Special Education, MSEDU

The 30-hour master’s degree can be completed on a part-time basis over the course of five semesters (2.5 calendar years). The courses are offered in a face-to-face format for local students and in an online format for those students who are not local. Students taking the online version of the program attend courses virtually and can interact with professors and classmates in real-time. All classes take place in the evenings to allow teachers to complete their workday prior to attending class. Taking the GRE is not required for entry. Admission is accepted for both Fall and Spring semesters, however the core courses begin in Fall semesters, therefore a Spring admission may not be appropriate unless the student requires some prerequisite coursework. 

The master’s degree has three options for specialization. The focus area the student chooses will shape the coursework, research projects, and clinical experiences in which the student will participate. The focus areas include: 

1. The Moderate and Severe Disabilities Track is available for teachers who hold certification in moderate and severe disabilities. 

2. The Learning and Behavior Disorders Track (not available online) is available for teachers who hold certification in learning and behavior disorders. 

3. The Assistive Technology track is open to teachers with either type of certification in special education. 

 

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the master of science in special education program, students need to be certified in special education or have an undergraduate degree in special education. Students must have a minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.75. 

 

Degree Requirements

Total credit hours 

• 30 hours 

 

Core requirements

Core requirements include the following courses: 

• EDS 601 CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS   (3) 
• EDS 618 ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF PROBLEM BEHAVIOR  (3) 
• EDS 630 ADVANCED METHODS FOR TEACHING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES   (3) 
• EDS 633 SINGLE CASE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY  (3) 
• EDS 634 LEADERSHIP IN SPECIAL EDUCATION  (3) 
• EDS 768 RESIDENCE CREDIT FOR THE MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM  (1-3) 

 

Additional coursework by Focus Area: 

MSD Focus 

• EDS 631 ADVANCED PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS WITH MODERATE AND SEVERE DISABILITIES  (3) 
• EDS 632 ADVANCED PRACTICUM: MODERATE AND SEVERE DISABILITIES  (6) 

LBD Focus 

• EDP 557 /EPE 557 GATHERING, ANALYZING, AND USING EDUCATIONAL DATA  (3) 
• EDS 610 ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT FOR STUDENTS WITH MILD DISABILITIES  (3) 
• EDS 611 CONTEMPORARY TRENDS AND ISSUES IN THE EDUCATION OF STUDENTS WITH MILD DISABILITIES.  (3) 

AT Focus 

• EDS 640 ASSISTIVE TEACHING  (3) 
• EDS 641 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT  (3) 
• EDS 648 COORDINATING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS  (3) 

 

Electives 

Students may choose from 2-5 credit hours of electives including: 

• EDC 454G /EPE 454G CULTURE, EDUCATION AND TEACHING ABROAD  (3)
• EDC 724 GUIDING AND ANALYZING EFFECTIVE TEACHING  (3) 
• HDI 604 INTERDISCIPLINARY LEADERSHIP SEMINAR  (2) 
• HDI 605 INTERDISCIPLINARY LEADERSHIP PRACTICUM  (2) 
• Select from EDL Teacher Leadership Courses (2) 

 

https://education.uky.edu/edsrc/eds/degrees-programs/masters/