Special Education, MEd

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The MEd in special education is available statewide and offers a program for candidates who wish to engage in a graduate course of study in the field of special education. The MEd interdisciplinary program consists of 31 semester credit hours in special education and related fields. The MEd in special education includes three tracks: *(a) Interdisciplinary, (b) Leadership and Research, and (c) Applied Behavior Analysis. Candidates must participate in a special education orientation prior to beginning their program.

*The Interdisciplinary track is limited to special cohorts.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit to Graduate Division the completed Graduate Application, and official transcripts. Candidates must also submit an application through the College of Education Mākālei (manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/content/special-education). Application materials submitted through Mākālei include: (a) three letters of recommendation attesting to academic and professional strengths, (b) unofficial transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work, and (c) the statement of objectives. A recorded interview is also required.

Requirements

The MEd in special education consists of a minimum of 31 credits, including 12 credits of required professional courses, and 18 credits in track specific content.

MEd candidates who desire to become a Behavior Analyst may choose this track as their area of emphasis in the MEd in Special Education program. Candidates take 7 prescribed courses in the Behavior Analysis sequence as their specialty area and complete the 4 required professional courses. The 7 course sequence is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB) as meeting the course work requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Examination®. Applicants will have to meet additional requirements as outlined by the (BACB) to qualify

MEd Candidates who choose the Leadership and Research track take five perscribed courses in the speciality area, two electives, and complete 4 required professional courses.

In all tracks, students are required to complete a capstone project. Both Plan A thesis and Plan B project are offered. Six credit hours of SPED 700 are required for plan A, and additional work in data analysis and research design may be necessary. Plan B requires a master’s paper/project and requires 1 credit of SPED 695 .

Graduates of the MEd program do not qualify for teacher licensure but may seek positions in education related fields and services.