M.Ed. in Teaching Students with Disabilities 4+1 Tracks

The K-12 concentration in the 4+1 track of the M.Ed. in Teaching Students with Disabilities program is open to current UD undergraduate Secondary Education majors and Elementary and Middle School Teacher Education majors in multilingual learner education, middle school English, middle school math, middle school science, and middle school social studies concentrations. The Autism/Severe Disabilities concentration in the 4+1 track of the M.Ed. in Teaching Students with Disabilities program is for current UD Early Childhood Education majors and Elementary and Middle School Teacher Education majors in the special education concentration.

This five-year program combines undergraduate and graduate coursework. Students will earn a bachelor’s degree in their major at the end of four years and an M.Ed. in Teaching Students with Disabilities in one additional year. Students who complete the M.Ed. requirements during the +1 year are eligible for additional teacher certification in their chosen concentration.

K-12 Concentration Course Requirements

Students complete 33 graduate credits for the M.Ed. in Teaching Students with Disabilities program. During the senior year, students complete 9 graduate credits (which may be in lieu of 9 undergraduate credits) and complete all remaining undergraduate requirements. During the +1 year, students complete 18 credits of graduate coursework plus 6 credits of a graduate teaching internship in special education in local K-12 schools (i.e., elementary, middle, or high).

• EDUC 653: Assistive Technology: High Incidence Disabilities
• EDUC 673: School-to-Adult Life Transitions and Disability
• EDUC 679: Special Education Instruction and Curriculum: Advanced
• EDUC 680: Educational Evaluation: Exceptional Children and Youth
• EDUC 681: Techniques for Behavior Change and Positive Behavior Support
• EDUC 682: Current Issues in Special Education
• EDUC 745: Collaborative Teaming in Special Education
  • OR EDUC 674 Special Education Instruction and Curriculum: Secondary
• EDUC 750: Graduate Teaching Internship (6 credits)
• EDUC 754: Special Education Instruction and Curriculum: Elementary
• EDUC 757: Diagnosis and Instruction in Literacy: Grades 4-12

Autism/Severe Disabilities Concentration Course Requirements

Students complete 33 graduate credits for the M.Ed. in Teaching Students with Disabilities program. During the senior year, students complete 9 graduate credits (which may be in lieu of 9 undergraduate credits) and complete all remaining undergraduate requirements. During the +1 year, students complete 18 credits of graduate coursework plus 6 credits of a graduate teaching internship in autism and severe disabilities in local K-12 schools (i.e., elementary, middle, or high).

• EDUC 624: Introduction to Autism and Severe Disabilities
• EDUC 625: Special Education Instruction and Curriculum: Autism/Severe
• EDUC 626: Functional Communication for Individuals with Autism and Severe Disabilities
• EDUC 655: Assistive Technology: Autism/Severe Disabilities
• EDUC 669: Engagement in the General Curriculum for Students with Severe Disabilities
• EDUC 673: School-to-Adult Life Transitions and Disability
• EDUC 681: Techniques for Behavior Change and Positive Behavior Support
• EDUC 682: Current Issues in Special Education
• EDUC 745: Collaborative Teaming in Special Education
• EDUC 750: Graduate Teaching Internship (6 credits)

Internship Requirement

To fulfill the 6-credit internship requirement, students are placed for 16 hours each week for nine months as graduate teaching interns in a local partnership school. Students receive supervision from UD and school staff.

Exit Requirements

• One of the exit requirements is the Praxis II Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications test.
• In addition, students must also complete a performance assessment as required by the state.

Application Information

Please see this page for information on applying to the M.Ed. in Teaching Students with Disabilities 4+1 track.