MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION
SPECIAL SUBJECT FIELDS AND ADMINISTRATION
School of Education and Psychology
School of Graduate Studies

ENDORSEMENT AREA: SPECIAL EDUCATION

The purpose of the curriculum in special education is to prepare special education personnel in the areas of Mental Retardation, Learning Disabilities, and Educationally Disabled. This degree consists of 36-42 hours of coursework. Interested students may seek combined endorsement in two areas, e.g. mental retardation and learning disabilities with the consent of an advisor. Completion of this curriculum in special education will enable a person to meet the educational requirements for a Class AA Special Education Certificate in the State of Mississippi. Upon completion of courses in this endorsement area, students should have:

  1. demonstrated verbally and in writing a workable education philosophy which encompasses educational views consistent with current laws, practices and thought in the field of special education;
  2. demonstrated a knowledge of theories necessary for developing a philosophy in special education;
  3. demonstrated an in-depth study/research of issues, trends and innovations in the area of special education;
  4. promoted content competency in special education through practicum experiences;
  5. utilized teaching models effectively in the classroom setting.


To receive a Master of Science in Education Degree with an endorsement in special education a person must meet the following requirements:


  2. Hold or qualify to hold a Class "A" Teacher's Certificate;
  3. Have at least two years of teaching experience;
  4. Complete a planned program of instruction that includes:
    1. 12 hours core courses;
    2. 18-21 hours area of endorsement;
    3. 3-6 hours elective courses;
  5. Dual certified students are required to enroll in an additional nine hours in the additional area of endorsement.

AREA OF SPECIALIZATION: MENTAL RETARDATION 

Required Courses......................................................18 hours
     SE 535 Introduction to Mental Retardation...............3 hours
     SE 540 Methods and Materials for Teaching 
               Children with Mental Retardation..............3 hours
     SE 559 Language Development & Language 
               Disorders.....................................3 hours
     PH 525 Psychology of Exceptional Children...............3 hours
     PH 535 Identification, Diagnosis, and Evaluation
                of Students with Disabilities................3 hours
     PH 504 Educational and Psychological Statistics.........3 hours

Electives............................................................3-6 hours
     SE 542 Methods and Materials for Children with 
               Emotional Disturbances........................3 hours
     SE 545 Individualized Instruction for Students
               with Disabilities.............................3 hours
     SE 548 Pre-vocational, Vocational Education
               and Training for Students with Disabilities....3 hours
     SE 551 Administration and Supervision of 
               Special Education.............................3 hours
     SE 553 Counseling Children with Disabilities and 
               their Parents.................................3 hours
     SE 590 Individual Study in Learning Disabilities: 
               Thesis........................................6 hours
     PH 544 Psychology of Learning as Applied to 
               Teaching......................................3 hours
     SE 537 Introduction to Students with Emotional 
               Disturbances..................................3 hours
    *EA 577 Systematic Evaluation in Education...............3 hours

AREA OF SPECIALIZATION: LEARNING DISABILITIES 

Required Courses......................................................18 hours
     SE 536 Intro. to Learning Disabilities..................3 hours
     SE 541 Methods & Materials for Children 
               with Learning Disabilities....................3 hours
     SE 559 Language Development & Language 
               Disorders.....................................3 hours
     PH 525 Psychology of Exceptional Children...............3 hours
     PH 535 Identification, Diagnosis and Evaluation
               of Students with Disabilities.................3 hours
     PH 504 Educational & Psychological Statistics...........3 hours

Electives.............................................................3 hours
     SE 537 Introduction to Students with Emotional
               Disturbances..................................3 hours
     SE 538 Perceptual and Motor Learning..................3-6 hours
     SE 542 Methods and Materials for Emotionally
               Disturbed.....................................3 hours
     SE 545 Individualized Instruction for Students
               with Disabilities.............................3 hours
     SE 548 Pre-vocational and Vocational Education 
               and Training for Students with
               Disabilities..................................3 hours
     SE 551 Administration and Supervision of 
               Special Education.............................3 hours
     SE 553 Counseling Children with Disabilities and 
               Their Parents.................................3 hours
* The student must take in order to supervise student teachers.

AREA OF SPECIALIZATION: EDUCATIONALLY DISABLED 

Required Courses.....................................................21 hours
     SE 535 Introduction to Mental Retardation...............3 hours
     SE 536 Introduction to Learning Disabilities............3 hours
     SE 540 Methods and Materials for Teaching 
               Children with Mental Retardation..............3 hours
     SE 541 Methods and Materials for Children 
               with Learning Disabilities....................3 hours
     SE 545 Individualized Instruction for Students 
               with Disabilities.............................3 hours
   **SE 548 Pre-vocational, Vocational Education 
               & Training for Students with Disabilities.....3 hours
   **SE 553 Counseling Children with Disabilities and 
               Their Parents.................................3 hours
   **SE 559 Language Dev. and Language Disorders.............3 hours
    *PH 525 Psychology of Exceptional Children...............3 hours
    *PH 535 Identification, Diagnosis and Evaluation 
               of Students with Disabilities.................3 hours
    *PH 544 Psychology of Learning as Applied to 
               Teaching......................................3 hours
    *PH 504 Educational and Psychological 
               Statistics....................................3 hours
*   The student should choose one of these four courses.
**  The student should choose one of these three courses.
*** The student must take in order to supervise student teachers.

Electives.............................................................6 hours
     SE 537 Introduction to Students with Emotional 
               Disturbances..................................3 hours
     SE 538 Perceptual and Psychomotor Learning..............3 hours
     SE 542 Methods and Materials for Children with 
               Emotional Disturbances........................3 hours
     SE 551 Administration & Supervision of Special 
               Education.....................................3 hours
     SE 580 Internship and Direct Study in Students
               with Disabilities.............................3 hours
     SE 590 Thesis: Individual Study in Students with 
               Disabilities Handicapped......................6 hours
     *ED 577 Systematic Teacher Evaluation...................3 hours