2022-2023 Catalog 
    
    Dec 11, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Arts in Education- Special Education


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School: California School of Education

Modality(ies): Online

Calendar(s): 8-week term

CIP Code: 13.1001

Program Description/Overview


The Master of Arts in Education (MAE): Special Education degree program consists of 10 courses (30 units) can be completed in less than a calendar year. This rigorous academic program covers the 12 Disability categories that are listed in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. Students learn the characteristics of a number of disabilities, therapeutic interventions, and differentiated instruction to address the learning needs of all students. Students learn federal Special Education law that governs K-12 school district in the United States.

Additionally, students tackle challenging issues facing Education today. The program teaches critical and analytical thinking skills and how to address rhetorical ploys and logical fallacies.

The program addresses ways to address the unique needs of English Language Learners (ELLs) and how to increase learning for this demographic of students.

Additionally, this program not only teaches how to effectively teach students who learn differently, but the affective domain of teaching and learning is addressed as well. This program teaches how to develop a classroom culture that is nurturing and emotionally safe, as well as addressing the cognitive and academic development of students.

This graduate degree program teaches instructional strategies for a diverse group of learners including people with specific learning disabilities, physical disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, mental health conditions, and people whose first language is not English. Differentiated instruction and therapeutic interventions to address people’s learning needs are all addressed throughout the curriculum. Federal Special Law is taught and the underlying values, beliefs, and professional practices that underlay the law is also covered.

Program Learning Outcomes/Goals


After completing this course of study, students will be able to do the following:

  • Describe characteristics of the 12 Disability Categories in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004
  • Learn therapeutic interventions to address the learning needs of students with special challenges to overcome
  • Learn how to develop lesson and unit plans with differentiated instruction to address to address the learning needs of all students
  • Develop a culturally sensitive mind-set and awareness of differences
  • Learn and develop analytical and critical thinking skills
  • Learn Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE) strategies to address the learning needs of students whose first language is not English
  • Learn federal Special Education law and its underlying values, beliefs, and practices.

Credit Units


Total Credit Units: 30

Total Core Credit Units: 30

Total Elective Credit Units: N/A

Total Concentration Credit Units: N/A

Curriculum Plan


8-Week Calendar


Transfer Option


Students in the Master of Arts in Education- Special Education with Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential  program who have completed all of the coursework requirements, except for the four Clinical Practice courses, but who are unable to pass the required CSET exam needed to be eligible to take these courses, may apply for this stand-alone MAE. Students who exercise this option cannot subsequently transfer back to the MAE with embedded credential program.

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