The special education master’s courses were designed with assistance from practicing public school professionals in the field of special education.
The M.S. in special education program of studies allows both general and special education instructors to improve their individual instructional skills to meet the new demands of the 21st century classroom. In today’s inclusive educational arena, regular education teachers must be prepared to provide instruction and accommodations for special needs students in regular classroom settings, while special education teachers must acquire advanced skills to work with regular education instructors in co-teaching classroom models. The program develops talents in teaching which will allow all students to learn from content experts in their field of expertise, while receiving the assistance needed from the instructors trained in the area of special education.
Click here for Professional Licensure Disclosures for this Program.
Assistive technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive and rehabilitative devices and practices for students with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating and using them across all academic settings, as well as for use under the domains of independent living, accessing the community and leisure activities.
Transition services are a current necessity of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students services under IDEA outlining transition goals and services for all students exiting K-12 education. This specialty area allows graduate students to gain the required knowledge, skills and competencies to assist youth and young adults with disabilities as they transition to postsecondary opportunities. Graduate students will learn to design and implement transition and career assessment strategies to help ensure the success of youth as they transition to adult life, as well as gain expertise necessary to guide families, schools and districts through this process.
The PDE Supervisor of Special Education Certification track includes the Pennsylvania Department of Education required 360 internship hours that are completed in the University’s advanced fieldwork class. Advanced degree-holders can earn the PDE certificate or a DelVal specialization certification by completing select courses in those areas.
DelVal also offers an M.S. in special education with dual certification: .
Effective July 5, 2024 the rate per credit hour for courses in the master's degree and certificate programs will be $560.* Registration for this summer session opens April 1, 2024.Â
*Excludes the PDE Letter of Eligibility (Superintendent)
Curriculum
Total degree requirements: 11 courses/33 or 34 credits
M.S. in Special Education - Core Required Courses
GE-6035 Teaching and Supervising Diverse Student Populations
GE-6065 Leadership and Management of Special Education Programs
GE-6211 Building Exemplary School Curriculum by Design
GE-6247 Action Research
GE-6250 Curriculum and Strategies for Students with Special Needs
GE-6260 Introduction to Transition Services in Special Education
GE-6270 Applied Behavior Analysis and Positive Behavior Supports
GE-6280 Technology and Universal Design for Special Education Students
Additionally, students must complete one specialization to earn the degree:
DelVal Assistive Technology Specialization CoursesÂ
GE-6282 Assistive Technology: Devices and Services
GE-6284 Assistive Technology Planning, Collaboration, and Implementation
GE-6288 Assistive Technology Capstone Course
Transition Services Specialization Courses
GE-6262 Assessment Models for Transition and Vocation
GE-6264 Transition and Vocational Curriculum for School-Based Services
GE-6268 Interagency Knowledge and Collaboration
PDE Supervisor of Special Education Courses
GE-6070 Instructional Leadership and Supervision
GE-6225 Special Education Law
GE-7020 Advanced Fieldwork
Dual Certification: Supervisor of Special Education and Administrative/Principal K-12
GE-6035 Teaching and Supervising Diverse Student Populations
GE-6065 Leadership and Management of Special Education Programs
GE-6155 Design, Development, and Assessment of Instruction
GE-6250 Curriculum and Strategies for Students with Special Needs
GE-6260 Introduction to Transition Services in Special Education
GE-6270 Applied Behavior Analysis and Positive Behavior Supports
GE-6280 Technology and Universal Design for Special Education Students
GE-6130 School and Community Relations *
GE-6140 School Personnel Administration *
GE-6220 School Law *
GE-6340 School Finance and Accounting *
GE-6225 Special Education Law
GE-7020 Advanced Fieldwork *
Total degree requirements: 40 credits
* courses in the Principal K-12 specialization