements for a master's degree should be completed within a seven-year period to include the filing and awarding of the degree. This means that no more than seven years may elapse between the start term of the earliest dated course and the date that the last course on the program is actually completed, and the application for graduation is filed. With outdated requirements the candidate may complete a Petition form for an extension of the time limit or substitution of other appropriate courses, but is not guaranteed that the courses will be accepted.
Requirements for Continuing in the Special Education Program
GPA
Candidates must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all required credential courses attempted after entry in the program. Candidates whose GPA falls below 3.0 will either be put on probation for one quarter or be asked to drop from the program.
Advancement through the Program
Candidates whose performance is judged to be inadequate in any phase will be expected to improve or repeat the problem courses before advancing to the next phase. The Special Education Program Faculty will meet regularly to discuss candidates’ progress and make recommendations that will best assist candidates to acquire the requisite professional skills and maintain the integrity of the program.