Program Requirements:

All candidates must complete a thesis project. A minimum of 30-36 credits (depending on the specific program), including a thesis project is required for the MS degree. Students in the SPED MS Program are not required to complete a particular area of specialization but are encouraged to fill their required elective credits with courses that align with their particular interests. Students in the SPED MS with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) focus must complete a required course sequence (no elective credits).

All master’s students are required to enroll in courses that support their area(s) of interest. Courses may either be taken in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling or in other departments. Coursework taken post bachelor’s degree can be applied from licensure or endorsement areas such as:

Administrative/Supervisory
Dual Sensory Impairments
Early Childhood
English as a Second Language
Mild/Moderate
Reading
Severe Disabilities

Coursework can be applied from a single program or accrued across departments such as:

Elementary Education
Family and Human Development
Instructional Technology
Program Evaluation
Psychology
Secondary Education
Sociology or Social Work

For more specific information, please visit the department’s website: https://cehs.usu.edu/sperc/sped/masters/master-of-science.

Degree Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university is required for admission to and completion of a graduate program.
Graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for degree-program courses. Grades of C- or lower will not be accepted for a graduate degree.
The Program of Study for a master’s degree must include at least 15 semester credits at the level of 6000 or above.The program of study for a master’s degree cannot include more than 12 semester credits of courses at the 5000 level. Credits in the following areas are not acceptable in a degree program: foreign languages (unless included in an approved Program of Study), continuing graduate advisement, individual home study, military science, and courses numbered below 5000.
Coursework Validity: Coursework over eight years old at the time of degree completion may not be used for a graduate degree unless it is revalidated by the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies.
Approval of academic forms required for master’s students by the School of Graduate Studies.
Successful defense and submission of the project to the library.

Master’s forms:

Supervisory Committee Form
Program of Study
Thesis Proposal Approval
Appointment for Exam
Authorship & Copyright
Format and Style
Title Page
Graduation Application

M.S. with Applied Behavior Analysis Coursework

In the M.S. with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) concentration, students complete coursework that meets eligibility requirements to take the Behavior Analyst Certification Board Exam. Individuals already possessing a master’s degree can apply to take only the ABA courses. Students will gain valuable conceptual knowledge and clinical and research experience that will strengthen their professional skills and/or prepare them for further graduate study. For more specific information, please visit the department’s website: https://cehs.usu.edu/sperc/sped/masters/ms-with-aba

MS Transition Concentration

The Master of Science Transition Concentration degree program will prepare special education teachers licensed at the bachelor’s level and other eligible graduate students to (a) provide transition services preparing individuals with disabilities for adult living, and (b) support and monitor individuals with disabilities in post-secondary education and supported/competitive employment. Students will take “core” master’s courses along with transition-related courses.

Special Education - MS

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Program Overview

Program Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes