Mar 29, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Special Education


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Office: Lawrence Street Center, 701
Telephone: 303-315-6300
Fax: 303-315-6311
E-mail: education@ucdenver.edu
Website: www.ucdenver.edu/education

The Special Education (SPED) program offers three options: an MA degree, an MA degree plus Special Education Generalist Endorsement, Ages 5-21 endorsement, and an endorsement only. The SPED program emphasizes the development of reflective practitioners through trans-disciplinary training, fosters reflective inquiry about teaching and learning, as well as the development of the skills, knowledge, and dispositions necessary to teach in elementary and secondary classrooms serving students with disabilities. Reflection and inquiry provide an informed and integrated basis for advocating for all learners.

The time needed to complete the various special education generalist program options varies based on previous experience, coursework, and needs of students. In addition to traditional on-campus offerings, a wide selection of courses are available in online formats. During the academic year, core special education courses are typically scheduled in late afternoons and evenings to avoid conflict with teaching responsibilities. 

If you are NOT a teacher and are seeking an initial teaching license in Special Education, please see our Master of Arts in Teaching  program.

If you are interested in the Early Childhood Special Education Specialist (Birth-8 years) endorsement, please see the Early Childhood Special Education Specialist Endorsement  program.

MA SPED Degree, MA Degree + SPED Endorsement, and SPED Endorsement Only

MA Degree:               

      (no license or endorsement)

MA Degree + Endorsement

Endorsement Only

Special Education

MA in Special Education with Special Education  Generalist Endorsement, Ages 5-21

Special Education Generalist Endorsement, Ages 5-21

 The Master of Arts (MA) in Special Education offers two degree paths:

  1. MA in Special Education (Personalized Professional): The customizable 30 credit hour MA path provides the opportunity for you to tailor your coursework to your specific needs as an educator. Students have the flexibility to choose courses from across all SEHD programs for additional learning from the from the Thematic Course Categories list to allow for a more in-depth approach to the field. The Thematic Course Categories is a collection of courses across all SEHD disciplines designed to allow students to expand student learning. This MA does NOT lead to a license or an endorsement. 
  2. MA plus endorsement: The MA plus endorsement allows students to complete an MA, and add a SPED Generalist Ages 5-21 endorsement to their current teaching license. Recommendation for endorsement is made by the SPED Program, but endorsement is granted by the State of Colorado. Individual State requirements vary and may include teaching experience and in addition to a valid teaching credential. Students should consult with the Colorado Department of Education or the state in which they wish to be endorsed for the most updated endorsement requirements.

MA in Special Education

The 30 credit hour Personalized Professional MA path provides the opportunity for you to personalize your coursework to your specific professional goals as an educator. This MA does NOT lead to a license or an endorsement. A current teaching license is not required for the Personalized Professional MA.

Students in this MA degree plan will choose 3 courses (9 credits) from the SPED core course options. Then, in consultation and with approval from, your faculty advisor, select 5 courses from the Thematic Course Categories to customize your learning (15 credits). Finally, take a research course (3 credits) and then complete the Capstone course (3 credits) for a total of 30 credits. 

This degree plan does not include a license or an endorsement.

SPED Core Courses: Choose 3 (9 credits)

*Pre-requisite: SPED 5140

Thematic Course Categories: (15 credits)

In consultation and with approval from, your faculty advisor, select five courses from the Thematic Course Categories to customize your learning.

  • Course 1
  • Course 2
  • Course 3
  • Course 4
  • Course 5

Concentration Courses: (6 credits)

RSEM 5080 - Research In Schools  

SPED 5401 - Advanced Seminar in Special Education  

Total Credit Hours 30

MA in Special Education with Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-21) Endorsement

The MA in Special Education with added Special Education Generalist endorsement is designed for currently licensed teachers seeking career advancement and the expertise needed to work effectively with students with special needs and from diverse backgrounds. The program is fully accredited by the Colorado Department of Education and the Council for Exceptional Children.

Special Education (21-24 credits)**

Advanced Study (9 credits)

Total Credit Hours 30-33

* Pre-requisite: SPED 5140

** Based on a comprehensive record review (ie. teaching experience & classroom placements), SPED 5933 : Internship & Site Seminar (Approximately 192 Hours or 24 days) may be required at the discretion of SPED program faculty.

Special Education Generalist Endorsement Only

Added Special Education Endorsement to License

To be endorsed as a special education generalist for grades ages 5-21, a teacher must hold a bachelor’s degree from a four-year accepted institution of higher education, be licensed at the elementary or secondary level, have completed the plan of study from one of the program options for the preparation of special education generalist, have passed the state special education assessment, and have demonstrated all required state and national standards.

This course plan does NOT lead to MA degree.

Courses:

Listed in recommended sequence

Minimum 24 Credit Hours

* Pre-Requisite: 5140

** Based on a comprehensive record review (ie. teaching experience & classroom placements), SPED 5933 : Internship & Site Seminar (Approximately 192 Hours or 24 days) may be required at the discretion of SPED program faculty.

Admission Deadline: Rolling Admissions

Active Status:

Students must complete their programs within seven years, maintaining a GPA of 3.0. Students typically take four courses each calendar year. Failure to enroll over three contiguous semesters will result in a requirement to submit readmission materials.

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