Masters Degree

 

There are two Master's Degrees offered in special education.  Each degree has specific requirements.  The application for admission to the Graduate College will request that the student indicate which degree they are selecting. Faculty members will assist, if requested.

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

The M.Ed. is intended for practitioners who focus their studies on professional education issues and specialize in special education. It is the degree that most students choose who are seeking special education endorsements.

Master of Arts (M.A.)

The M.A. degree is intended for people who wish to have a broader graduate program where significant course work, or a minor area of study outside one's specialty is desired.  The M.A. degree also offers the option of writing a thesis as a part of their program.

Most special education students apply for M.Ed. programs which most readily permit completion of concurrent endorsement programs in the shortest possible program.  However, M.A. programs offer the option of writing a thesis which is not available for the M.Ed.  Since the application for admission requires applicants to choose to apply for only one of these two Master's Degrees, applicants should carefully consider their interests and consult with a special education faculty member before deciding for which degree program to apply.
 
Masters Degree Options

The student must select one of the following options for either the M.Ed. or M.A. degree with their academic advisor to structure their programs of studies for the degree:

Option I: For research, scholarly work or college or university teaching.  Student must earn minimum of 30 semester hours: 20-24 hours of regular course work and present a thesis equivalent to 6-10 hours.  At least one half required work, including thesis must be taken in one major subject (at least 18 hours for Master's of Education degree)  Remaining work may be in supporting courses or in minor consisting of at least 9 semester hours.  Eight hours credit, in addition to thesis, must be earned in courses open exclusively to graduate students (900-level or 800-level without 400 or lower counterparts).

Option II: Student must earn a minimum of 36 semester hours of credit in courses representing a major and either one or two minors.  A thesis is not required.  A program consisting of a major and one minor must include no fewer than 18 hours in the major and 9 hours in the minor.  If two minors are elected, the major must total at least 15 hours and the minors at least 9 hours each.  In either case, at least 12 of the 36 hours must be earned in courses open exclusively to graduate students (900- or 800-level without 400 or lower counterparts)  In work for the Master's of Education degree, at least 6 semester hours selected from education courses outside the major must be included and supporting work may be substituted for the minor(s).

Option III: Especially for scholarly work in chosen field past Master's level.  Permits substitution of more intensive work in advanced courses for thesis or minor.  Student must earn minimum of 36 semester hours, at least 18 of which must be in courses open exclusively to graduate students (900- or 800-level without 400 of lower counterparts).  Program must include no fewer than 18 hours in the major.  Option III is not open for the Master's of Education degree.
 
Master's Degree Requirements

Applications for Admission. A Graduate College Application, Departmental Application, and several other materials are required for admission to a Master's Degree program.

Credits After Admission. The student must complete at least 18 hours of graduate credit after being admitted to the Department and Graduate College. While it is possible to begin taking graduate courses before being admitted to a degree program, early application for admission is encouraged.

Research Design and Statistics Course Work. All students pursuing a Master's Degree in Special Education must complete a course in Research Design (3 credits) or Research Analysis or Statistics (3 credits). Appropriate recent course work at an undergraduate or graduate level may fulfill these requirements, with the approval of the advisor. If needed, specific courses will be approved by the academic advisor for each student but may be selected from the following (or their equivalent):

EDUC 800 Foundations of Educational Research (3)
EDUC 900A-K Methods in Educational Research (2)
EDPS 859 Statistical Methods (3)
EDPS 860 Application of Advanced Statistics (3)
SLPA 854Research Methods (3)

Filing of Program. Before the completion of the last 18 credits and after being admitted by the Graduate College and Department, the student's program of study, which incorporates the choice of Option discussed earlier, is filed with the Graduate College on the Memorandum of Courses form. This form is completed in cooperation with the student's academic advisor.

Written Comprehensive Exams. All students pursuing the Master's Degree in Special Education will be required to complete a four-hour written Comprehensive Examination within ten (10) months of the planned graduation date. Part 1: Register online at www.ets.org for the Praxis II Exam #0353: Special Eductaion: Knowledge Based Core Principles (1 hr). Indicate that the scores are to be submitted to UNL using the UNL test score recipient code of 0173. The content of the exam will reflect general knowledge of special education, the student's specialty in special education, and a supporting or minor area.  Specialty and supporting areas will be designed in cooperation with the academic advisor.

Part 2: Essay Exam (3 hrs) Offered three times a year, Masters comps must be take within ten months prior to the planned graduation. It consists of applied essay questions in the student's area of specialization, essay questions addressing and integrataive support area. Applications to take the Written Comprehensive Examination are available from the departmental secretary and must be submitted to the academic advisor by September 15 (for Fall), February 15 (for Spring), or May 5 (for Summer). An application form and information regarding the Written Comprehensive Examination is linked from this document. Advisors will assist in applying for and preparing for these exams.

Application for Graduation and Timelines. When course work and comprehensive exams are completed, students must apply for graduation and comply with other procedures and deadlines established by the Graduate College.

For more information on the Masters Programs, contact a Special Education faculty member in the area of your interest or the Graduate Secretary.