South Mountain University
Master of Arts in Education/Special Education
Master
of Arts in Education
Cross-Categorical Special Education
Program Description
The Master of Arts in Education (MAED) with a specialization in
Cross-Categorical Special Education is a graduate degree program
preparing candidates for teacher licensure in the field of
special education. Candidates for this program have already
earned a bachelor's degree and wish to gain the pedagogical
skills and knowledge that will assist them in becoming effective
special education educators. The program's curriculum includes
orientation to the exceptional child, foundations and
methodologies of mild disabilities, diagnosis and assessment of
disabilities, structured English immersion, reading and language
arts instruction, inclusion strategies, and collaboration and
resource management for the special educator.
Throughout the program, students are required to complete a
minimum of 100 hours of verified field experiences. The focus of
each observation will relate to specific course content.
Documentation will be maintained in the student's electronic
portfolio. Students' field experiences are designed to prepare
them for student teaching.
Student teaching is an integral component of the Special
Education Program. Student teachers work with a cooperating
teacher and with a University of Phoenix faculty advisor during
a field-based experience in a cross-categorical special
education setting. The student teaching experience is designed
to emphasize the achievement of state standards leading to
certification and to present individuals with growth
opportunities that best prepare them to assume the duties of a
certified teacher.
The degree program has a research component as well. This
component requires an Action Research Project. The project
integrates the theoretical aspects of special education and the
practical experience of the adult learner through the
identification and exploration of a significant problem related
to the student's area of professional responsibilities and
interest.
|
Course # |
Course Title Credits |
Prerequisite(s) |
|
MTE 507 |
Orientation to Teacher Education |
0 --- |
|
COM 516 |
Professional Communications |
1 --- |
|
SPE 513 |
Orientation to the Exceptional Child |
3 COM 516 |
|
MTE 509 |
Models, Theories, and Instructional Strategies |
2 COM 516 |
|
MTE 509E** |
E-portfolio evaluation for |
MTE 509 0 --- |
|
SPE 511 |
Special Education Methods |
3 SPE 513 MTE 509 |
|
SPE 511E** |
E-portfolio evaluation for |
SPE 511 0 --- |
|
SEI 500 |
Structured English Immersion |
3 |
|
SPE 512 |
Special Education Assessment & Interpretation |
3 SPE 511 |
|
SPE 548 |
Special Education Student Teaching: Cross Categorical, Seminar I |
2 SPE 512 SPE 511E |
|
SPE 548E** |
E-portfolio evaluation for |
SPE 548 0 --- |