certificate and masters of arts Special Education

Autism and Spectrum Disorders--Master of Arts Degree and Certificate

The master of arts degree and certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) develop or enhance skills in understanding, identifying, and programming for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The five courses (15 semester hours) in the certificate may be applied to the master of arts degree; certificate-only study is also permitted.

Coursework in ASD draws on a range of topics including: understanding the history and current thinking in ASD; knowledge of the impact of ASD on sensory processing, cognitive processing, anxiety, social perception, and communication; methods for identification and evaluation in an educational setting; processes for establishing priorities for educational needs and Individual Educational Program (IEP) goals and objectives; techniques for supporting the selection of instructional interventions, support strategies, and monitoring systems; and, systems for ongoing access to research and resources concerning ASD.

Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Core Courses (15 credits)

SPED 750 Survey of Exceptionality--3 cr.
SPED 785 Behavior Management--3 cr.
SPED 701* Fundamentals of Autism Spectrum Disorders--3 cr.
SPED 702* Communication and Social Skills for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders--3 cr.
SPED 703* Methods and Materials for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders--3 cr.

Total for certificate: 15 credits

Master of Arts in Autism Spectrum Disorders

(** indicates courses included in the ASD certificate)

Core Courses (34 credits)

SPED 750** Survey of Exceptionality--3 cr.
SPED 785** Behavior Management--3 cr.
SPED 714 Collaboration Skills for School Professionals--3 cr.

Autism Spectrum Disorders Required Courses
SPED 701** Fundamentals of Autism Spectrum Disorders--3 cr.
SPED 702** Communication and Social Skills for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders--3 cr.
SPED 703** Methods and Materials for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders--3 cr.
SPED 704 Practicum Autism Spectrum Disorders--3 cr.

Electives

SPED Elective--3 cr.
SPED Elective--3 cr.
SPED Elective--3 cr.

Additional Requirements for MA

CIED 500 Educational Research--3 cr.
SPED 799 Final Project--1 cr.

Total for M.A. 34 credits

* SPED 701, 702, 703 may be taken as Continuing Education courses and transferred in to the Master of Arts program in ASD.

Professional Preparation Certificate: Orton-Gillingham Approach

The Orton-Gillingham reading approach incorporates intensive phonics-based instruction with specific teaching methodology. It is an approach often recommended for school-age and adult learners who are non-readers or who have reading or writing language skill disabilities. Teachers who have mastered this approach are most likely to become master teachers of other reading approaches.

This certificate is offered to educators who have completed specific coursework and practicum experiences in the Orton-Gillingham approach. In order to qualify for this certificate, students must complete the following coursework and practicum experiences (four courses total). This coursework and practicum experience expose students to more than 25 hours of classroom instruction in the Orton-Gillingham approach and 100 hours of supervised field experience. Other courses required for the certificate include: This certificate is not the equivalent of a Minnesota teaching license.

Required Courses

SPED 705 Basic Skills Instruction: Mild Disabilities--3 cr.
SPED 790 Practicum: Learning Disabilities--3 cr.
SPED 750 Survey of Exceptionality--3 cr.

Plus one of the following:

SPED 786 Fundamentals of Learning Disabilities--3 cr.
SPED 788 Instructional Strategies: Mild/Moderate Disabilities--3 cr.
SPED 645 Educational Assessment--3 cr.

Admission

Admission requirements and procedures for certificate programs are the same as for master's programs. See the section on Master's Degrees for information.