Degree and Certificate Programs

Master of Science in Education Degree

Special Education

Program Offices: IUB, Education 3211, (812) 856-8123.

Both the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses offer, for regular and special education teachers, special education certification and master's degree programs in Exceptional Needs: Mild Intervention. Non-education majors also may earn a basic teaching license with special education certification at both campuses. For certification information, see the section titled Licensure Programs. Master's programs may be tailored to meet students' specific needs and interests. Students typically complete this degree as a sequel to earning certification in one or more areas of specialization.

The master's degree program on the Bloomington campus provides teachers and other practitioners with an opportunity to develop skills in teaching students who display problems in learning and behavior. The program offers teachers course work for improving and broadening their teaching skills, and unlicensed teachers an opportunity to earn certification in exceptional needs: mild intervention for teaching students with learning disabilities. The program offers courses in curriculum and assessment, teaching methods, personnel teaming and collaboration, assistive technology, and other aspects of special education.

Master's degree programs in severe disabilities and transition planning are available only at IUPUI. Since 2002, the Indiana University School of Education at IUPUI has offered a merged certification in both mild and intense intervention. Eligible candidates must be certified teachers.

Admission to the master's program in special education requires, in addition to meeting School of Education standards, an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 and one year of full-time professional experience with children or adolescents (preferably in teaching or applied practice). To earn a master's degree in special education, students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours. Depending on their interests and professional goals, students may specialize in teaching persons with learning disabilities, mild mental handicaps, emotional handicaps, or severe mental handicaps, or those in early childhood. Select from the following courses to complete at least 36 credit hours:

Special Education Bloomington  PENDING APPROVAL

I. Special Education Core Courses (24 cr.) 

K505 Introduction to Special Education for Graduate Students (3 cr.), pre-requisite, not part of degree

  • S500 Orientation Seminar (2 cr.), fall
  • K535 Assessment and Remediation of the Mildly Handicapped I (3 cr.)
  • K536 Assessment and Remediation of the Mildly Handicapped II (3 cr.), P: K535 , fall
  • K548 Families, School, and Society (3 cr.), summer
  • K553 Classroom Management and Behavior Support (3 cr.), spring
  • K565 Collaboration and Service Delivery (3 cr.), fall
  • Y510  Action Research (3 cr.) OR  Y520 Strategies for Educ ation Inquiry (3 cr.)
  • K500 Research Seminar (1cr.), P: Y510 or Y520, fall
  • K590 Capstone or K599 Thesis (3cr.), P: Y510 or Y520

II. Specialty Tracks (12 cr.); others may be available

  • Autism
  • Behavior Specialist
  • Instructional Strategies

 Note:  Six credit hours of course work outside special education are required to complete the master's degree. These courses, which must be approved by the student's advisor, may be selected from courses offered within or outside the School of Education.

Special Education Indianapolis

Required (9 cr.)

  • J500 Instruction in the Context of Curriculum (3 cr.)
  • H520 Education and Social Issues (3 cr.) or H530 Philosophy of Education (3 cr.) or H504 History of Education (3 cr.)
  • Y520 Strategies for Educationtal Inquiry (3 cr.)

Specialized Studies in special education (12 cr hrs)

Electives (9 cr., 6 cr outside special education)

Master's project, thesis or courses (6cr)

Academic Bulletins

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Additional program information can be found at the Office of Graduate Studies.