University of Utah Graduate Center at St. George
Graduate Programs for Educators

Master Of Education In Professional Practice In Special Education
(Without Teacher Licensure)

The M.Ed. in Professional Practice degree provides advanced professional preparation for careers in the public schools or other agencies providing services to individuals with disabilities and their families. Our graduates improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families by using the skills, knowledge, and values they learn at the U in research, teaching, and service. Students entering the Master of Education in Professional Practice degree program will often come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. For this reason, the degree is designed to provide a rigorous but flexible framework within which graduate students are able to meet degree requirements.

This program requires completion of a teacher education core in special education and a sequence of specialization courses in the particular field of study. The teacher education core has been designed to provide the student with skills in essential areas of assessment, instructional design and management, behavior management, collaboration, curriculum, and legal issues in special education.

Specialization courses expand upon the skills and methods that have been introduced through the teacher education core. The courses introduce specific educational strategies that are effective for particular student populations. Each program has been structured to develop the required skills through hands-on, practical learning opportunities; therefore, the different programs provide multiple field-based experiences. Such experiences within each program area give graduate students the opportunity to observe, question, test, and modify different instructional techniques under the guidance of a trained cooperating teacher and department faculty.

Course work

This M.Ed. in Special Education requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework, which includes classes in research methods, professional practice, electives, and allied areas. No internship is required.

Students complete the coursework and fieldwork requirements within one year of beginning the program, depending on time commitment and their availability to participate in summer courses.

Special Education Advisor
Patty Davis
patty.davis@utah.edu
801-581- 4764

Admissions Deadlines And Contact Information