Special education graduate programs are designed to bring improvements to the educational services accorded to exceptional children. Courses of study leading to the Master of Arts (MA) degree and Class A professional educator certification in the education of exceptional children are listed below:
Class A certification programs are available in
- autism
- collaborative education
- early childhood special education
- gifted
- severe disabilities
Additionally, an Overseas master's degree program in Special Education is available to overseas students. The Overseas Program does not lead to professional licensure or certification.
While the Graduate Catalog is published annually, program checklists for state-approved certification programs may be updated more frequently and are thus likely to provide the most up-to-date information about requirements. Students should refer to the appropriate program checklists for their teaching fields and consult their advisors before registering each semester.
Admissions
In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission an application must be aware of the admission requirements established by the Alabama State Department of Education.
See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.
Traditional Class A Certification Programs
For admission to traditional Class A programs of study in collaborative education, early childhood special education, or gifted and talented education, the appropriate prior certification must be held in a teaching field.
For admission to the Class A program of study in severe disabilities, the appropriate prior certification must be held in an appropriate area of special education.
For admission to the Class A program of study in autism, the prior certification must be held in an appropriate area of special education.
Three recommendations are required. (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.
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.
Non-Certification Overseas Program for Special Education, MA
In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, three recommendations are required.
Curricular Requirements
Autism, Class A
This course listing applies to candidates having appropriate prior certification in an area of special education. Candidates earning graduate credit prior to this date may elect to utilize this program. Candidates must present a GPA of at least 3.25 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C. Passing scores on the appropriate Praxis subject assessment(s) are required if changing areas of certification.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SPE 531 | Intro to ASD | 3 |
| Choose ONE of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro to Assistive Technology | ||
| Early Language and Literacy | ||
| Foundations of Professional Studies | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| History Of Amer Educn | ||
| Sociology Of Education | ||
| Multicultural Education | ||
| Found Educn Through Film | ||
| Readings In Soc Of Ed | ||
| Educ Theory And Policy | ||
| Adv Educational Psych | ||
| Motivation and Self-Regulation | ||
| Learning and Cognition | ||
| Life Span Development | ||
| Personality & Social Dev | ||
| Found. of Ed. Neuroscience | ||
| Contemp Educ Psych Prob | ||
| Family, Sch., Community Relat. | ||
| Educational Research | ||
| SPE 501 | Diag Assess Except Chld Youth | 3 |
| Technology | ||
| CAT 531 | Computer Based Instruction | 3 |
| Teaching Field | ||
| SPE 502 | Adv Behav Mgt Spec Educt * | 3 |
| SPE 532 | EBP for Ind ASD | 3 |
| SPE 533 | Assessing Behavior Change | 3 |
| SPE 588 | Autism Practicum | 3 |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Advisor-approved course related to content/special focus area | 3 | |
| SPE 500 is also required if a special education survey course was not completed as part of the undergraduate program or another graduate program. | 0-3 | |
| Total Hours | 30-33 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| * | State-approved diversity course |
Collaborative (K-6), Class A
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 3.25 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C. Passing scores on the appropriate Praxis subject assessment(s) are required if changing areas of certification.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum and Teaching: | ||
| SPE 502 | Adv Behav Mgt Spec Educt * | 3 |
| SPE 503 | Masters Seminar In Spe | 3 |
| SPE 514 | Teach Consult Model Spe | 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: | ||
| SPE 501 | Diag Assess Except Chld Youth | 3 |
| Technology: | ||
| CAT 531 | Computer Based Instruction | 3 |
| Teaching Field: | ||
| SPE 591 | Adv Academc Methods Elem | 3 |
| SPE 594 | Methods Severe Disabilty | 3 |
| SPE 596 | Collaborative Practicum | 3 |
| Choose ONE of the following: | 3 | |
| Creative Prob Solving | ||
| Expanding Reading | ||
| Begin Rding Pre-K-Prim Grades | ||
| Concepts of EC/ELE School Math | ||
| Early Child/Elem Math Curr Res | ||
| Additional requirements: | ||
| SPE 590 | Intro Mild Disabilities | 3 |
| SPE 593 | Intro Severe/Profound Disabili | 3 |
| SPE 500 is required if a special education survey course (or the following MAP courses: 311, 312, 413 and 414) was not completed as part of the undergraduate program or another graduate program. | 0-3 | |
| Total Hours | 36-39 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| * | SDE approved diversity course |
Collaborative (6-12), Class A
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 3.25 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C. Passing scores on the appropriate Praxis subject assessment(s) are required if changing areas of certification.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum and Teaching: | ||
| SPE 502 | Adv Behav Mgt Spec Educt * | 3 |
| SPE 503 | Masters Seminar In Spe | 3 |
| SPE 514 | Teach Consult Model Spe | 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: | ||
| SPE 501 | Diag Assess Except Chld Youth | 3 |
| Technology: | ||
| CAT 531 | Computer Based Instruction | 3 |
| Teaching Field: | ||
| SPE 592 | Adv Academc Methods Sec | 3 |
| SPE 594 | Methods Severe Disabilty | 3 |
| SPE 597 | Transition In Special Ed | 3 |
| SPE 596 | Collaborative Practicum | 3 |
| Additional requirements/electives: | ||
| SPE 590 | Intro Mild Disabilities | 3 |
| SPE 593 | Intro Severe/Profound Disabili | 3 |
| SPE 500 is required if a special education survey course (or the following MAP courses: 311, 312, 413, and 414) was not completed as part of the undergraduate program or another graduate program. | 0-3 | |
| Total Hours | 36-39 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| * | SDE approved diversity course |
Early Childhood Special Education (P-3), Class A
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 3.25 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C. Passing scores on the appropriate Praxis subject assessment(s) are required if changing areas of certification.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| SPE 571 | Educ Yng Child W/Disablt | 3 |
| SPE 572 | Early Childhood Development | 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: | ||
| SPE 576 | Assessment Young Childrn | 3 |
| BER 550 is also required if an evaluation and learning course was not part of the undergraduate program or another graduate program. | 0-3 | |
| Technology: | ||
| CAT 531 | Computer Based Instruction | 3 |
| Teaching Field: | ||
| SPE 502 | Adv Behav Mgt Spec Educt * | 3 |
| SPE 578 | Meth Tch Yng Child W/Dis | 3 |
| SPE 575 | ECSE Practicum | 6 |
| Additional requirements/electives: | ||
| (Choose ONE of the following or another advisor approved elective.) | 3 | |
| Begin Rding Pre-K-Prim Grades | ||
| Concepts of EC/ELE School Math | ||
| Early Child/Elem Math Curr Res | ||
| SPE 500 is required if a special education survey course was not completed as part of the undergraduate program or another graduate program. | 0-3 | |
| Total Hours | 30-36 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| * | SDE approved diversity course |
Gifted (P-12), Class A
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 3.25 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C. Passing scores on the appropriate Praxis subject assessment are required.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| SPE 582 | Teach Gifted And Taltd | 3 |
| SPE 583 | Creative Prob Solving | 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 500 | Intro Educatn Research | 3 |
| SPE 501 is also required if an assessment/evaluation course was not part of the undergraduate program or another graduate program. | 0-3 | |
| Teaching Field: | ||
| SPE 581 | Psy Gift Tal Chld Yth | 3 |
| SPE 584 | Spec Populatn Gift Educ * | 3 |
| SPE 585 | Teaching Thinking Skills | 3 |
| SPE 589 ** | 3 | |
| SPE 589 or 3 hours from a previous Class A certification program | 3 | |
| Additional requirements/electives: | ||
| Advisor approved elective in content or special interest area (counseling, geography, space science workshop, children's literature, etc.) | 3 | |
| SPE 500 is required if a special education survey course was not completed as part of the undergraduate program or another graduate program. | 0-3 | |
| Total Hours | 30-36 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| * | SDE approved diversity course |
| ** | Total internship hours of at least 300 clock hours at the P-12 level are required. |
Severe Disabilities, Class A
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 3.25 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| SPE 593 | Intro Severe/Profound Disabili | 3 |
| Foundations of Professional Studies: | ||
| SPE 506 | Working W/Families | 3 |
| Educational Research: | ||
| SPE 501 | Diag Assess Except Chld Youth | 3 |
| Technology: | ||
| CAT 531 | Computer Based Instruction | 3 |
| Teaching Field: | ||
| SPE 502 | Adv Behav Mgt Spec Educt * | 3 |
| SPE 514 | Teach Consult Model Spe | 3 |
| SPE 594 | Methods Severe Disabilty | 3 |
| SPE 597 | Transition In Special Ed | 3 |
| Additional requirements: | ||
| SPE 595 | Severe Practicum | 3 |
| Additional courses from advisor approved cognate (Early, Autism, Assist Tech, Transition) | 6 | |
| 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 | |
Non-Certification Overseas Program for Special Education, MA
This is a non-certification program offered only to overseas students. Completion of this program does not lead to professional educator licensure or certification.
A minimum of 30 hours of course credit must be earned, and a comprehensive exam must be successfully completed. Candidates must present a GPA of at least 3.25 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Group I Special Education Courses | ||
| AREA 1. Required Courses. Students select either SPE 500 or SPE 571. | 3 | |
SPE 500 or | Intro Exc Childr/Youth | |
| Educ Yng Child W/Disablt | ||
| AREA 2. Program Specifics | ||
| SPE 501 | Diag Assess Except Chld Youth | 3 |
| SPE 502 | Adv Behav Mgt Spec Educt | 3 |
| SPE 503 | Masters Seminar In Spe | 3 |
| SPE 506 | Working W/Families | 3 |
| SPE 514 | Teach Consult Model Spe | 3 |
| AREA 3. Educational Research | ||
| BER 500 | Intro Educatn Research | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 21 | |
| Group II: Electives | ||
| Students select THREE courses from the list below. Students may also choose courses not taken from the Group I list above or courses specifically approved by the Office of International Programs. | 9 | |
| Counseling Skills | ||
| Med Aspects | ||
| Multicultural Education | ||
| Eval Classroom Learning | ||
| Second Language Acquisition | ||
| Tch English For Lang Prog/Pol | ||
| Expanding Reading | ||
| Begin Rding Pre-K-Prim Grades | ||
| Impr Read Second Schools | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Transfer Credit
For Traditional Class A programs, credits used for previous Class B certification(s) may not be used for the Class A program.
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. Comprehensive examination responses are subject to evaluation for plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty as outlined in the code of student conduct.
Graduate School information on Comprehensive Exams.
Fieldwork/Practicum/Internship Requirements
Clinical Placements
All Class A programs require extensive field experiences in diverse settings. The majority of field experiences must occur in P-12 schools, and at least half of the field experiences shall be in the candidate’s teaching field.
Professional Liability
Students enrolled in College of Education courses that require a clinical placement should have 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
As required for traditional Class A certification, students must earn a GPA of at least 3.25 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C.
A student completing requirements for a master's degree during a semester or summer session who does not need a full class load to meet those requirements may, with approval of the advisor and department head, register for additional courses toward a Class AA professional educator certificate, not to exceed the maximum prescribed class load.
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 A professional educator certification in special education (autism; collaborative, K-6; collaborative, 6–12; early childhood special education, P-3; gifted, P-12; or severe disabilities, P-12). The Associate Dean for Student Services in the College of Education has been designated as the teacher certification officer for The University. Students who need information about or assistance with certification should consult the associate dean for student services.
To be eligible for Class A certification, candidates must hold appropriate prerequisite certification and must successfully complete all requirements for the MA degree in the chosen program as described in this catalog, including a comprehensive assessment, state assessments (if applicable), and Praxis subject assessment(s) (if applicable). It is important to remember that the awarding of a master's or higher degree does not necessarily imply that the student is eligible for Class A certification.
To be awarded Alabama Class A certification, students must:
- maintain a GPA of at least 3.25 on all courses with no grade below a C,
- receive a passing score on a comprehensive assessment covering the content of the curriculum (MA seeking candidates only),
- earn a passing score on the required Praxis subject assessment(s), if applicable
- earn a passing score on Foundations of Reading 190, if applicable.
Students must complete the proper application form(s) 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 during the student's last semester. An individual who completes an Alabama State-approved program must submit an application for Alabama certification within 60 calendar months of the program completion date. A student who does not apply for professional licensure within 60 months after completing the state-approved program will be required to meet the current program. The Class A certificate is valid for five years and may be renewed according to regulations of the Alabama State Department of Education. Individuals are responsible for meeting renewal requirements and submitting the application for renewal.
Students who plan to teach in other states must secure the proper professional licensure application forms from those states' departments of education. Students planning to teach outside the state of Alabama are held personally responsible for knowledge of professional licensure requirements in those states.
According to Alabama regulations, individuals admitted to a Class A program based on a professional educator certificate from another state must earn the prerequisite Alabama certification before applying for Alabama Class A (master's level) certification.
The certification programs of the department have been designed to fulfill current requirements of the Alabama State Department of Education. The state requirements change from time to time and, accordingly, the department's requirements and programs are subject to change.