Special Education
Program Mission: The Master's of Science in Special Education is designed to prepare educational personnel for the diverse roles they will be asked to play in special education. This flexible program is designed for teachers with special education certification, teachers with regular education certification, and individuals without certification preparing for a career in special education. Individuals who desire initial or additional certifications may be required to complete additional course work.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs"). In addition, the student must provide the following documents:
- Official transcripts to the department and university documenting
- all prior course work and evidence of having earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution approved by Eastern Illinois University with a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.75 GPA for the last 60 hours of graded academic coursework as defined by the Graduate School. If these standards are not met, the student may complete nine semester hours of graduate level courses in the department with a grade point average of 3.3 or higher.
- Two letters of recommendation which must address the student’s potential to engage successfully in graduate study. One letter should document experience with children or adults with exceptionalities such as teaching, student teaching volunteer work, private or public agency experience.
- Official admission test scores (GRE, MAT, or GMAT).
- A written statement of future professional goals minimally one paragraph in length.
- A three-to-five page position paper, literature review, or research paper. The paper must be submitted in a format consistent with the most recent edition of the American Psychological Association Publication Manual and include a minimum of five references.
These documents will be considered as the advisor and student formulate a study plan that will include the student’s professional goals, extent of experience with individuals with exceptionalities, and the students’ professional writing competencies.
Study Plan Approval: The study plan shall be approved by the department and filed with the departmental graduate coordinator prior to the completion of 12 semester hours of graduate credit which count toward the graduate degree.Degree Requirements
Degree requirements include those outlined for the master of science in education degree by the Graduate School (see "Requirements for the Master of Science in Education Degree"). The program offers a thesis and non-thesis option.
Curriculum for the Master of Science in Education in Special Education Non-Thesis Option
Total. Credits: 36
Students in the non-thesis option must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of study for the degree. A minimum of 17 semester hours of all graduate work must be in courses numbered 5000 or higher.
- Basic Education Courses. Credits: 8 to 9
(selected from the list below) - Special Education and Elective Courses (minimum). Credits: 21 to 22
Core Courses in Special Education:
Curriculum for the Master of Science in Education in Special Education Thesis Option
Total. Credits: 33 to 36
Students in the thesis option must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of study in addition to thesis hours for the degree. A minimum of 15 semester hours of all graduate work must be in courses numbered 5000 or higher.
- Basic Education Courses. Credits: 8 to 9
- Special Education and Elective Courses (minimum). Credits: 15 to 16
- Thesis. Credits: 3 to 6
Core Courses in Special Education:
The 8 semester hours of basic education courses may be selected from the list that follows:
The Following Regulations Apply to Both Degree Options
- A minimum of 21 semester hours must be in courses in the field of special education. Students may select courses or electives from other departments with advisor approval.
- A maximum of 10 semester hours of courses numbered 4750 to 4999 may be applied to the degree.
- A maximum of six semester hours of appropriate transfer courses (graded courses earning a grade of B or better) from an accredited institution may be applied to a degree.
Graduate Assistantships
Information on graduate assistantships may be obtained by contacting the Coordinator of Graduate Studies or Chair, Department of Special Education, Buzzard Hall 1212, EIU.
Information sourced from the 2003-2005 EIU Graduate Catalog.