Department of Human Development and Child Studies
405B Pawley Hall (map)
(248) 370-3077 • Fax (248) 370-4242
http://www.oakland.edu/sehs/hdcs/

Coordinator:
Erica Ruegg
425F Pawley Hall
(248) 370-2894
ruegg@oakland.edu

Program Description

The Master of Education in Special Education is a degree focusing on 1) the broader concepts of exceptionality - learning, instruction, and development and 2) an in-depth preparation for one area of exceptionality. Exploration of theory and research and advanced application in instruction and assessment with selected populations are integrated throughout the program.

The Master of Education in Special Education degree is designed to provide students advanced training and expertise in a chosen area of concentration. The areas of concentration offered within the M.Ed. in special education degree program at Oakland University are:

Applied Behavior Analysis
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Emotional Impairment
Specific Learning Disability

Note: Applicants for the M.Ed. with a concentration in ABA should contact Dr. Michael Kranak (kranak@oakland.edu) for additional information.

Admission Terms and Application Deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Oakland University Graduate School by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

July 15 for fall semester (All ASD and ABA programs are fall admit only; the M.Ed. and Certificates operate under a cohort model)
November 15 for winter semester (EI and SLD programs only)
March 15 for summer semester (EI and SLD programs only)
International applicants

Admission Terms and Application Deadlines (ABA only)

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Oakland University Graduate School by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review. Applicant must complete an interview as part of the application process, which takes place in the winter semester PRIOR to the start of the fall semester for which the student is applying.

April 15 for following year
International applicants

Application Requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines.

Graduate application requirements
Additional department application requirements

Supplemental Program Form
Recommendation for Graduate Admission Form
One recommendation must be from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s potential for successful graduate study.
Copy of current (or most recent) teaching certificate or verification of pending certificate is required for ASD concentration. All applicants can provide evidence of eligibility from the MOECS credential search. Applicants must upload this information to their application in place of the actual teaching certificate.
- Teaching Certificate is NOT required for ABA concentration.
- Teaching Certificate is NOT required for EI or SLD concentration, exit option B.
Interview may be required for candidates under consideration, with a written response to one or more questions posed during the interview process.
Goal statement, which includes the reason for application, the intended focus of graduate study, a description of professional experiences and accomplishments, and professional and career goals.

Admission Review and Assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Oakland University Graduate School, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses, and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.

To be admitted to the M.Ed. in Special Education degree program in full standing, the applicant must have an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0 but with an appropriate academic background and strong letters of recommendation, may be considered for admission in limited standing. Students who qualify for this admission classification must complete a maximum of 12 credits of graduate coursework with a grade of 3.0 or above in each course within the first three academic terms from the time of initial enrollment.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Education in special education is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 44 credits in an approved program of study.

M.Ed. in Special Education with a concentration in applied behavior analysis

Course requirements (44 credits)

a. Core Requirements (8 credits)

b. ABA Concentration (25 credits)

course Foundations of ABA (3 Credits)
course Concepts and Principles of ABA (3 credits)
course Behavioral Assessment (3 credits)
course Behavior Change Procedures (4 credits)
course Research Methods (3 credits)
course Ethics (3 credits)
course Personnel Supervision and Management (2 credits)
course Experimental Analysis of Behavior (3 credits)

Cumilating Experience (10 credits)

course Experiential Learning Project 1 (2 credits)
course Experiential Learning Project 2 (2 credits)
course Experiential Learning Project 3 (2 credits)
course Experiential Learning Project 4 (4 credits)

M.Ed. in Special Education with a Concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Foundation Requirements (up to 8 credits)

May be required depending on an applicant’s background

Course Requirements (45 credits)

a. Core Requirements (17 credits)

course Standards, Practices, and Research in Special Education (4 credits)
course Community Engagement and Service (1 to 3 credits) Student must complete 3 credits for graduation. Student will work with their advisor to determine whether to take 1 credit the first semester, then 2 credits the second semester or all 3 credits at once. When registering for the course, select the credit number through drop down menu or it will default to 1 credit only. Student must complete 3 credits for graduation.
course Quality of Life (4 credits)
Elective(s) ( 6 credits) Must be approved by adviser.

b. ASD Concentration (28 credits)

course Legal Issues in Special Education (4 credits)
course Assessment in Special Education (4 credits)
course Educational Procedures for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (3 credits)
course Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder (3 credits)
course Communication and Language Issues in Autism Spectrum Disorder (3 credits)
course Behavioral and Social Issues in Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (3 credits)
course Collaboration and Consultation: Autism Spectrum Disorder (3 credits)
Student must select Exit Option A or Exit Option B.

Option A (5 credits)

course Practicum Field Experience: Autism Spectrum Disorder K-12 ( 5 credits)
(Required for those seeking the state-approved teaching endorsement.)

Option B (5 credits)

Elective (5 credits) Must be approved by adviser.

M.Ed. in Special Education with a Concentration in Emotional Impairment

Foundation Requirements (up to 8 credits)

May be required depending on an applicant’s background.

Course Requirements (40 credits)

a. Core Requirements (20 credits)

b. EI Concentration (20 credits)

The following are pedagogical requirements to complete prior to field experience:

course Students with Behavioral and/or Emotional Impairment (4 credits)
course Language and Exceptional Children and Youth (4 credits)
course Educational Procedures for Students with Emotional Impairment (4 credits)
course Advanced Interventions and Resources for Students with Emotional Impairment (4 credits)
Student must select either Exit Option A or Exit Option B.

Option A (4 credits)

course Practicum Field Experience: Emotional Impairment K-12 (4 credits)
(Required for those seeking the state-approved teaching endorsement.)

Option B (4 credits)

Elective (4 credits) Must be approved by adviser.

M.Ed. in Special Education with a Concentration in Specific Learning Disability

Foundation Requirements (up to 8 credits)

May be required depending on an applicant’s background

Course Requirements (40 credits)

a. Core Requirements (20 credits)

course Legal Issues in Special Education (4 credits)
course Standards, Practices, and Research in Special Education (4 credits)
course Organization and Management of Instructional Behaviors and Environments (4 credits)
course Assessment in Special Education (4 credits)
Elective (4 credits) Must be approved by adviser

b. SLD Concentration (20 credits)

The following are pedagogical requirements to complete prior to field experience:

course Inquiry-Based Literacy Instruction ( 4 credits)
course Language and Exceptional Children and Youth (4 credits)
course Introduction to Specific Learning Disability (4 credits)
course Advanced Educational Procedures for Students with a Specific Learning Disability (4 credits)
Student must select either Exit Option A or Exit Option B.

Option A (4 credits)

course Practicum Field Experience: Specific Learning Disability K-12 (4 credits)
(Required for those seeking the state-approved teaching endorsement.)

Option B (4 credits)

Elective (4 credits) Must be approved by adviser.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.

Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details.

Good Academic Standing

All graduate students are expected to remain in good Academic Standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0 (B).

Good academic standing is a requirement for:

Holding a Graduate Assistantship
Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
Going on a leave of absence
Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.

Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.

Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.

Related Program Information

Plan of Study

All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted by the student to the Oakland University Graduate School Office.

Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework. (See the Graduate Student Responsibility section of this catalog.)

Note: Credit granted for successful completion of a course toward an undergraduate degree program may not be repeated for a graduate degree. If a substitution is approved, the minimum number of program-approved graduate credits will be required. A Petition of Exception - OU Course Waiver/ Substitution requesting the substitution must be approved.

For Graduation and Commencement specifics that students must complete on time, click Graduation and Commencement.

Special Education

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Required Summer Semesters