Program Requirements
The Master of Education degree in Special Education ensures that students are knowledgeable in the field of special education. The program in Special Education prepares students in one of the following areas: emotional/behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, or intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program is approved by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and follows guidelines prescribed by CEC. The prescribed program of study enables students to identify important legal and policy issues in special education, demonstrate knowledge of the research processes within the field of special education, demonstrate knowledge of specific characteristics of individuals with mild disabilities and implement research-validated interventions for students with disabilities in a variety of settings. Successful graduates evaluate critically the literature in the field, recognize and evaluate current issues and problems in special education and identify potential solutions for these problems.
Graduate students must satisfy requirements of the Graduate School, complete the approved program of study for the degree, maintain a B average in all graduate work and pass a final comprehensive exam. The degree requires 36 credit hours. In addition to successfully completing all required coursework and final comprehensive exam, candidates must have on record scores for all Praxis II exams required by South Carolina for certification in their area of specialization (Learning Disabilities, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, or Emotional/ Behavioral Disorders) prior to graduation.
Admission Requirements
A complete application package must include a bachelor’s degree, a valid teaching certificate, two letters of recommendation, an undergraduate transcript with a grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (last 60 hours), and competitive GRE scores. Applications are considered on a rolling basis throughout the academic year.
