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
- 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. There is also a concentration in Autism, which also 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.
Admission Requirements for 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.
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.
Admission Requirements for the Autism Concentration (non-certification) and the Overseas Program for Special Education, MA (non-certification)
In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, three recommendations are required.
Curricular Requirements
| Core Courses | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| SPE 500 | Intro Exc Childr/Youth | 3 |
| SPE 501 or | Diag Assess Except Chld Youth | 3 |
| SPE 576 | Assessment Young Childrn | |
| SPE 502 or | Adv Behav Mgt Spec Educt | 3 |
| SPE 581 | Psy Gift Tal Chld Yth | |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Overseas Program for Special Education, MA (non-certification)
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 | |
Autism (non-certification)
This is a non-certification program. Completion of this program does not lead to professional educator licensure or certification.
A minimum of 33 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| SPE 500 | Intro Exc Childr/Youth | 3 |
| SPE 501 | Diag Assess Except Chld Youth | 3 |
| SPE 502 | Adv Behav Mgt Spec Educt | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 9 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| SPE 531 | Intro to ASD | 3 |
| SPE 532 | EBP for Ind ASD | 3 |
| SPE 533 | Assessing Behavior Change | 3 |
| SPE 588 | Autism Practicum | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
| Other Coursework | ||
| Select 3 credits of BEF or BEP coursework from the following or contact advisor for additional approved courses: | 3 | |
BEF 503 or | History Of Amer Educn | |
BEF 507 or | Sociology Of Education | |
BEF 534 or | Multicultural Education | |
BEF 575 or | Found Educn Through Film | |
BEF 607 or | Readings In Soc Of Ed | |
BEF 639 or | Educ Theory And Policy | |
BEP 500 or | Adv Educational Psych | |
BEP 505 or | Motivation and Self-Regulation | |
BEP 541 or | Learning and Cognition | |
BEP 550 or | Life Span Development | |
BEP 565 or | Personality & Social Dev | |
BEP 570 or | Found. of Ed. Neuroscience | |
BEP 600 or | Contemp Educ Psych Prob | |
| Family, Sch., Community Relat. | ||
| CAT 531 | Computer Based Instruction | 3 |
| SPE 504 | Intro to Assistive Technology | 3 |
| SPE 520 | Early Language and Literacy | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Collaborative Special Education (K-6)
This course listing applies to candidates having appropriate prior certification who begin this program June 13, 2024, and thereafter. 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), and any additional assessments (if applicable), are required if changing areas of certification.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| SPE 500 | Intro Exc Childr/Youth | 3 |
| SPE 501 | Diag Assess Except Chld Youth | 3 |
| SPE 502 | Adv Behav Mgt Spec Educt | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 9 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| SPE 503 | Masters Seminar In Spe | 3 |
| SPE 514 | Teach Consult Model Spe (Teach Consult Model SPE) | 3 |
| SPE 591 | Adv Academc Methods Elem (Adv Academic Methods Elem) | 3 |
| SPE 596 | Collaborative Practicum | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
| Other Coursework | ||
| Select 3 hours of BEF coursework from the following or contact advisor for additional approved courses. | 3 | |
BEF 503 or | History Of Amer Educn | |
BEF 507 or | Sociology Of Education | |
BEF 510 or | Phil Hist Socl Founds Ed | |
BEF 534 or | Multicultural Education | |
BEF 575 or | Found Educn Through Film | |
BEF 585 or | Language Politics & Education | |
BEF 607 or | Readings In Soc Of Ed | |
BEF 650 or | Theories of Race and Education | |
BEF 667 or | Multicult Soc Ed Leadershp | |
| Ethics And Education | ||
| CAT 531 | Computer Based Instruction | 3 |
| SPE 590 | Intro Mild Disabilities (Intro to Mild Disabilities) | 3 |
| SPE 593 | Intro Severe/Profound Disabili | 3 |
| SPE 594 | Methods Severe Disabilty | 3 |
| Select ONE of the following Courses: | 3 | |
| Creative Prob Solving | ||
| Expanding Reading | ||
| Begin Rding Pre-K-Prim Grades | ||
| Concepts of EC/ELE School Math | ||
| Early Child/Elem Math Curr Res | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 39 | |
Collaborative Special Education (6-12)
This course listing applies to candidates having appropriate prior certification who begin this program June 13, 2024, and thereafter. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| SPE 500 | Intro Exc Childr/Youth | 3 |
| SPE 501 | Diag Assess Except Chld Youth | 3 |
| SPE 502 | Adv Behav Mgt Spec Educt | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 9 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| SPE 503 | Masters Seminar In Spe | 3 |
| SPE 514 | Teach Consult Model Spe (Teach Consult Model SPE) | 3 |
| SPE 592 | Adv Academc Methods Sec | 3 |
| SPE 596 | Collaborative Practicum | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
| Other Coursework | ||
| Select 3 credits of BEF coursework from the following or contact advisor for additional approved courses. | 3 | |
BEF 503 or | History Of Amer Educn | |
BEF 507 or | Sociology Of Education | |
BEF 510 or | Phil Hist Socl Founds Ed | |
BEF 534 or | Multicultural Education | |
BEF 575 or | Found Educn Through Film | |
BEF 585 or | Language Politics & Education | |
BEF 607 or | Readings In Soc Of Ed | |
BEF 650 or | Theories of Race and Education | |
BEF 667 or | Multicult Soc Ed Leadershp | |
| Ethics And Education | ||
| CAT 531 | Computer Based Instruction | 3 |
| SPE 590 | Intro Mild Disabilities (Intro to Mild Disabilities) | 3 |
| SPE 593 | Intro Severe/Profound Disabili | 3 |
| SPE 594 | Methods Severe Disabilty | 3 |
| SPE 597 | Transition In Special Ed | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 39 | |
Early Childhood Special Education
This course listing applies to candidates having appropriate prior certification who begin this program June 13, 2024, and thereafter. 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), and any additional assessments (if applicable), are required if changing areas of certification.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| SPE 500 | Intro Exc Childr/Youth | 3 |
| SPE 576 | Assessment Young Childrn | 3 |
| SPE 502 | Adv Behav Mgt Spec Educt | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 9 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| SPE 571 | Educ Yng Child W/Disablt | 3 |
| SPE 578 | Meth Tch Yng Child W/Dis | 3 |
| SPE 575 | ECSE Practicum | 6 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
| Other Coursework | ||
| SPE 572 | Early Childhood Development | 3 |
| BER 550 | Eval Classroom Learning (required if an evaluation course was not part of the undergraduate program or another graduate program) | 3 |
| CAT 531 | Computer Based Instruction | 3 |
| Select 3 credits of BEF coursework from the following or contact advisor for additional approved courses: | 3 | |
BEF 503 or | History Of Amer Educn | |
BEF 507 or | Sociology Of Education | |
BEF 510 or | Phil Hist Socl Founds Ed | |
BEF 534 or | Multicultural Education | |
BEF 575 or | Found Educn Through Film | |
BEF 585 or | Language Politics & Education | |
BEF 607 or | Readings In Soc Of Ed | |
BEF 650 or | Theories of Race and Education | |
BEF 667 or | Multicult Soc Ed Leadershp | |
| Ethics And Education | ||
| Choose 3 hours from the following courses or an advisor-approved elective. | 3 | |
CRD 511 or | Begin Rding Pre-K-Prim Grades | |
CEE 580 or | Concepts of EC/ELE School Math | |
CEE 581 or | Early Child/Elem Math Curr Res | |
INTE 532 or | Instructional Tech Design | |
| Online Teaching and Learning | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Gifted Education
This course listing applies to candidates having appropriate prior certification who begin this program June 13, 2024. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| SPE 500 | Intro Exc Childr/Youth | 3 |
| SPE 501 | Diag Assess Except Chld Youth | 3 |
| SPE 581 | Psy Gift Tal Chld Yth | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 9 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| SPE 582 | Teach Gifted And Taltd | 3 |
| SPE 583 | Creative Prob Solving | 3 |
| SPE 584 | Spec Populatn Gift Educ | 3 |
| SPE 589 | Internship Gift/Talent | 6 |
| (Two 3-hour internships are required or 3 hours may be approved from a previous Class A certification program.) | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 15 | |
| Other Coursework | ||
| BER 500 | Intro Educatn Research (or an advisor-approved BER course) | 3 |
| SPE 585 | Teaching Thinking Skills | 3 |
| Advisor Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Select 3 credits of BEF coursework from the following or contact advisor for additional approved courses. | 3 | |
BEF 503 or | History Of Amer Educn | |
BEF 507 or | Sociology Of Education | |
BEF 510 or | Phil Hist Socl Founds Ed | |
BEF 534 or | Multicultural Education | |
BEF 575 or | Found Educn Through Film | |
BEF 585 or | Language Politics & Education | |
BEF 607 or | Readings In Soc Of Ed | |
BEF 650 or | Theories of Race and Education | |
BEF 667 or | Multicult Soc Ed Leadershp | |
| Ethics And Education | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Severe Disabilities
This course listing applies to candidates having appropriate prior certification who begin this program June 13, 2024, and thereafter. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| SPE 500 | Intro Exc Childr/Youth | 3 |
| SPE 501 | Diag Assess Except Chld Youth | 3 |
| SPE 502 | Adv Behav Mgt Spec Educt (Or SPE 581) | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 9 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| SPE 593 | Intro Severe/Profound Disabili | 3 |
| SPE 594 | Methods Severe Disabilty | 3 |
| SPE 597 | Transition In Special Ed | 3 |
| SPE 595 | Severe Practicum | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
| Other Coursework | ||
| SPE 506 | Working W/Families | 3 |
| SPE 514 | Teach Consult Model Spe | 3 |
| CAT 531 | Computer Based Instruction | 3 |
| Advisor Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Advisor Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
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 (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.