Master of Science in Education, Special Education An Integration of Online and Traditional Coursework

Northwest Missouri State University’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction has launched a new 32-hour master’s degree program in special education. This program will combine web-based delivery of courses with face-to-face and ITV. Participants in the program will be provided with knowledge and understanding about the identification of exceptional children, methods of working with exceptional children and sources of referral available to parents and teachers. The program is designed for the educator who wants to develop a breadth and depth of knowledge not experienced at the B.S./B.A. level.

During the academic year, program courses will be delivered via the web in order to allow students to continue to be actively involved in their local educational institutions. Based on this schedule, students will complete 18 hours of the program using web-based delivery (one 3-hour course each trimester for a total of six trimesters). The remaining 14 hours will be completed on campus or through ITV facilities—six hours for each of two summers and a three-hour capstone seminar for the third summer. Students will be able to schedule the six hours during either June or July in order to minimize their time away from home or other summer commitments.

Benefits of the Program:

1. A minimum of 18 hours of the 32-hour M.S.Ed. degree program can be completed on the web at the rate of one 3-hour class each fall/spring trimester. The remaining 14 hours may be completed during three four-week summer sessions.
2. Students willing to take more than one 3-hour class each fall/spring may select an elective that is scheduled for web delivery.
3. The program is planned to minimize the time necessary to be on campus. As scheduled, the maximum amount of on-campus time is designed to be only one month (June or July) each of three summers.
4. Students may elect to take more hours during any enrollment period and complete the program sooner.

Program Prerequisites:

1. A valid teaching certificate (any level Pre-K through 12).
2. Two or more years of teaching experience or completion of directed teaching in a special education area or completion of an additional three-semester hour practicum in special education.
3. Courses in child psychology and adolescent psychology of at least two semester hours or one combined course of at least three semesters in child and adolescent psychology.
4. Completion of a course in Psychology and/or Education of the Exceptional Child of at least two semester hours.
5. Reading methods—five semester hours.
6. Mathematics methods—five semester hours. (Shall include coursework in teaching remedial mathematics. This requirement can be met by completing Elem Ed 63-603 or Read/Sp 66-574).

Program Admission Requirements:

Students wishing to pursue a graduate degree in special education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction must meet the admission requirements of the University and department as stated in this catalog.

1. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 on the undergraduate transcript or an undergraduate overall GPA of 2.50 to 2.74 and a 3.25 GPA on eight hours of required graduate coursework at Northwest in the major program where admission is requested.
2. A minimum combined score of 700 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination. The student must retake the test if the score falls below the 700 minimum. Official scores must be filed with the Graduate Office at the time of admission or no later than the end of the first trimester of enrollment or the student may not re-enroll the following term.
3. Successful completion of a supervised writing assessment conducted by the department during the first trimester of enrollment.

Electives
Prior to signing up for an elective course, it is advised that the student speak with an advisor concerning certification electives and approved electives. Many electives will be available online. Check the NorthwestOnline.org web site to see when electives will be offered online

Disclaimer
Unforeseen events may necessitate the changes in the schedule. Every attempt will be made for students to complete programs in a timely manner.

Contact Information
Graduate Office
660-562-1145
gradsch@mail.nwmissouri.edu
www.nwmissouri.edu/graduate

Dr. Shirley Steffens,
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
660-562-1443
steffen@mail.nwmissouri.edu

Website Information
Northwest Missouri State University http://www.nwmissouri.edu
Northwest Online: http://www.northwestonline.org

Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001

Core Requirements:

61-695 Philosophy of Education (3 hours)
Philosophy is studied in its application to current educational problems for determining the nature of the educative processes, the ends and objectives of education, and the means of attaining educational ends. A basis for philosophy of life and of education. (Summer)

61-649 Issues in Education (3 hours)
This course in designed to assist experienced teachers in the public schools to become more aware of issues in education, which have an impact upon them. Issues will be analyzed in terms of the historical and philosophical bases that have created the climate leading to these problems. Issues will be addressed in terms that help teachers cope in the teaching situation. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

61-682 Methods in Educational Research (2 hours)
Familiarizes students with various methods and procedures employed in conducting educational research. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

61-683 Research Paper (1 hour)
An individual project in educational research is required. Prerequisite: Ed 61-682 or concurrent enrollment. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Subject Field Requirements:

66-522 Technology for Teaching and Learning (3 hours)
Students will learn about various technologies, applications, procedures, and assessments to facilitate student learning. Using technology to meet the diverse needs of students including those with disabilities will be explored. Topics include: assessment, levels of assistive technology devices and services, use of word processing, spreadsheet, and database software in the instructional process, student and teacher productivity applications, ethical and legal issues regarding technology in the classroom, and instructional software (Fall, odd years Online, even years Onsite)

66-621 Administration of Special Education (3 hours)
Procedures, responsibilities, and problems relating to the administration of special education programs. These experiences should include, but not be limited to, the following: administrative patterns, legal basis, financial aspects, placement conferences, managing the IEP, placement alternatives, program evaluation, mainstreaming, and grant development. Suggested prerequisite: Elem Ed 63-632 or Sec Ed 65-688. (Fall, odd years Onsite, even years Online)

66-635 Techniques for Conferencing and Collaboration (3 hours)
Discussion of strategies designed to foster effective collaborative, conferencing, and communication skills. These skills will enhance partnerships between families of students with exceptional needs, general and special education teachers, paraeducators, and other support personnel. (Spring, odd years Online, even years Onsite)

66-642 Introduction to Multicategorical Mild Disabilities (3 hours)
This is an introductory course designed to provide an initial understanding of mildly handicapped representatives of the multicategorical fields of learning disabilities, mentally handicapped, and/or behavior disordered and other health impaired. (Fall, odd years Online, even years Onsite)

66-643 Teaching Students with Multicategorical Mild Disabilities: Elementary (3 hours)
Methods and strategies, including numerous examples of curricular and instructional methodologies utilized in the teaching of elementary multicategorical mildly handicapped representatives of the multicategorical fields of learning disabilities, mentally handicapped, and/or behavior disordered and other health impaired. (Spring, odd years Onsite, even years Online)

66-699 Seminar: Selected Topics in Special Education (3 hours)
(Summer, all years on campus)