Special education graduate programs are designed to help bring improvements to the educational services offered to exceptional children. Courses of study leading to the Educational Specialist (EdS) degree and Class AA professional educator certification in the education of exceptional children are listed below:
Traditional Class AA programs are available in
- collaborative education
- early childhood special education
- gifted and talented
Admissions
In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission an application must:
- have earned a master's degree with appropriate prerequisite Class A certification
- hold valid master's level certification in a teaching field
- submit three recommendations (applicants to a College of Education program that leads to professional certification must submit references from current and former professors and/or supervisory personnel knowledgeable of the applicant's academic and professional capabilities.)
Applicants must also meet the fingerprinting requirement for background clearance.
Admission to the Graduate School is not equivalent to "unconditional admission" to a state-approved educator preparation program.
A composite GRE score of 300 or better is required for all candidates, irrespective of degree program, who are seeking an appointment as a college-sponsored Graduate Assistant.
See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.
Curricular Requirements
Collaborative (K-6, 6-12), Class AA
This course listing applies to candidates having appropriate prior certification who begin this program June 1, 2017. Candidates earning graduate credit prior to this date may elect to utilize this program. Candidates must present a GPA of at least 3.50 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C. Credits used for the previous Class A support certificate may not be used for this program.
Candidates admitted to the Class AA program without prior Class A certification in collaborative or an approved area of special education must take the following courses in addition to the coursework below: SPE 590, SPE 591 or SPE 592,SPE 594, SPE 501 (or the equivalent), and SPE 596. Up to three semester hours of the prerequisite work may be used to meet the elective requirements in this program.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum and Teaching: | ||
| SPE 613 | Consult Proc Spe Progs | 3 |
| Foundations of Professional Studies: | ||
| (Choose ONE of these SDE approved diversity courses.) | 3 | |
| History Of Amer Educn | ||
| Sociology Of Education | ||
| Multicultural Education | ||
| Found Educn Through Film | ||
| Readings In Soc Of Ed | ||
| Critical Race Theory In Educ | ||
| Multicult Soc Ed Leadershp | ||
| Ethics And Education | ||
| Educational Research: | ||
| BER 540 | Statistical Methods In Educ | 3 |
| BER 631 | Inqry As Interp: Qual I | 3 |
| BER 660 | Eval I:Theory & Practice | 3 |
| Teaching Field: | ||
| SPE 623 | Issues in Collaborative Education | 3 |
| SPE 624 | Adv. Curr. Workshop: Collab. | 3 |
| SPE 616 | Adv. Professional Development | 3 |
| SPE 617 | SPE Leadership | 3 |
| Additional requirements/electives: | ||
| SPE 606 or | Topical Seminar In Spe | 3 |
| SPE 533 | Assessing Behavior Change | |
| Advisor approved elective | 3 | |
| SPE 500 is required if a special education survey course was not part of the undergraduate program or another graduate program. | 0-3 | |
| Total Hours | 33-36 | |
Early Childhood Special Education (P-3), Class AA
This course listing applies to candidates having appropriate prior certification who begin this program June 1, 2017. Candidates earning graduate credit prior to this date may elect to utilize this program. Candidates must present a GPA of at least 3.50 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C. Credits used for the previous Class A support certificate may not be used for this program.
Candidates admitted to the Class AA program without prior Class A certification in early childhood special education must take the following courses in addition to the coursework below: SPE 576 (or its equivalent), SPE 571, SPE 578, SPE 594, and SPE 579. Up to three semester hours of the prerequisite work may be used to meet the elective requirements in this program.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| SPE 613 | Consult Proc Spe Progs | 3 |
| Foundations of Professional Studies: | ||
| (Choose ONE of these SDE approved diversity courses.) | 3 | |
| History Of Amer Educn | ||
| Sociology Of Education | ||
| Multicultural Education | ||
| Found Educn Through Film | ||
| Readings In Soc Of Ed | ||
| Critical Race Theory In Educ | ||
| Multicult Soc Ed Leadershp | ||
| Ethics And Education | ||
| Educational Research: | ||
| BER 540 | Statistical Methods In Educ | 3 |
| BER 631 | Inqry As Interp: Qual I | 3 |
| BER 660 | Eval I:Theory & Practice | 3 |
| Teaching Field: | ||
| SPE 606 | Topical Seminar In Spe | 3 |
| SPE 616 | Adv. Professional Development | 3 |
| SPE 617 | SPE Leadership | 3 |
| SPE 621 | Issues in Special Education: Early Childhood | 3 |
| SPE 622 | Adv. Curr. Workshop:Early | 3 |
| Additional requirements/electives: | ||
| Advisor approved elective | 3 | |
| SPE 500 is required if a special education survey course was not part of the undergraduate program or another graduate program. | 0-3 | |
| Total Hours | 33-36 | |
Gifted (P-12), Class AA
This course listing applies to candidates having appropriate prior certification who begin this program June 1, 2017. Candidates earning graduate credit prior to this date may elect to utilize this program. Candidates must present a GPA of at least 3.50 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C. Credits used for the previous Class A support certificate may not be used for this program.
Candidates admitted to the Class AA program without prior certification in gifted must take the following courses in addition to the coursework below: SPE 581, SPE 582,SPE 583, SPE 501 (or its equivalent), and SPE 589 (S.E.W.). Up to three semester hours of the prerequisite work may be used to meet the elective requirements in this program.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| SPE 613 | Consult Proc Spe Progs | 3 |
| SPE 617 | SPE Leadership | 3 |
| Foundations of Professional Studies: | ||
| (Choose ONE of these SDE approved diversity courses.) | 3 | |
| History Of Amer Educn | ||
| Sociology Of Education | ||
| Multicultural Education | ||
| Found Educn Through Film | ||
| Readings In Soc Of Ed | ||
| Critical Race Theory In Educ | ||
| Multicult Soc Ed Leadershp | ||
| Ethics And Education | ||
| Educational Research: | ||
| BER 540 | Statistical Methods In Educ | 3 |
| BER 631 | Inqry As Interp: Qual I | 3 |
| Teaching Field: | ||
| SPE 681 | Issues In Gifted Educ | 3 |
| SPE 612 | Readg Research In Spe | 6 |
| SPE 682 | Adv Curr Workshp Gift Educatio | 6 |
| Additional requirements/electives: | ||
| Advisor approved elective (SPE 606 Bibliotherapy is recommended.) | 3 | |
| SPE 500 is required if a special education survey course was not part of the undergraduate program or another graduate program. | 0-3 | |
| Total Hours | 33-36 | |
Transfer Credit
Graduate School information on Transfer Credit.
Comprehensive Exam
Students complete a comprehensive examination during their last semester of coursework. Dates for comprehensive examinations are announced at the beginning of each semester. Students must be registered for at least one hour in order to take comprehensive examinations per Graduate School policy. The student’s advisor/chair will write the comprehensive examination questions in view of each student’s course of study. The comprehensive examination will be delivered via Blackboard, and students will have 10 consecutive days to complete their questions. Comprehensive examination responses are subject to evaluation for plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty as outlined in the code of student conduct. Two graders will grade the comprehensive examinations. A third reviewer will be added if there is not agreement of pass/fail among the original two readers.
Graduate School information on Comprehensive Exams.
Fieldwork/Practicum/Internship Requirements
Students enrolled in College of Education courses that require a clinical placement should obtain professional liability insurance. Professional liability insurance may be purchased through an independent insurer or is available to students who are members of the Student Alabama Education Association (SAEA).
Time Limit for Degree Completion
Graduate School information on Time Limits.
Additional Academic Requirements
Electronic Learning Management System Requirement
A designated, electronic learning management system is required of all students in programs leading to professional educator certification.
Academic Misconduct Information
Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.
Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information
Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leave of Absence.
Academic Grievances Information
Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.
Grades and Academic Standing
Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.
Graduate School Deadlines
Information on Graduate School Deadlines.
Application for Graduation
Information on the Application for Graduation.
Certification
The Alabama State Department of Education grants Class AA professional educator certification in special education (collaborative, early childhood special education, or gifted). To be eligible, students must hold appropriate prerequisite Class A certification and must complete all requirements for the EDS degree in the chosen program as described in this catalog, including Praxis subject assessment(s) (if applicable).
To be awarded Alabama Class AA Special Education certification, students must:
- earn a passing score on a comprehensive assessment covering the content of the program,
- maintain a GPA of at least 3.5 (effective July 1, 2017) on all courses with no grade below a C,
- hold a valid, appropriate, prerequisite Alabama certificate, and
-
complete the State Department of Education certification application forms
Students must complete the proper application form for Alabama certification. Forms are available online through the Alabama State Department of Education. Applications should be submitted to Student Services in 104 Carmichael Hall at least one semester in advance of graduation. A student who does not apply for professional certification within 60 months after completing the state-approved program will be required to meet the current program. Students who plan to seek employment in other states must secure the proper professional licensure application forms from those states' departments of education.
The certification programs of the department have been designed to fulfill current requirements of the Alabama State Board of Education. The state requirements change from time to time and, accordingly, the department's requirements and programs are subject to change.
The associate dean for student services in the College of Education has been designated the teacher certification officer for the University. Students who need information about or assistance with certification should consult the associate dean for student services.