College of Education and Human Development

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Curriculum and Instruction, MEd Concentration in ASTL: Special Education

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Individuals with special needs require unique instruction by specially trained professionals to prepare them to access the same opportunities (e.g., education, employment, and community engagement) available to their non-disabled peers.

The Special Education Concentration provides advanced expertise for educators, administrators, and other professionals providing services to individuals with special needs. Students select one of the following areas of emphasis: applied behavior analysis, assistive technology, students with disabilities who access the adapted curriculum, students with disabilities who access the general curriculum, autism spectrum disorders, blindness and visual impairments.

Core Courses (12 credits)

EDUC 606: Education and Culture (3 credit hours)
EDUC 612: Inquiry into Practice (2 credit hours)
EDUC 613: How Students Learn (3 credit hours)
EDUC 614: Designing and Assessing Teaching and Learning (2 credit hours)
EDUC 615: Educational Change (2 credit hours)

Concentration Courses (18 credits)

Students work with a Special Education advisor to select 18 credits of Special Education coursework in their chosen area of emphasis.

Choose 18 credits from the following

EDSE 619: Applied Behavior Analysis: Principles, Procedures, and Philosophy (3 credit hours)
EDSE 621: Applied Behavior Analysis: Empirical Bases (3 credit hours)
EDSE 623: Applied Behavior Analysis: Assessments and Interventions (3 credit hours)
EDSE 624: Applied Behavior Analysis: Applications (3 credit hours)
EDSE 625: Applied Behavior Analysis: Verbal Behavior (3 credit hours)
EDSE 664: Ethical and Professional Conduct for Behavior Analysis (3 credit hours)

Delivery format: Students may choose between a face-to-face or online format.

Face-to-face courses are held at the Fairfax campus. Students must begin the ABA courses in the fall semester. Two ABA courses are offered each semester (fall, spring, summer). In-state tuition and the VA Educator Discount are available for those who qualify.
The online format provides asynchronous courses in an 8-week modular calendar. Students take one course each 8 weeks. The online ABA courses are not eligible for in-state tuition or the VA Educator Discount. Tuition price is $775/credit for online ABA courses. When taking ASTL Core courses, students transition to the standard calendar and tuition pricing. ASTL Core classes are eligible for in-state tuition and the VA Educator Discount is available for those who qualify.

Choose 18 credits from the following

EDAT 510: Introduction to Assistive Technology (3 credit hours)
EDAT 521: Augmentative Communication (3 credit hours)
EDAT 522: Assistive Technology for Individuals with Sensory Impairments (3 credit hours)
EDAT 523: Accessibility and Input Modifications (3 credit hours)
EDAT 524: Universal Design for Learning (3 credit hours)
EDAT 525: Software and Mobile Applications for Individuals with Disabilities (3 credit hours)
EDAT 527: Assistive Technology for Independent Living and Employment (3 credit hours)

Delivery format: Assistive Technology courses are offered 100% online. In-state tuition and the VA Educator Discount are available for those who qualify. Students may start in fall, spring, or summer.

Choose 18 credits from the following

EDSE 620: Supporting the Behavior and Sensory Needs of Individuals with Autism (3 credit hours)
EDSE 634: Characteristics of Individuals with Autism (3 credit hours)
EDSE 635: Interventions for Individuals with Autism (3 credit hours)
EDSE 636: Supporting Communication and Literacy for Individuals with Autism (3 credit hours)
EDSE 637: Autism Across the Lifespan: Collaboration with Critical Partners (3 credit hours)
One additional advisor-approved three credit course*

*Students must choose an elective course from among the other ASTL Special Education emphases to complete the required 18 credits.

Delivery format: Offered 100% online. Asynchronous ASD courses are offered in an 8-week modular calendar. ASD courses are not eligible for in-state tuition or the VA Educator Discount. Tuition price is $775/credit for ASD courses. When taking Core courses, students transition to the standard calendar and tuition pricing. Core classes are eligible for in-state tuition and the VA Educator Discount is available for those who qualify. Student should meet with a Special Education advisor to outline a program plan.

Choose 18 credits from the following

EDAT 522: Assistive Technology for Individuals with Sensory Impairments (3 credit hours)
EDSE 511: Characteristics of Students with Visual Impairments (2 credit hours)
EDSE 512: Braille Code (3 credit hours)
EDSE 513: Medical and Educational Implications of Visual Impairments (3 credit hours)
EDSE 514: Orientation and Mobility for Students with Visual Impairments (2 credit hours)
EDSE 518: Curriculum and Assessment of Students with Visual Impairments (3 credit hours)
EDSE 532: Positive Behavior Supports (3 credit hours)
EDSE 613: Teaching Methods for Students with Visual Impairments (3 credit hours)
EDSE 616: Braille Reading and Writing (3 credit hours)
EDSE 663: Collaborative Teamwork to Support Students with Significant Disabilities (3 credit hours)

Delivery format: Visual Impairments Licensure coursework is offered primarily online, asynchronous and synchronous, with a face-to-face weekend in Fairfax for hands-on education in orientation and mobility. In-state tuition and the VA Educator Discount are available for those who qualify. Students may start their Visual Impairments courses in fall, spring, or summer.

EDSE 501: Introduction to Special Education (3 credit hours)^{1 & 2}
EDSE 502: Classroom Management and Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credit hours)^{1 & 2}
EDSE 503: Language Development and Reading (3 credit hours)²
EDSE 540: Characteristics of Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum (3 credit hours)²
EDSE 544: Adapted Instructional Methods and Transition for Secondary Learners (3 credit hours)²
EDSE 627: Assessment (3 credit hours)²
EDSE 628: Elementary Reading, Curriculum, Strategies for Students Who Access the General Education Curriculum (3 credit hours)²
EDSE 629: Secondary Curriculum and Strategies for Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum (3 credit hours)²
EDSE 662: Consultation and Collaboration (3 credit hours)²

¹Online option available.
²Face-to-face option available.

Delivery format: Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum courses are primarily face-to-face classes held at the Fairfax campus with some online course options. In-state tuition and the VA Educator Discount are available for those who qualify. Students may start these courses in fall, spring, or summer.

Choose 18 credits from the following

EDSE 501: Introduction to Special Education (3 credit hours)
EDSE 531: Transition and Community-Based Instruction (3 credit hours)
EDSE 532: Positive Behavior Supports (3 credit hours)
EDSE 533: Curriculum and Assessment in Severe Disabilities (3 credit hours)
EDSE 534: Communication and Severe Disabilities (3 credit hours)
EDSE 547: Medical and Developmental Risk Factors for Children with Disabilities (3 credit hours)
EDSE 557: Foundations of Language and Literacy for Diverse Learners (3 credit hours)
EDSE 661: Curriculum and Methods: Severe Disabilities (3 credit hours)
EDSE 663: Collaborative Teamwork to Support Students with Significant Disabilities (3 credit hours)
EDSE 669: Interdisciplinary Approach for Children with Sensory and Motor Disabilities (3 credit hours)

Delivery format: Students with Disabilities who Access the Adapted Curriculum courses are offered 100% online, in synchronous and asynchronous classes. In-state tuition and the VA Educator Discount are available for those who qualify. Students may start these emphasis courses in fall, spring, or summer.

ASTL Special Education Concentration Form (pdf)