Special Education, M.A.

Program Director: Lisa Keith, Psy.D.

The Master of Arts in Special Education prepares candidates to be leaders in their respective positions. Candidates learn how to utilize research to foster change based upon best practices. A minimum of 43 semester units of coursework including completion of an FPU Special Education credential is required for a Master of Arts in Special Education. All candidates must receive advisement and an education plan must be developed prior to admissions to the Master of Arts program. There are thirteen (13) core units. Thirty (30) SPEC units must be from select FPU Education Specialist Credential courses. MA courses are in a fully online format. Up to nine units may be transferred from another university.

Admissions Requirements

Official transcripts verifying bachelor's degree
Minimum GPA 3.0
Letter of explanation if GPA is under 3.0
Three current reference forms
Education plan completed by the MA Program Director
All official transcripts from colleges/universities attended
Academic writing sample
Copy of valid certificate of clearance
Verification of negative TB test (within last 12 months)

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno, Merced, Visalia, Online

Required Courses

Master of Arts Core (13 Units)

SPEC 708 - Abstract, Critical and Technical Writing Credits 2 *
SPEC 796 - Leadership & Communication Credits 1
ED 779 - Values in School and Society Credits 3
EDRH 794 - Thesis Introduction and Literature Review Credits 3 *
EDRH 795 - Research Methods in Education Credits 3
EDRH 796 - Thesis Completion Credits 1
*Students must be concurrently enrolled in SPEC 708 when taking EDRH 794

Elective Units

SPEC 601 - Foundations of Special Education and Health Credits 3
SPEC 602 - Special Education Laws, Ethics and Inclusion Credits 3
SPEC 605 - Positive Behavior Support Credits 3
SPEC 606 - Medical Implications Credits 2
SPEC 607 - Comparative Development ECSE Credits 3
SPEC 609 - Special Education: Assessment and IEPs Credits 3
SPEC 610 - Transition: Mild/Moderate Disabilities Credits 3
SPEC 611 - Transition: Moderate/Severe and Early Childhood Credits 3
SPEC 612 - Curriculum and Technology for Mild Moderate Credits 4
SPEC 613 - Curriculum and Technology for Moderate/Severe Disabilities Credits 3
SPEC 615 - Curriculum and Technology for Early Childhood Educators Credits 4
SPEC 620 - Early Childhood Special Education: Program Design and Development Credits 3
SPEC 749 - Physical, Health, and Intellectual Impairments Credits 3
SPEC 755 - Autism Spectrum Disorders Credits 3
SPEC 760 - Advanced Collaboration, Consultation and Inclusion Credits 3
SPEC 770 - Foundations for Working With Students With Emotional Disturbance Disorders Credits 3