Graduate Programs

Learning outcomes

1. Effectively teach students who have a wide range of cognitive, physical, emotional, and learning disabilities.
2. Understand current, credible research findings on disability, instruction, assessment and behavior management.
3. Provide enriched learning opportunities for students with disabilities in self contained classrooms, resource rooms or general education classrooms.

The Special Educator initial endorsement program prepares teachers to work with students with mild disabilities and students with severe disabilities. The Oregon Teachers Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) requires each student to be authorized to teach at one of two age-level authorizations: (1) early childhood/elementary or (2) middle school/high school. All endorsement course work taken at the 500 level can be included in the M.S. in Education: Special Education degree.

The Special Educator I program is designed for teachers who hold or are eligible to hold a valid initial teaching license. Six quarters of full-time training are required to complete the program.

The Special Educator II program is designed for students who do not hold a teaching license. Six quarters of full-time training are required to complete this program.

Common Core (Special Educator I and II): 33 credits

• SPED 518 Survey of Special Education (3 credits)
• SPED 620 Content Reading and Instructional Planning (3 credits)
• SPED 622 Reading Remediation (3 credits)
• SPED 623 Behavior Support (3 credits)
• SPED 625 Assessment for Instruction (3 credits)
• SPED 628 Mathematics Remediation (3 credits)
• SPED 632 Medical Aspects of Low Incidence Disabilities (3 credits)
• SPED 633 Low Incidence Disabilities Methods (3 credits)
• SPED 636 Managing Communication Systems (3 credits)
• SPED 642 Standardized Assessment (3 credits)
• SPED 646 Law and Special Education (3 credits)

Course of Study Options

• MS in Education: Special Education - 45 credits
  • Special Educator I:
    • Early Childhood/Elementary Authorization
    • Middle School/High School Authorization
  • Special Educator II:
    • Early Childhood/Elementary Authorization
    • Middle School/High School Authorization