Special Education Master of Science in Education
The information on this page pertains to requirements for students who matriculated in the current academic year. Students who matriculated in a prior year should view historical catalog information here.
Program Options
Students have the option of receiving an endorsement while working toward their master's degree. Graduate students can also complete an endorsement-only program to obtain additional licensure.
- Instructional Strategist I (K-8)
- Instructional Strategist I (5-12) 2nd Endorsement Only
- Instructional Strategist II (K-12), Learning Disabilities/Behavioral Disorders
- Instructional Strategist II (K-12), Intellectual Disabilities
- Consultant Endorsement
- Work Experience Coordinator
Program Overview
Drake offers two areas of study in special education at the graduate level: a master's degree and an endorsement-only track. The programs' coursework prepare educators to teach in a challenging but rewarding field. Special education teachers work individually with students with disabilities to help them grow personally and academically.
Program Requirements
Master of Science in Special Education
The special education programs are designed to prepare highly competent special educators to teach students with mild or moderate disabilities, behavioral disorders or learning disabilities across a variety of school settings. The program accommodates applicants with a variety of backgrounds and interests, and with or without previous special education training. The applicant must currently hold a valid Iowa teacher's license either at the elementary or secondary level, and must meet graduate admission requirements for both the endorsement and Master's of Science in Special Education.
Instructional Strategist I - Elementary (K-8)
The Instructional Strategist I—Elementary MSE degree or endorsement will prepare pre-service or in-service teachers to provide instruction to students with mild to moderate disabilities in grades K-8 instructional settings.
- M.S.E. hours = 34
- Endorsement hours = 25-30
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 201 | EDUCATION RESEARCH 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 275 | LIT ASSESS, INST, & PRACT I | 3 |
| SPED 220 | INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION | 3 |
| SPED 223 | METHODS AND STRATEGIES FOR TEACHING EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS | 3 |
| SPED 251 | ASSESSMENT, DIAGNOSIS, AND EVALUATION | 3 |
| SPED 253 | APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS POSITIVE | 3 |
| SPED 272 | SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, AND DISABILITIES | 3 |
| SPED 277 | TRANSITION EDUCATION AND SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS | 3 |
| SPED 278 | CONSULT/INSTRUCTION TRAINING 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 211 | EDUCATION PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-8 | |
| STUDENT TEACHING SPECIAL EDUCATION - ELEMENTARY | ||
| PRACTICUM IN MILD AND MODERATE DISABILITIES K-8 | ||
| Total Hours | 33-38 | |
- 1
Required only for M.S.E.
Instructional Strategist I - Secondary (5-12) 2ND ENDORSEMENT ONLY
The Instructional Strategist I—Secondary MSE degree or endorsement will prepare pre-service or in-service teachers to provide instruction to students with mild to moderate disabilities in grades 5-12 instructional settings.
M.S.E. hours = 36
Endorsement hours = 27-32
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 201 | EDUCATION RESEARCH 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 275 | LIT ASSESS, INST, & PRACT I | 3 |
| SPED 220 | INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION | 3 |
| SPED 223 | METHODS AND STRATEGIES FOR TEACHING EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS | 3 |
| SPED 251 | ASSESSMENT, DIAGNOSIS, AND EVALUATION | 3 |
| SPED 253 | APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS POSITIVE | 3 |
| SPED 272 | SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, AND DISABILITIES | 3 |
| SPED 277 | TRANSITION EDUCATION AND SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS | 3 |
| SPED 278 | CONSULT/INSTRUCTION TRAINING 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 211 | EDUCATION PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-8 | |
| PRACTICUM IN MILD AND MODERATE DISABILITIES 5-12 | ||
| STUDENT TEACHING SPECIAL EDUCATION - SECONDARY | ||
| Total Hours | 33-38 | |
- 1
Required only for M.S.E.
Instructional Strategist II - K-12, Learning Disability/Behavioral Disorder
The Instructional Strategist II—MSE degree or endorsement will prepare teachers to provide instruction to students with moderate to severe learning disabilities and behavior disorders in K-12 instructional settings. Candidates for this endorsement must already hold a bachelor’s degree in teaching with an endorsement in special education.
M.S.E. hours = 39
Endorsement hours = 30
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 201 | EDUCATION RESEARCH 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 275 | LIT ASSESS, INST, & PRACT I | 3 |
| SPED 220 | INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION | 3 |
| SPED 223 | METHODS AND STRATEGIES FOR TEACHING EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS | 3 |
| SPED 225 | INTRODUCTION AND INTERVENTION FOR EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS | 3 |
| SPED 226 | EVIDENCE BASED INTERVENTIONS IN MODERATE/SEVERE LEARNING DISABILITIES | 3 |
| SPED 229 | PRACTICUM IN BEHAVIOR/LEARNING K-12 | 3 |
| SPED 251 | ASSESSMENT, DIAGNOSIS, AND EVALUATION | 3 |
| SPED 253 | APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS POSITIVE | 3 |
| SPED 272 | SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, AND DISABILITIES | 3 |
| SPED 276 | COORDINATION OF COOPERATIVE OCCUPATIONAL PROGRAMS | 2 |
| SPED 277 | TRANSITION EDUCATION AND SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS | 3 |
| SPED 278 | CONSULT/INSTRUCTION TRAINING 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 38 | |
- 1
Required only for M.S.E.
Instructional Strategist II - K-12, Intellectual Disabilities
The Instructional Strategist II endorsement will prepare teachers to provide instruction to students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities in K-12 instructional settings. Candidates for this endorsement must already hold a bachelor’s degree in teaching with an endorsement in special education.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 275 | LIT ASSESS, INST, & PRACT I | 3 |
| SPED 220 | INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION | 3 |
| SPED 223 | METHODS AND STRATEGIES FOR TEACHING EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS | 3 |
| SPED 224 | CURRICULUM AND METHODS FOR MODERATE/SEVERE INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES | 3 |
| SPED 225 | INTRODUCTION AND INTERVENTION FOR EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS | 3 |
| SPED 229 | PRACTICUM IN BEHAVIOR/LEARNING K-12 | 3 |
| SPED 251 | ASSESSMENT, DIAGNOSIS, AND EVALUATION | 3 |
| SPED 253 | APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS POSITIVE | 3 |
| SPED 254 | FIRST AID, HEALTH, AND SAFETY FOR MODERATE/SEVERE | 3 |
| SPED 272 | SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, AND DISABILITIES | 3 |
| SPED 276 | COORDINATION OF COOPERATIVE OCCUPATIONAL PROGRAMS | 2 |
| SPED 277 | TRANSITION EDUCATION AND SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS | 3 |
| Total Hours | 35 | |
Consultant in Special Education
The Special Education Consultant endorsement prepares students as specialists for consultant roles at the district, regional or state level. This program is designed to help future special education consultants understand how to research best practices and to evaluate research-based interventions and procedures with high fidelity. Must have, or be in pursuit of, a master’s degree in Special Education or a master’s degree in another area of education plus an endorsement in at least one special education instructional area.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 276 | CURRICULUM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| SUPERVISION OF INSTRUCTION | ||
| SPED 278 | CONSULT/INSTRUCTION TRAINING | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Work Experience Coordinator
The Work Experience Coordinator endorsement program prepares individuals to collaborate with community resources and parents, to build assistance teams, and to provide support service to secondary school programs (5-12). This endorsement is appropriate for individuals who already hold a secondary special education endorsement, have or are in pursuit of a 5-12 special education endorsement, and who wish to work with older students having disabilities in areas of school to work transition.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPED 274 | CAREER AND VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT | 3 |
| SPED 275 | CAREER, VOCATIONAL, AND TRANSITIONAL PLANNING | 1 |
| SPED 276 | COORDINATION OF COOPERATIVE OCCUPATIONAL PROGRAMS | 2 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Admission
- Applications are reviewed on an on-going basis; therefore, it is requested that all materials be submitted approximately 8 weeks prior to the beginning of the intended start-term.
- Upon the receipt of transcripts, an advisor will complete a transcript evaluation in order to determine any credit or course substitutions/transfers.
- Questions regarding the application process can be forwarded to the Coordinator of Graduate Admission at soegradadmission@drake.edu or 515-271-2552.