Department of Exceptional Student Education
Master’s Degree Program in Exceptional Student Education (M.Ed.)
The Department of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) offers the Master’s
Degree in Exceptional Student Education. Students choose one of the following areas
of concentration:
*Students who do not currently hold an undergraduate degree in Exceptional Student
Education must complete the Instructional Practices concentration area.
Students who do not currently hold an undergraduate degree in Exceptional Student
Education and have interest in any of the other concentration areas, may add the
the courses for that certification area to the required Instructional Practices
concentration area in their Master’s Degree program.
ESE Master’s Program Overview:
The Department of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) offers a Master of Education
program with several areas of concentration from which students choose. The program
prepares students to work with individuals with various disabilities; it is appropriate
for individuals who wish to earn a master’s degree while expanding their knowledge
of the field of special education. Students register for a number of
common courses covering topics designed to broaden teachers’ knowledge
of ESE strategies and promote professional development.
Students also select an area of concentration
in which they can pursue more detailed/specific preparation or if they currently
hold initial State of Florida Teacher Certification, to pursue an additional endorsement
area (e.g., the Pre-Kindergarten Disability or Gifted Education Endorsement). Students
culminate their degree program by working with a faculty member to design and conduct
a field project, a Master’s thesis, or an Internship experience. The Master’s
degree in Exceptional Student Education is a 36 credit hour (minimum) program including
College and Department Core, plus their option for a concentration area.
This Master’s degree program does not lead to initial teacher certification;
students may work with their advisor to devise a plan to obtain initial teacher
certification.
Master’s degree program is may be completed with a combination of courses
offered via traditional, online, distance, and fast-track delivery methods.
Admissions Requirements for ESE Master’s Program:
Applicants to the Department of Exceptional Student Education are required to follow
the University’s procedures for graduate
admission.
Any applicant seeking admission to the Master of Education program in Exceptional
Student Education must also: Earn acceptable scores on either the Graduate
Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogy Test (MAT). For applicants with a Grade
Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.5 from the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate
work, a minimum GRE score of 1000 is required (combining scores from any 2 of the
3 sub-scales -- Verbal, Quantitative, Analytic). For applicants with minimum GPA
of 3.0 from the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work, a minimum GRE score
of 800 is required. For applicants using the MAT, an acceptable score is a score
in the 50th percentile for intended Education majors.
Students completing a master’s degree in Exceptional Student Education must
complete coursework constituting the:
- College of Education Core Courses,
- EDF 6481: Educational Research (3)
- STA 6113: Educational Statistics (3)
- Exceptional Student Education Department Core Courses, and
- EEX 6259: Cognitive and Metacognitive Learning Strategies (3)
- EEX 5622: Collaboration & Consultation Skills (3)
- EEX 6065: Transition Planning for Individuals with Disabilities (3)
- EEX 6027: Seminar in Special Education (3)
- EEX 6971: Thesis (3) or
- EEX 6942: Field Project (3) or
- EEX 6683: Graduate Internship (3) (6 credits for Instructional Practices concentration)
- Concentration Area Courses
Areas of concentration:
Students who do not hold an undergraduate degree in Exceptional Student Education
must complete the Instructional Practices concentration area.
Many students in this track are able to teach in their own classroom or at their
own school if the placement provides them direct teaching responsibility for students
with disabilities. This course work will provide students with the skills and knowledge
to become an effective teacher and to pass the certification test for ESE from the
Florida Department of Education. Students in this area of concentration complete
the degree with a graduate internship (6 credit hours in one semester) that requires
them to be placed in a public school classroom and teaching student with disabilities.
Course Requirements for Concentration in Instructional Practices in ESE:
In addition to the College of Education Core and Exceptional Student Education Department
Core, students pursuing this concentration area must also take the following courses:
Instructional Practices in ESE
- EEX 6225 (3) Assessment & Evaluation of Students w/ Disabilities
- EEX 6121 (3) Language & Students w/ Disabilities
- EEX 5612 (3) Applied Behavior Analysis
- EEX 6247 (3) Designing Programs for Students in Special Education
- EEX 5841 (1) Graduate Teaching Practicum in ESE
Accreditation Standards for Concentration in Instructional Practices in ESE:
- CEC International Standards for Preparation and Certification of Special Education
Teachers (CEC)
- State of Florida Certification Standards for Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
- Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (EAP)
- Florida Subject Area Competencies ESOL (ESOL)
The 5 courses in this Concentration Area prepare graduates for professional roles
as educators of gifted and talented students. Graduates also are eligible
for a teaching endorsement in Gifted Education from the Florida Department of Education.
The four courses with the EGI prefix are offered through the ESE Department in an
online format. The fifth course (SDS 6426) is offered through the Department of
Counselor Education in a mixed methods format, incorporating live sessions and online
activities.
Course Requirements for Gifted Education:
In addition to the College of Education Core and Exceptional Student Education Department
Core, students pursuing this concentration area must also take the following courses:
Gifted Education
- EGI 5302 (3) Theories & Characteristics of Gifted Learners
- EGI 5246 (3) Educating Special Populations of Gifted Learners
- EGI 5305 (3) Theory & Development of Creativity
- EGI 6235 (3) Designing Programs for Gifted Learners (Prerequisite: EGI 5302 or EGI
5246)
- SDS 6426 (3) Guidance & Counseling of Gifted Students
Accreditation Standards for Gifted Education:
- National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
- The Association for the Gifted of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC - TAG)
- Florida Department of Education Frameworks for Gifted (Sunshine State Standards)
Students interested in specializing in the area of early childhood special education
(ages 3-8) and/or early intervention (birth to age 2) are required to take 12-15
credit hours in this concentration area. By completing this area of
concentration, students are eligible for the State of Florida
Pre-Kindergarten Disabilities Endorsement (Pre-K –grade 3) and/or
the Department of Health
Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS) Certificate.
Course Requirements for Concentration in Early Childhood:
In addition to the College of Education Core and Exceptional Student Education Department
Core, students pursuing this concentration area must also take the following five
courses:
Early Childhood
- EEX 5015 (3) Survey & Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education
- EEX 5017 (3) Atypical Development Early Childhood ESE
- EEX 5245 (3) Methods in Early Childhood Special Education
- EEX 5755 (3) Family & Community Resources in Early Childhood Special Education
- EEX 6707 (3) Early Intervention
Students who complete EEX 5015; EEX 5017; EEX 5245; and, EEX 5755; and who already
have initial State of Florida Teacher Certification are eligible for the State of
Florida Pre-Kindergarten Disabilities “add on” Endorsement (Pre-K –grade
3).
Students who complete EEX 5015; EEX 5017; EEX 5755; and, EEX 6707 are eligible for
the Department of Health Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS) Certificate.
Accreditation Standards for Concentration in Early Childhood:
- State of Florida Prekindergarten/Primary Education (Age 3) Through Grade Three (3)
Specialization Competencies (PK/P)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- Educator Accomplished Practices: Florida Education Standards Commission (EAP)
- NCATE Recommendations for Technology in Teacher Education (NCATE-tech)
- Subject Matter Content Standards for Florida’s Teachers: ESOL = (ESOL)
- Florida’s Early Intervention Professional Competencies (ITDS Appendix A)
Master’s Concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Students interested in Autism Spectrum Disorders take 12 credit hours in this concentration area. By completing this area of concentration, students are eligible for the State of Florida teaching endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorders. This endorsement may be added to an ESE teaching certificate as well as other teaching certifications.
Course Requirements for Concentration in Early Childhood:
In addition to the College of Education Core and Exceptional Student Education Department Core, students pursuing this concentration area must also take the following four courses:
- EEX 6095: Nature and Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorders
- EEX 6602: Behavior Change and Management Strategies
- EEX 6210: Diagnosis, Assessment, and Instructional Decision Making for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
- EEX 6298: Intervention for Social, Communication, Academic and Functional Skills for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Accreditation Standards for ASD Endorsement:
- CEC- Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD)
- Florida Department of Education Autism Spectrum Disorders Specialization Competencies
- Educator Accomplished Practices: Florida Education Standards Commission (EAP)
- Subject Matter Content Standards for ’s Teachers: ESOL = (ESOL)
This area of concentration area is designed to prepare teachers to address the specialized
learning needs of students with disabilities in the content area of reading.
Course Requirements for Concentration in Reading:
In addition to the College of Education Core and Exceptional Student Education Department
Core, students pursuing this concentration area must also take the following courses:
Reading
- RED 6351 (3) Developmental Reading
- RED 6548 (3) Remedial Reading
- RED 6546 (3) Reading Diagnosis
- RED 4335/6361 (3) Middle & Secondary School Reading
- EEX 4250 (3) ESE Reading
Accreditation Standards for Concentration in Reading:
- CEC International Standards for Preparation and Certification of Special Education
Teachers (CEC)
- State of Florida Certification Standards for Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
- Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (EAP)
- Florida Subject Area Competencies ESOL (ESOL)
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has a long-standing history of solving problems
of social and practical importance. Hallmarks of ABA include the design and implementation
of assessment procedures and intervention strategies to teach new behavior that
is socially valued, and replace behavior that is problematic for individuals and
society. Behavior analysts fulfill a vital role in the community, and the demand
for qualified and well-trained professionals is high. Board Certified Behavior Analysts
are frequently employed to work or consult in schools, early intervention agencies,
community and residential settings, and universities.
The ABA Program at Florida Atlantic University is housed in the Department of Exceptional
Student Education. This course sequence is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification
Board® (BACB®) and meets the coursework requirements to apply for the Board
Certified Behavior Analyst® Certification Examination. Additional requirements by
the BACB®, include supervision, degree status, and examination, and can be found
on their website at www.bacb.com.
Course Requirements for Concentration in ABA:
In addition to the College of Education Core and Exceptional Student Education Department
Core, students pursuing this concentration area must also take the following courses:
Applied Behavior Analysis
- EEX 5612 (3) Applied Behavior Analysis
- EEX 5602 (3) Behavior Change & Management Strategies
- EEX 6615 (3) Behavior Assessment & Intervention
- EEX 6609 (3) Behavior Analytic Teaching
- EEX 7618 (3) Advanced ABA
Master’s students who do not have a bachelor’s degree in special education
may add the ABA certification area to the required Instructional Practices concentration
area.
Accreditation Standards for Concentration in ABA:
- State of Florida Certification Standards for Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
- Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (EAP)
- Behavior Analyst Task List-Third Edition (BACB)
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board Guidelines for Responsible Conduct –
August 2004 (BACB Guidelines)
This area of concentration is specifically designed for those individuals who have
an undergraduate degree in special education and wish to further their education
and skills by earning a master’s degree. Student may take courses that are
of interest to them professionally such as (EEX 6766) Assistive Technology for Educators
or (EEX 6515) Special Education Policy and Leadership Issues. Students are also
able to take Directed Independent Studies with faculty to pursue mutual research
interests. In addition to the two listed below, three other courses for this area
of concentration are selected jointly by the student and their faculty advisor.
This area of concentration culminates with a field project, a thesis, or a
3 credit graduate internship.
Course Requirements for Concentration in Professional Development:
In addition to the College of Education Core and Exceptional Student Education Department
Core, students pursuing this concentration area must also take the following courses:
Professional Development
- EEX 6766 (3) Assistive Technology for Educators
- EEX 6515 (3) Special Education Policy & Leadership Issues
- Other courses identified by the student and advisor (9 credits)
Accreditation Standards for Concentration in Professional Development:
- CEC Knowledge and Skills for Beginning Special Education Administrators CEC International
Standards for Preparation and Certification of Special Education Teachers (CEC)
- State of Florida Certification Standards for Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
- Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (EAP)
- Florida Subject Area Competencies ESOL (ESOL)
Furthering your Education:
Students completing our Master’s Degree Program Education are eligible to
apply for our Doctoral program or one of our additional certification/ endorsement
areas. Our Department offers an Ed.D. in
ESE and we offer certifications/endorsements in
Pre-Kindergarten Disabilities (Pre-K-grade 3),
Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS),
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and
Gifted Education.
Department Contact for Masters Programs:
Forms and Links for master’s degree page:
