Deaf and Hard of Hearing Emphasis
The MA degree in Special Education with a Deaf/Hard of Hearing emphasis prepares professionals as a special education specialist: deaf/hard of hearing to work with children and youth with hearing losses ages birth-21 and their families in order to help them develop their full potential. Individuals who do not have a current teaching license are required to pass an approved elementary education content examination (e.g., Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects PRAXIS Exam #5001) or another state level elementary education test before being admitted to the Deaf Education Program. The program consists of the required courses and practicum requirements agreed upon by the student and advisor. Also, individuals who are not proficient in sign can enroll in the program and concurrently take sign courses. The Special Education Deaf/Hard of Hearing Specialist is required to pass a sign proficiency examination and an approved Special Education: Deaf/Hard of Hearing (e.g., Special Education: Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students PRAXIS Exam #5272) prior to enrolling in practicum.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Special Education M.A. — Deaf and Hard of Hearing Emphasis
Early Childhood Special Education Emphasis
This master’s program is designed to prepare teachers who will work with young children from birth to age 8 across the full spectrum of learning needs and abilities. Because it promotes an inclusive approach to early education, the program is appropriate for teachers who will work in Early Childhood Special Education and/or Early Childhood Education settings. Teacher candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skills in parent-professional partnerships, recommended research-based practices, typical and atypical early child development, and approaches to effective assessment and intervention. Students are required to pass the Early Childhood Special Education PRAXIS exam before enrolling in practicum coursework.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Special Education M.A. — Early Childhood Special Education Emphasis
Generalist Emphasis
The MA degree in Special Education with Generalist emphasis prepares teachers who will work with students who are identified with a variety of disabilities from moderate to severe intensity. The emphasis of the program content focuses on literacy and mathematics instruction, understanding standards and assessment, behavior, elementary and secondary differentiated instruction, and technology. The Generalist program consists of program specific core and content courses and a final practicum, as delineated by the candidate’s program of studies, and a required comprehensive examination. Teachers completing this program will demonstrate the skills needed to provide appropriate academic and behavioral supports and accommodations for students with disabilities. If seeking initial licensure in Colorado, the Special Education Generalist candidate is required to have passed the approved Elementary Education Multiple Subjects PRAXIS exam and the Special Education Core Knowledge and Application PRAXIS exam prior to taking the practicum. If a candidate enters the Master of Arts program in Special Education Generalist without a current teacher licensure, that candidate is required to complete an additional course requirement, EDSE 507.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Special Education M.A. — Generalist Emphasis
Gifted and Talented Education Emphasis
The MA degree in Special Education with Gifted and Talented emphasis prepares teachers at the elementary and secondary level to work with gifted and talented students in order to help them develop their full potential.
The Special Education Gifted and Talented Specialist is required to pass the approved PLACE exam prior to licensing. The program consists of the required courses and practicum requirements agreed upon by the student and advisor. If a student enters the Master of Arts program in Special Education: Gifted and Talented without a current teacher licensure, s/he is required to complete additional admission requirements and course requirements listed under Professional Teacher Education.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Special Education M.A. — Gifted and Talented Education Emphasis
Intervention Specialist: Academic Coaching and Leadership Emphasis
The Intervention Specialist: Academic Coaching and Leadership Emphasis is a comprehensive program that weaves research and practice while providing current educational professionals with the knowledge and skills that are needed to provide services, supervise, and coach other educators to ultimately foster student growth academically, behaviorally, and socially.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Special Education M.A. — Intervention Specialist: Academic Coaching and Leadership Emphasis
Intervention Specialist: Applied Behavior Analysis Emphasis
The Intervention Specialist with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an online Masters degree designed to prepare educators with knowledge and skills in the area of ABA and leadership. Coursework in the Intervention Specialist with an ABA emphasis includes: special education law; leadership in the school and community; research and reflective practice; concepts and foundations of applied behavior analysis; measurement and experimental design; identifying functions or problem behavior; designing, implementing and evaluating interventions; behavior change systems; ethics, management, and supervision; and application of applied behavior analysis through the lifespan, including individuals with cultural and linguistic diversity, autism, traumatic brain injury, and extremely challenging behaviors. This graduate program prepares educators to become leaders in schools and communities in the area of applied behavior analysis.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Special Education M.A. — Intervention Specialist: Applied Behavior Analysis Emphasis
Visual Impairment Emphasis
The MA degree in Special Education with a Visual Impairment Emphasis is designed to prepare teachers who will work with students who are visually impaired. The program consists of the required courses and practicum requirements agreed upon by the student and advisor. Students entering the Master of Arts program in Special Education: Visual Impairment without a current teacher licensure are required to complete additional course requirements listed under Professional Teacher Education. Students may complete licensure and degree requirements in a minimum of 42 credits if they desire licensure of education of students with visual impairments only. Students seeking an added endorsement in Orientation and Mobility may complete this 15 credit program in consultation with their program advisor.
Admission. The student must possess a grade point average on the last 60 semester hours of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, provide a minimum of two letters of recommendation from previous employers or academic professors, provide a statement of philosophy and goals of application in relation to the needs in the field and, if possible, arrange for a personal interview. Acceptance or rejection of an applicant will be made after an evaluation of all of the above requirements is made.
Please see degree and program requirements for any additional admission information.
Comprehensive Examination: In addition to admission to the program and satisfactory completion of all coursework, each student must pass a written comprehensive examination before she or he is allowed to graduate.
Evaluation. Evaluation of the student's professional potential will be an ongoing process throughout the program. Continuation/exit requirements will be based on multiple criteria such as faculty interview, professional recommendations, recommendations of the advisor or other program faculty, academic ethics, successful completion of the comprehensive examination and potential for teaching handicapped infants and adults. The multiple criteria approach does not assume that each of these factors carry equal weights; any one factor might well outweigh all others.
Licensure. Students who seek Colorado licensure in an area of Special Education or request an institutional recommendation for licensure from UNC must meet Colorado teacher licensure requirements.
Students wishing to obtain Colorado licensure are required to pass proficiency examination(s). Students should contact the School of Special Education in McKee for information.
A master's degree or a school approved licensure program is required before the University of Northern Colorado will recommend the student for endorsement.
Students entering the licensure program must meet the same entrance requirements as the Master's degree students. They must also demonstrate achievement of all program standards through a combination of UNC coursework, prior coursework, or other approved documentation and completion of a licensure examination. However, a minimum of 15 semester hours must be taken at UNC.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Special Education M.A. — Visual Impairment Emphasis
Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Endorsement
Teaching American Sign Language M.A.