The Master of Education in special education degree program prepares K-12 special educators at the graduate level with specific training in the areas of disabilities, assessment, interventions strategies, current law and the implementation of programs including the development of legally defensible documents related to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Graduates will have mastery of the Council for Exceptional Children standards for special education teachers: learner development and individual learning differences, learning environments, curricular content knowledge, assessment, instructional planning and strategies, professional learning, and ethical practice and collaboration.
The program will provide individuals who already possess, or are eligible for, a current Alaska teaching certificate or a bachelor’s degree and the necessary prerequisites with specific training in the area of special education. The program prepares K-12 special education teachers who can effectively understand state and national education issues and respond appropriately. Special education candidates will progress through a series of developmentally sequenced field experiences for all ages, types and levels of abilities including collaborative opportunities.
An option is available for individuals who are already certified special education teachers or individuals who want the special education knowledge and master's degree to perform professional duties that do not include being a special education classroom instructor. These individuals will not complete special education clinical practice, and no institutional recommendation for special education teacher certification will be issued.
The M.Ed. in special education provides development in collaboration/consultation models and program development in multicultural settings. Completion of this program meets the requirements for Alaska licensure as a K-12 special education teacher. For special education teacher certification in the state of Alaska, a passing score on the Praxis II Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications test (#5354) is required.
The School of Education offers Master of Education degrees in counseling, special education and education. Students in the education major may earn a degree in these areas of specialization: people, place and pedagogy, second language acquisition, bilingual education, and literacy, and online innovation and design. Students completing postbaccalaureate certification in elementary or secondary education may earn an M.Ed. in the respective area. For elementary education, secondary education, special education and counseling majors, refer to specific admission and program requirements listed in the respective sections.
Admission Requirements
Applications will be reviewed on March 1 and Oct. 1 for admission in the following semester. Faculty may vote to admit, not admit or admit with stipulations. Stipulations are specified when additional development in particular areas is needed before beginning a graduate degree program.
Minimum requirements for admission to the M.Ed. program are:
- Bachelor’s degree and a 3.0 GPA.
- One year of satisfactory teaching or administrative experience. Alternative experience may be accepted.
Complete the following application procedures for the UAF Graduate School:
- Submit a graduate application to the UAF Office of Admissions.
- Submit scores on the general GRE if undergraduate GPA is below 3.0.
- Submit a four- to five-page essay that describes your career goals and educational philosophy, and how those goals and philosophy are relevant to the School of Education’s mission and education graduate degree program.
- Submit official transcripts.
- Submit three letters of reference.
- Submit a resume.
For Certified Teachers
Complete the following admission requirements:
- Current Alaska teaching certificate or equivalent coursework towards an Alaska teaching certificate.
Prerequisite or corequisite: EDSE F482 or comparable transfer course from another institution.
For Initial Certification
Complete the following admission requirements:
- Baccalaureate degree along with the following prerequisites:
- Documented recent experience (minimum of 12 hours) in an educational setting with children experiencing disabilities.
- UAF prerequisite or corequisite courses or comparable transfer courses. Courses may be completed prior to admission or during the program:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| ED F245 | Child Development | 3 |
| 3 |
| Introduction to Education | |
| Foundations of Education in Alaska: From Segregation to Standards | |
| Introduction to Secondary Education | |
| Foundations of Modern Educational Practice | |
| Inclusive Classrooms for All Children | |
- Passing scores on the Praxis Academic Skills for Educators text (or Praxis I) or another test acceptable to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development before or during the first semester of classes. Current test numbers and minimum scores can be found at the basic competency examination requirement site.
- Passing scores on the appropriate Praxis II Exam(s) required before entering EDSE F678. Current test numbers and minimum scores can be found at the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development content area examinations site. Candidates should consult the employing school district to determine preferred tests based on teaching assignment.
-
Passing scores on the Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications Praxis Exam (test #5354) or another test acceptable to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development before or during EDSE F680. Passing scores are required to complete EDSE F680 and graduate from the Special Education K-12 Postbaccalaureate Certificate of Completion.
Recommended prior to admission or during the program, not required for the degree but for Alaska teacher certification:
- An Alaska studies course approved by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.
- A multicultural education/cross-cultural communication course approved by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.
All prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum final grade of B.
Program Requirements for Certified Teachers
Minimum Requirements for Degree: 36 credits
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| |
| |
| Inclusive Classrooms for All Children | |
| ED F601 | Introduction to Applied Social Science Research | 3 |
| EDSE F610 | Assessment of Students with Exceptionalities | 3 |
| EDSE F612 | Curriculum, Management and Strategies I: Low Incidence | 3 |
| EDSE F622 | Curriculum, Management and Strategies II: High Incidence | 3 |
| EDSE F625 | Teaching Mathematics to Special Learners | 3 |
| EDSE F632 | Special Education Law: Principles and Practices | 3 |
| EDSE F677 | English Language Arts Assessment, Curriculum and Strategies for Special Learners | 3 |
| EDSE F680 | Special Education Clinical Practice 2,3 | 3 |
| 12 |
| Field Study Research Methods | |
| Documenting Indigenous Knowledge |
| Early Childhood Special Education | |
| Social/Emotional Development, Assessment and Intervention | |
| Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities: Communication and Social Interventions | |
| Culturally Responsive Collaboration: Working with Parents, Colleagues and Paraprofessionals | |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Developmental Disabilities: Sensory and Behavioral Interventions | |
| Understanding FASD: Diagnosis, Intervention and Strategies | |
| 4 | |
Program Requirements for Initial Certification
Minimum Requirements for Degree: 39 credits
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| |
| |
| Child Development | |
| Inclusive Classrooms for All Children | |
| |
| Introduction to Education | |
| Foundations of Education in Alaska: From Segregation to Standards | |
| Introduction to Secondary Education | |
| Foundations of Modern Educational Practice | |
| ED F601 | Introduction to Applied Social Science Research | 3 |
| EDSE F610 | Assessment of Students with Exceptionalities | 3 |
| EDSE F612 | Curriculum, Management and Strategies I: Low Incidence | 3 |
| EDSE F622 | Curriculum, Management and Strategies II: High Incidence | 3 |
| EDSE F625 | Teaching Mathematics to Special Learners | 3 |
| EDSE F632 | Special Education Law: Principles and Practices | 3 |
| EDSE F677 | English Language Arts Assessment, Curriculum and Strategies for Special Learners | 3 |
| EDSE F678 | Special Education Clinical Practice: Initial 2 | 3 |
| EDSE F680 | Special Education Clinical Practice 2,3 | 3 |
| 12 |
| Field Study Research Methods | |
| Documenting Indigenous Knowledge |
| Early Childhood Special Education | |
| Social/Emotional Development, Assessment and Intervention | |
| Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities: Communication and Social Interventions | |
| Culturally Responsive Collaboration: Working with Parents, Colleagues and Paraprofessionals | |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Developmental Disabilities: Sensory and Behavioral Interventions | |
| Understanding FASD: Diagnosis, Intervention and Strategies | |
| 4 | |
Program Requirements for M.Ed. Degree Without Certification
Minimum Requirements for Degree: 36 credits
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| |
| |
| Inclusive Classrooms for All Children | |
| ED F601 | Introduction to Applied Social Science Research | 3 |
| EDSE F610 | Assessment of Students with Exceptionalities | 3 |
| EDSE F612 | Curriculum, Management and Strategies I: Low Incidence | 3 |
| EDSE F622 | Curriculum, Management and Strategies II: High Incidence | 3 |
| EDSE F625 | Teaching Mathematics to Special Learners | 3 |
| EDSE F632 | Special Education Law: Principles and Practices | 3 |
| EDSE F677 | English Language Arts Assessment, Curriculum and Strategies for Special Learners | 3 |
| 15 |
| Field Study Research Methods | |
| Documenting Indigenous Knowledge |
| Early Childhood Special Education | |
| Social/Emotional Development, Assessment and Intervention | |
| Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities: Communication and Social Interventions | |
| Culturally Responsive Collaboration: Working with Parents, Colleagues and Paraprofessionals | |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Developmental Disabilities: Sensory and Behavioral Interventions | |
| Understanding FASD: Diagnosis, Intervention and Strategies | |
| 2 | |
