Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Special Populations, MEd


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The Special Populations Master’s Program prepares professionals for the high-needs field of Special Education. Graduates find abundant opportunities for challenging and rewarding careers.
 
The Master’s in Special Populations develops professional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills through:
  • College of Education Core Coursework
  • Special Education Content Coursework
  • Comprehensive Exam (or Master’s Thesis)
The Special Populations Master’s Program prepares educators to assume positions in:
  • Public and Private Early Childhood - 12th-grade school settings
  • Educational and Social Agencies
  • Foundations
  • Public and Private Research Organizations
  • Residential Facilities
Graduates with an M.Ed. in Special Populations may pursue the following careers:
  • Community College Instructors
  • Educational Diagnosticians
  • Special Education Teachers
  • EC-12 Team Leaders
  • EC-12 Department Chairs
  • EC-12 Special Education Coordinators/Administrators*
The program offers four areas of emphasis:
 

Admission Requirements


The College of Education takes into consideration a number of criteria when determining admission, including prior college or university performance, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores and statement of intent. All applicants must abide by the minimum qualifications for admissions to a masters or doctoral program. All graduate applicants (regardless of citizenship status) must demonstrate proficiency in English to obtain admission to the University. For more information, visit http://www.uh.edu/graduate-school/admissions/international-students/english-proficiency/.

An applicant is responsible for ensuring that all required materials for the evaluation of admissions are received by the College before the program’s deadline. If the application is not complete by the program’s deadline, it will not be evaluated for the admissions. Full details of the online application process can be found at www.uh.edu/graduate-school/admissions/how-to-apply.

Applicant checklist:

  1. Complete online graduate application including statement of interest, resume/c.v., letters of recommendation, and application fee payment.
  2. Official transcripts from all previous college/university work sent to the UH Graduate School
  3. Official reporting of GRE scores taken in the last five years
  4. International students have additional documentation requirements, which can be found at www.uh.edu/graduate-school/admissions/international-students/.

Grade Point Average Requirements

Admission requirements for the College of Education require a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.6 for undergraduate coursework or over the last 60 credit hours of coursework. The College requires a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for graduate coursework. The College’s admission committees evaluate all credentials submitted by applicants to determine a student’s ability and potential to succeed in graduate study. In addition, the committee is interested in the applicant’s potential to contribute to his/her program of study and the University community as a whole.

Degree Requirements


Credit hours required for this degree: 30.0

The curriculum for the M.Ed. in Special Populations Program involves the completion of specific coursework. This coursework is designed to be consistent with State of Texas Certification requirements and with the College of Education’s conceptual model.

Special Education Emphasis


21.0 Credit Hours

Offered Online

This emphasis focuses on obtaining the necessary capacity for working with students with disabilities, as well as meets certification requirements to teach special education (EC-12) in the state of Texas.

Students who complete the Special Education Emphasis:

  • Understand, assess, and evaluate the needs of students with disabilities to make instructional decisions.
  • Skillfully manage the teaching environment, including the use of assistive technology.
  • Promote students’ educational, behavioral and social performance.
  • Apply knowledge of transition issues and teaching across the lifespan.
  • Engage the roles and responsibilities of the teaching profession.

Educational Diagnostician Emphasis


21.0 Credit Hours​

Offered Hybrid (Online and Classroom)

This emphasis prepares students for certification as Educational Diagnosticians in Texas Public Schools. Students in this program currently hold a teaching certificate in the State of Texas. This program extends teachers’ special education expertise by developing the necessary skillset to assess and identify learning problems in children, consult with parents and teachers in a multidisciplinary setting, and assume leadership roles.

Students who complete the Educational Diagnostician Emphasis:

  • Understand federal and state disability criteria and identification procedures for determining the presence of an educational need.
  • Recognize the significance of diversity for evaluation, planning, and instruction.
  • Select, administer and interpret appropriate assessments and evaluations.
  • Understand appropriate curricula and instructional strategies for developing the academic, behavioral and social skills of students with disabilities.
  • Engage the roles and responsibilities of the teaching profession.

Gifted & Talented Emphasis


21.0 Credit Hours​

Offered Online

This emphasis prepares students to complete supplemental certification as Gifted and Talented while providing a thorough understanding of theory, research strategies, and best practices of gifted education.

Students who complete the Gifted & Talented Emphasis:

  • Understand the standards for providing comprehensive services incorporating research-based best practices for gifted and talented learners.
  • Recognize the significance of diversity for evaluation, planning, and instruction.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of assessment instruments and gifted/talented identification procedures that provide students an opportunity to demonstrate their diverse talents and abilities.
  • Meets the needs of gifted and talented students by modifying the depth, complexity, and pacing of the curriculum and instruction ordinarily provided by the school.

Special Education Leadership Emphasis


21.0 Credit Hours​

Offered Hybrid (Online and Classroom)

This emphasis prepares students who are working with learners with disabilities and other special needs to assume administrative roles* in special education in a K-12 school or at the district level. Develops students into special education leaders* that have the skills to address the complex issues surrounding educating students with challenges related to learning, social, and emotional needs.

Students who complete the Special Education Leadership Emphasis:

  • Apply current special education laws and policies to design and deliver inclusive special education and/or support for diverse students.
  • Provide leadership* and expertise in assessing, identifying, and implementing special education needs and to collaborate with related services and other personnel, including school psychologists, educational diagnosticians, speech therapists, administrators, and teachers.
  • Understand ethical decision making, innovative problem solving, and professional growth.
  • Understand appropriate curricula and instructional strategies for developing the academic, behavioral and social skills of students with disabilities.

Comprehensive Exam


Students in the M.Ed. in Special Populations Program may elect to complete either a written Comprehensive Examination or take and pass the relevant TExES Examination as part of a capstone to the program.

  • Comprehensive Exam
    The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies regularly schedules written exams that test a student’s comprehensive knowledge of the Special Populations Program area. Students have the option of taking a traditional written comprehensive examination. Students seeking certification may take the appropriate TExES Certification exam in lieu of the traditional written comprehensive examination. Students should apply for the exam in the last two semesters of their program through MyAdvisor. All students in the M.Ed. in Special Populations program must successfully complete the Master’s Comprehensive Examination. 
     
  • Thesis Option
    Students in the M.Ed. Special Populations program may elect to complete a thesis. This project typically involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of quantitative and/or qualitative data. While completing their thesis, students are required to complete a minimum of 6 hours of Master’s Thesis coursework (ELCS 6399 & ELCS 7399). Students may enroll in additional hours, but only 6 hours may be listed on their degree plan. For students who wish to become certified, thesis hours must be taken in addition to typical requirements. These courses should be selected in consultation with the student’s advisor.

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