Special Education Program, MA/MS

Seeking compassionate, creative and resilient individuals who are strength-focused and committed to making a difference in the lives of students with exceptionalities and their families.

Special Education Program – MA/MS and Licensure Programs

Education Masters Classrooms Southern Oregon University

Special Education Program, MA/MS

Offered as a Master of Arts or Master of Science in Education
Licensure Program

The Special Education Preliminary Licensure Program is for candidates seeking to teach students with exceptionalities kindergarten through high school. When completed, the Special Education Preliminary Licensure Program results in a Master in Education degree and recommendation to the Oregon licensing commission for an Oregon teaching license with a Special Education endorsement. The Special Education Preliminary Licensure Program is a full‐year, full‐time program, beginning in the summer and ending in the following spring term. For those at a distance from Ashland, courses are offered face to face during the summer and via Zoom (video technology) during the school year. Recommendation for the teaching license requires completion of edTPA and passing the National Evaluation Series (NES) examination in special education in accordance with the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

Candidates seeking admission to the Special Education Preliminary Licensure Program must have at least a 3.0 GPA and pass a basic skills exam (e.g. NES‐EAS, CBEST or Praxis I). They must also have taken a Foundations of Special Education course and a Mathematics for Elementary Teachers course (Math 211) and have documented experience working with children, preferably children with exceptionalities.

APPLY TO THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Special Education Added Endorsement Program

Endorsement Program

The Special Education Added Endorsement Program is for candidates who hold, or are eligible to hold, an Oregon teaching license and wish to add the special education endorsement to that
license. The program is 32 credits and can be completed in one or two years. For those at a distance from Ashland, courses are offered face to face during the summer and via Zoom (video technology) during the school year. Recommendation for the endorsement requires completion of a work sample and passing the National Evaluation Series (NES) examination in special education in accordance with the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

A person can also opt to earn the master’s in Education degree by completing additional coursework. Candidates applying to the Special Education Added Endorsement program do so through the Master’s in Education (MEd) application process.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Specialist Program

Specialist Program

The Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Specialist Program is designed for special educators and speech language pathologists holding a communication disorders endorsement to add the ASD Specialist designation to their Oregon teaching license. The complete program of study is 19 credits. Courses in the ASD Program are also available to other educators wishing to gain knowledge and skills about ASD. Individual courses may be taken to upgrade skills and knowledge.

Applied Behavior Analyst-Autism Spectrum Disorder (ABA-ASD) Program

Master’s Degree Program

The ABA‐ASD Program is a collaborative 45‐credit graduate program between Southern Oregon University (SOU) and Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) leading to the Master’s Degree in Education (MEd) with emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The program is designed to meet the growing demand for well‐qualified professionals who provide services for families and individuals with ASD and other social/emotional conditions needing intensive behavioral interventions. The curriculum is comprised of OIT’s 27 credit BCBA® course sequence and 18 credits of SOU’s ASD course sequence. Upon completion, graduates will receive a Master’s Degree in Education from SOU and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from OIT. With the Graduate Certification in ABA and requisite supervised practicum, graduates will meet eligibility requirements to take the national exam to become a certified behavior analyst. NOTE: This program does not require or lead to an Oregon teaching license.

Degree Fit

Program Preparation

For the Preliminary program, candidates must complete a Foundations in Special Education course and Math 211. They must also pass the basic skills test and show evidence of having experience working with youth with exceptionalities.

Degree Roadmap

Students complete the required courses that give them the knowledge of Special Education laws and policies. They also learn to formulate individual plans for students with exceptionalities. They gain experience with students in resource rooms and site-based settings.

Capstone

Candidates must pass “Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment” examination prior to the end of the summer term, and the National Evaluation Series (NES) examination in special education for completion of the program. Preliminary Licensure candidates must complete an Education Teacher Performance Assessment (EdTPA) in accordance with Teacher Standards and Practices Commission requirements.