Master of Science in Special Education

Program Requirements

• Coursework: 27 hours
• Practicum: 6 hours
• Passing scores on exams

Practicum

Two practicum courses are required as a part of the MSSE program. The first practicum course, SPED 704 Adaptive Instructional Strategies and Methods Field Practicum requires 45 hours of supervised teaching. SPED 716 Advanced Practicum requires 90 supervised hours.

By the middle of the term preceding enrollment in each of the two required practicum courses, students must submit a Practicum Application form signed by a building principle or site supervisor and a cooperating teacher/mentor. This form must also be approved and signed by the SPED 704 or SPED 716 practicum course instructor. These forms are included in the handbook that is distributed in the first MSSE course.

Licensure

Students who have completed the MSSE program of study may apply to the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) for a two-year initial license in K-6, 5-8, or 6-12 adaptive special education. Applicants for the initial license are required to submit passing scores on two Praxis tests. A passing score of 160 is required for ETS 0353 Education of Exceptional Students: Core Content Knowledge and a passing score of 169 is required for ETS 0542 Education of Exceptional Students: Mild to Moderate Disabilities.

Register for these tests online. Results of the assessments must be sent to Baker University.