University of Texas at El Paso Academic Catalog

Academic Catalog

M.Ed. - Special Education

The Department of Counseling, Special Education, and Educational Psychology offers a 30-credit hour Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education degree. This program has been designed for working education professionals (licensed or unlicensed) who wish to pursue graduate studies focusing on teaching diverse students with disabilities. The program does not include a teaching credential. However, the M.Ed. in Special Education may be combined with the Alternative Certification Program (ACP) for individuals seeking to receive their M.Ed. and Texas teaching license. For more information contact acp@utep.edu

Admission Requirements

A minimum 3.0 GPA on cumulative record (or 3.0 GPA in Education-Related Courses or final 60 undergraduate credit hours) prior to admission. Applicants are screened based on the quality of their application and the candidate's potential for success in the program via the assessment of the special education program admissions committee. Students must include the following in their application:

  1. Curriculum Vitae/Resume
  2. Statement of intent (including their intent for selecting their concentration)
  3. Two professional letters of reference
  4. Official undergraduate transcripts
  5. Applicants from countries where English is not the first language are required to demonstrate English proficiency. Please consult the graduate school website for required scores.

Capstone Project

Students will be required to conduct research and develop a project relevant to their local community or schools with regard to the education of students with special needs. The research project should reflect adherence to professional ethical research standards.

Concentrations

  • Bilingual Special Education (fully online)
  • Social-Emotional Learning (includes online and in-person courses)

Degree Plan

M.Ed. - Special Education with Concentration

Required Credits: 30

Special Education Core Requirements
Required Courses:
EDPC 5310Appl. Res. Des. for Coun & Spe3
SPED 5320Spec Ed-Historical Legal Basis3
SPED 5321Cont. Trends in Cult & Ling SE3
SPED 5337Assessment: Disability3
SPED 5361Positive Behavior Interv & Sup3
SPED 5378Capstone in Special Education3
Concentration
Select one of the following concentrations12
Total Hours30

Concentrations

Social-Emotional Learning

Required courses:
EDPC 5321School Counseling3
EDPC 5362Cnslng Chldren, Adlscnts & Fam3
SPED 5332Multi-Tiered SEL for SWD3
SPED 5333Field-Experience: SEL for SWD3
Total Hours12

Bilingual Special Education

Offered Online through UTEP Connect

Required courses:
SPED 5322Applications in Bil Spec Ed3
SPED 5330Early Childhood Bil Spec Ed3
SPED 5347Collaboration in Bil Spec Ed3
Elective course
Select one from the following: 3
Assessing Bilingual Learners
Teach Content & Lit in Spanish
Dual Language Education
Biliteracy
Content Area Intstr for EBs
Interv Stud w/High Incid Disab
Interv. Stud w/ Low Incid Dis
Total Hours12