The Program in the Department of Educational Psychology (EPSY) offers two graduate degrees with an area of concentration in Special Education: a Master of Arts (M.A.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). (In addition, the Department of Educational Psychology offers a Sixth-Year Certificate in Special Education).
Students can enter the Master’s program through one of two routes. The first is through the teacher education/preparation track, which has two paths: the Integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s (IBM) degree program, which is intended for undergraduates at the University of Connecticut who continue on for a fifth year to earn an M.A. degree, and the Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates (TCPCG), which is intended for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree in a major unrelated to education. The programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Connecticut State Board of Education.
Alternatively, students can pursue a master’s degree for reasons other than certification. The non-certification Master’s program is designed for a broad range of professionals (e.g., general or special education teachers, graduates in related fields) to provide in-depth learning and experiences related to supporting children and adults with disabilities and at risk for learning and behavioral difficulties. This program provides advanced study in three areas: Literacy Supports for Students at Risk for Learning Difficulties; School-wide Positive Behavior Supports (SWPBS); and Transition and Postsecondary Supports. Students also may design an individualized plan of study with the approval of their major advisor.
Location
Modality
Non-Certification Master of Arts Requirements
The Master’s program requires 30 credits in total, which must include the following courses:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| EPSY 5092 | Practicum | 3-6 |
| EPSY 5119 | Policy, Law, and Ethics in Special Education | 3 |
| EPSY 5121 | Developmental Foundations of Exceptionality | 3 |
| EPSY 5601 | Principles and Methods in Educational Research | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12-15 |
Integrated Bachelor's/Master's (IBM)
IBM Concentration in Special Education (Grades K-12)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| EPSY 5116 | Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| EPSY 5142 | Individualized Positive Behavior Support | 3 |
| 3 |
| Beginning Reading Supports for Students with Learning Difficulties | |
| Adolescent Reading Supports for Students with Learning Difficulties | |
| Writing Supports for Students with Learning Difficulties | |
| EPSY 5195 | Workshop in Education | 2 |
| EDCI 5092 | Practicum | 3 |
| EDCI 5093 | Advanced Practicum | 4 |
| EDCI 5094 | Seminar | 3 |
| EDCI 5095 | Advanced Seminar | 3 |
| 3 |
| Bilingualism and Second Language Acquisition | |
| Latinos and U.S. Education | |
| Sheltered English Instruction for English Language Learners | |
| Language Diversity and Literacy | |
| Multicultural Education | |
| Introduction to Critical Pedagogy | |
| Educational Linguistics | |
| Teaching for Intercultural Citizenship and Human Rights I | |
| Teaching for Intercultural Citizenship and Human Rights II | |
| EPSY 5221 | Wise Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning Environments | 1 |
| 3 |
| Beginning Reading Supports for Students with Learning Difficulties | |
| Adolescent Reading Supports for Students with Learning Difficulties | |
| Writing Supports for Students with Learning Difficulties | |
| Policy, Law, and Ethics in Special Education | |
| Developmental Foundations of Exceptionality | |
| Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities | |
| Issues in Postsecondary Disability Services | |
| Applied Behavior Analysis | |
| Total Credits | 31 |
Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates (TCPCG)
Concentration in Special Education (Grades PK-12)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| EDCI 5050 | TCPCG Seminar I: Student Teaching Seminar | 3 |
| EDCI 5060 | Social and Multicultural Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDCI 5065 | Learning Theories | 3 |
| EPSY 5092 | Practicum | 3 |
| EPSY 5113 | Beginning Reading Supports for Students with Learning Difficulties | 3 |
| EPSY 5116 | Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| EPSY 5121 | Developmental Foundations of Exceptionality | 3 |
| EPSY 5123 | Instructional Strategies and Adaptations for Students with Special Learning Needs | 3 |
| EPSY 5140 | Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| EPSY 5141 | Classroom and Behavior Management for Special Educators | 3 |
| EPSY 5195 | Workshop in Education | 3 |
| EPSY 5221 | Wise Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning Environments | 1 |
| EPSY 5396 | Directed Student Teaching for Students in the Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates | 9 |
| Total Credits | 43 |
Exam/Culminating Portfolio Requirement
Will be directed by student’s advisor (not filed with The Graduate School by prior arrangement).