Specialist in Education with a Major in Special Education
Credit Hours: 27
Learn More about the Specialist in Education: Special Education Program
The EdS-SPED degree is designed to meet the needs of teachers certified in Special Education who have completed a master's degree in special education. The program consists of a minimum of 27 graduate credit hours, including an Exit Examination and Research Project. In this program, candidates will be required to read, write, and research the major topics in Special Education. Candidates enroll in 15 hours of 7000 and 8000 level special education Content Specialization courses, and 12 hours of special education research. Most of the required courses include a designated artifact that is utilized as part of the assessment plan for each candidate. Students may begin the program any semester. During the initial advising session, a projected sequence of courses is developed for each student. Any changes in the projected sequence need to be determined jointly between student and advisor in order for the student to be able to complete the program in a timely manner.
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog. A program sheet, which provides a required coursework sequence, is available for download in the Courses tab below.
The EdS-SPED degree is designed to meet the needs of teachers certified in Special Education who have completed a master's degree in special education. The program consists of a minimum of 27 graduate credit hours, including an Exit Examination and Research Project. Students who do not have a master's degree in special education may qualify for entrance to the program through the completion of two 3-credit hour courses. In this program, candidates will be required to read, write, and research the major topics in Special Education. Candidates enroll in 15 hours of 7000 and 8000 level special education Content Specialization courses, and 12 hours of special education research. Most of the required courses include a designated artifact that is utilized as part of the assessment plan for each candidate. Program website and contacts: The Department of Special Education website includes other relevant information. Dr. Morris Council, Special Education Program Coordinator: mcouncil@westga.edu
Program Location
Carrollton Campus, Online
Method of Delivery
100% online*. Some elective* courses may require campus visits.
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 27
A transfer credit evaluation will be completed by the UWG Transfer Team (transfer@westga.edu). Course application to a program is subject to review by the department.
Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.
This program is offered entirely online. Though a student may choose to sign-up for a face-to-face elective or core course, one can earn this degree completely online.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited university of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen. In addition, online courses and programs can mean a huge cost-savings in many non-evident ways: No more high gas charges. No childcare needed. The flexibility can allow one to maintain a job while attending school. Regardless of state residency, out-of-state non-resident students are not charged non-resident tuition for online course credit hours.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-Face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, they will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For the cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
The EdS-SPED degree is designed to meet the needs of teachers certified in Special Education who have completed a master's degree in special education. The program consists of a minimum of 27 graduate credit hours, including an Exit Examination and Research Project. In this program, candidates will be required to read, write, and research the major topics in Special Education. Candidates enroll in 15 hours of 7000 and 8000 level special education Content Specialization courses, and 12 hours of special education research. Most of the required courses include a designated artifact that is utilized as part of the assessment plan for each candidate.
Downloads
General
This course is designed to assist the educator in developing and maintaining an appropriate service delivery model for students with special learning needs. Strategies used to assess program effectiveness are discussed.
Federal, state, and local organizational and administrative provisions for exceptional children; screening, identification, placement and ancillary services within educational settings. Teacher training and evaluation patterns will also be reviewed.
This course provides public school administrators and teachers the opportunity to examine the statutory and case law requirements of educating special populations.
This course explores the complexities of multicultural issues and topics in special education.
An in depth examination of curriculum development and implementation will be conducted. Students will examine research pertinent to the types of individuals they serve and design and modify educational programs based upon recent research findings and best practice literature.
Development of a complete research project paper. Prerequisites: SPED 8704 and SPED 8783
A comprehensive final examination is administered during the semester immediately preceding graduation to all candidates seeking a EdS degree. The exam is administered on the UWG campus in a computer lab or at a proctored site. This course should be taken during the last semester in the program.
Morris Council, III Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Assistant Department Chair
Toni Franklin
Associate Professor, Assistant Department Chair
Michelle Frazier Trotman Scott, Ph.D.
Director Of Graduate Affairs and Professor of Special Education
Katy Green, Ph.D.
Professor, Interim Department Chair
Brandy M. Locchetta, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Assistant Professor, ABA Program Coordinator
Samantha Mrstik, Ph.D.
Asst. Professor of Special Education
James Schwab, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Curriculum Instruction Assessment Lead
Trina Fortner Wood, Ed.D.
Lecturer, Assistant Department Chair
Guidelines for Admittance
- All graduate applicants must complete the online Grad Application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Applicants should also review the Graduate School website below for individual program specific requirements and tasks that must be completed prior to admission. Also see Graduate Studies Application Process.
- International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
Program Specific Admittance Guidelines
- Students are admitted in Summer, Fall, and Spring
- Official transcripts from all schools that have conferred degrees (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, etc.) are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Graduate Admissions Office.
- All applicants must:
- Complete requirements for a Master's degree from an accredited institution
- Present a cumulative 3.0 (4.0 scale) grade point average or higher on all graduate work
- Present a clear and renewable T-5 teaching certificate in special education or service certificate in speech-language pathology
- Submit a professional resume documenting 2 or more years of successful experience as a special education teacher, collaborative teacher working directly with students with disabilities, or speech-language pathologist in the school setting.
- All out-of-state students must verify with their local certification agency to determine if the sought-after degree will result in a certification upgrade.
Application Deadlines
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
* Application, app fee, and document deadline
See The Scoop for more specific deadlines.
Admission Process Checklist
The Graduate Studies Application Process checklist is available here
One exception: If you will not ever be traveling to a UWG campus or site, you may apply for an Immunization Exemption. Contact the Immunization Clerk with your request.
Contact
Graduate Admissions
graduate@westga.edu
678-839-1394
Dr. Morris Council
Pre-enrollment Advisor
mcouncil@westga.edu
Phone: 678-839-6121
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
Specific dates for Financial Aid, Fee Payment, Registration, Start/End of Term Dates, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.
- LO1-Candidates demonstrate knowledge and skills related to Leadership and Policy (CEC Advanced Special Education Content Standard 1).
- LO2-Candidates demonstrate knowledge and skills related to Program Development & Organization (CEC Advanced Special Education Content Standard 2).
- LO3-Candidates demonstrate knowledge and skills related to Research & Inquiry (CEC Advanced Special Education Content Standard 3).
- LO4-Candidates demonstrate knowledge and skills related to Student and Program Evaluation (CEC Advanced Special Education Content Standard 4).
- LO5-Candidates demonstrate knowledge and skills related to Professional Development and Ethical Practice (CEC Advanced Special Education Standard 5).
- LO6-Candidates demonstrate knowledge and skills related to Collaboration (CEC Advanced Special Education Standard 6).
- LO7-Candidates demonstrate appropriate professional dispositions.