Special Education M.A./M.S.
The College of Education offers comprehensive programs for the professional preparation of students in special education. A master’s degree in special education may be completed in conjunction with state licensure in special education or may be completed independently. For licensing information see “Programs Leading to Licensure: Special Education” on Special Education Licensure Programs.
Students completing a master’s degree must complete the special education master’s degree core program. The master’s core must total at least 9 credits. The remaining credits are drawn from the special education licensure program or other courses approved by the advisor. No more than 6 credits of 800-level courses may be used, and courses numbered 808 are not allowed. The master’s degree without Oregon licensure must total at least 45 credits (which includes the master’s core).
Core Courses
Students must complete SpEd 596 Topics in Special Education Research before SpEd 597 Topics in Special Education Issues and Practices. Topics such as Literacy, English Language Learners, Positive Behavior Intervention Supports, and Students with Significant Disabilities are offered. Students must fulfill a capstone experience by choosing either to complete a special project (SpEd 506) or a master’s thesis (SpEd 503) under the direction of a faculty advisor. The special project (SpEd 506) must include a written product and presentation and align with the topic area chosen for SpED 597. With advisor approval students may take up to 9 credits of SpEd 596 and 9 credits of SpEd in three topic areas. Students opting to complete a thesis will follow Portland State University theses guidelines. Students are required to enroll in 3-6 credits of Special Project (SpEd 506) or 6-9 credits of Thesis (SpEd 503).
The master’s degree program includes:
| | Advisor approved courses (from licensure program or electives) | 30-36 |
| SpEd 596 | Topics in Special Education Research | 3 |
| SpEd 597 | Topics in Special Education Issues and Practices | 3 |
A combination of the following:
Visually Impaired Learners Focus
Students completing the Master’s program with a focus on Visually Impaired Learners have the option of completing the Master’s core program as described above or to complete SpEd 596, SpEd 597, an additional 6 elective hours in special education AND complete a proctored, written master's comprehensive examination.
For students with a focus on Visually Impaired Learners completing the master’s degree program includes:
| | Advisor approved courses (from licensure program or electives) | 30-36 |
Option 1:
| SpEd 596 | Topics in Special Education Research | 3 |
| SpEd 597 | Topics in Special Education Issues and Practices | 3 |
A combination of the following:
Option 2:
| | Electives with advisor approval | 6 |
| | Complete proctored master's comprehensive examination | |
Inclusive Elementary Educator Program
Students completing the Master’s program as part of the Inclusive Elementary Educator Program must satisfy the special education Master’s core program requirements by completing the required courses as follows:
| Ed 530 | Introduction to Inclusion and Special Education | 2 |
| Ed 536 | Educational Research and Inclusive Education | 3 |
| SpEd 506 | Special Project | 6 |
| | or | |
| SpEd 503 | Thesis | 6 |