Distance Masters in Special Ed with Behavior Analysis Option
The distance Master's program in special education at Texas A&M University is a 36 hour program that leads to a Master of Education (M.Ed.) or a Master of Science (M.S.) degree. This program will prepare educators to be leaders on their school campuses and expert teachers to effectively meet the needs of students with disabilities who are served in general education, special education, and community settings.
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WHO SHOULD APPLY?
- Special education teachers
- General education teachers who are interested in becoming better prepared to teach students with disabilities
- Others with undergraduate degrees who are interested in preparing for the Board Certification in Behavior Analysis® (BCBA®) exam (individuals currently possessing graduate degrees may choose to only take the required courses for the BCBA®)
WHY CHOOSE TAMU SPECIAL EDUCATION?
The Special Education Program at TAMU was recently rated among the top twenty graduate programs in U.S. News and World Report's Best Graduate Schools. Students who choose to take coursework with the Special Education faculty at TAMU will learn from and work with nationally and internationally-recognized faculty members. These faculty members share a commitment to preparing educators to use scientifically-supported interventions, assessments, and practices; collaborate with family members and other professionals; meet the needs of diverse learners; and serve individuals at-risk and those with disabilities in a variety of settings.
Individuals who are interested in working with individuals with challenging behaviors or autism may be interested in the applied behavior analysis option. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® has approved the following course sequence as meeting the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Examination®: SEFB 618, SPED 609, SPED 642, SPED 699, and EPSY 630 (see below for course titles). The BACB® has also approved the following practicum sequence of courses (take three) toward the experience requirements for eligibility to take the BCBA® Examination: SEFB 425 (sections: 750, 751, and 752) or three sections of SEFB 625 (designated BCBA® sections; additional research courses may apply). Students may take all three during fall and/or spring semesters or or may take one of the three required sections in the summer. Applicants may need to meet additional requirements to qualify (see the BACB® website for more information of the certification process: www.bacb.com).
BCBA PRACTICUM UPDATE
Texas A&M University has made changes to policies and procedures that affect the ability of the Special Education program to provide distance supervision for practicum experiences related to the BCBA. We currently only provide supervision for students who are enrolled in BCBA coursework at TAMU and who work directly and locally with faculty in practicum experiences. This does not impact our ability to offer the BCBA coursework, which will continue to be offered online.
OUR MASTER'S PROGRAM AND ABA COURSEWORK AND TRANSCRIPTED GRADUATE CERTIFICATE ARE UP AND RUNNING – this suspension only applies to our BCBA-approved practicum.
M.Ed. IN SPECIAL EDUCATION DISTANCE COURSES
Online Courses will be Phased in Beginning in Fall 2010
| SPED 630 | Reading for At-Risk/LD Students | 3 cr |
| SEFB 618* |
Applied Behavior Management | 3 cr |
| SPED 609* |
Educating Children & Youth with Autism | 3 cr |
| SPED 617 | Contemporary Instructional Strategies in SPED | 3 cr |
| SPED 615 | Special Education Assessment | 3 cr |
| SPED 628 | Consultation in SPED | 3 cr |
| SPED 642* | Program Development for Students with Behavior Problems | 3 cr |
| SEFB 610 | Special Education and the Family | 3 cr |
| SPED 632 | Transition from School to Work | 3 cr |
| SPED 699* | Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 cr |
| EPSY 630* | Single-Case Research | 3 cr |
| SPED 620 | Bilingual Special Education | 3 cr |
| Total | 36 cr |
*Required courses for those interested in the applied behavior analysis option. The applied behavior analysis option courses are one requirement for the BCBA® exam, although additional requirements apply (visit www.bacb.com).
FORMAT OF ONLINE COURSES & HARDWARE & SOFTWARE YOU WILL NEED
Classes meet online in both synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous (on-demand) formats. In other words, some of your courses will use live audio/video interactions, some will involve materials the professor uploads for your access when you choose, and some will use a combination of these formats. At a minimum, you will need a computer with high-speed internet access, an internet browser, video viewing software, a web cam, a microphone and speaker or a headset with a speaker, and access to a digital video recorder (most new computer laptops can be purchased with the camera, mic, speakers and recorders built in for a low cost).
ADMISSIONS
Graduate admission information and requirements: http://epsy.tamu.edu/articles/graduate_admissions
APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR FALL SEMESTER:
March 15 (Fall semester only)
GRADUATE ACADEMIC ADVISOR
Department of Educational Psychology
(979) 845-1833
epsyadvisor@tamu.edu
