Master of Science in Special Education, Degree Requirements

At the mandatory orientation meeting, students will complete a program planner with the Masters degree program coordinator.  This program planner will assist students in taking courses in their appropriate sequence.  Course offerings are somewhat limited at the Masters degree level so it is important that students take courses in the advised sequence.  Students will therefore need to be available to take courses on whatever night, day, and semester they are offered.   

1.  Complete Prerequisites:

• Development (3 units):  EDP 301 or 302  Child or Adolescent Development
• Statistics and measurement (3 units):  EDP 400  Introduction to Educational Measurement and Statistics
• Individual differences (3 units):  EDP 350  Education of Exceptional Individuals
• Special Education credential or equivalent experience

2.  Degree Requirements

A minimum of 30 units of upper division and graduate courses with a minimum of 21 units at the 500/600-level taken at CSULB.  Degree requirements include the following courses:

• Core Courses (15 units):
  • EDP 546C  Practicum in Special Education
  • EDP 550 Emerging Perspectives in Special Education  (Fall semester only)
  • EDP 535 Collaborative Partnerships and Effective Communication in School Settings  (Spring semester only)
  • EDP 542 Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication (Spring semester only)
  • EDP 566 Career Planning and Transition for Youth and Adults with Disabilities (Fall semester only)
• One of the following Advanced Methods Courses:
  • EDP 563 (Moderate/Severe)
    or
  • EDP 565 (Mild/Moderate)  (Both Fall semester only)
• Electives to meet the required minimum of 30 units selected with a special education faculty advisor
• One of the following in consultation with faculty advisor:
  • Comprehensive Exam pathway (6 units)
  • EDP 520 Research Methods in Education
  • 695S Seminar in Special Education (Spring semester only), and written comprehensive exam (Spring semester only)
    or
  • Thesis pathway (9 units) EDP 520 Research Methods in Education, and 698 Thesis

Last update: 6/21/07