In This Section

The online Master of Education in Special Education program requires you to complete 33 credits. You will complete the core and capstone courses and choose an area of emphasis to round out your program of study, which is composed of:

  1. Prescribed core courses in special education (6 credits)
  2. Emphasis courses that you choose to provide a greater depth of content knowledge (24 credits)
  3. Prescribed capstone course to prepare you in the field (3 credits)

Course List - Master of Education in Special Education

Core Curriculum (6 credits)
Title Abbreviation Credits
Teaching Learners with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings SPLED 525 3 credits
Introduction to Research in Special Education SPLED 573 3 credits

Choose an Emphasis Area

Applied Behavior Analysis (24 credits)
Title Abbreviation Credits
Single Case Research SPLED 505 3 credits
Current Issues in Special Education SPLED 520 3 credits
Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis SPLED 806 3 credits
Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior  Analysis SPLED 807 3 credits
Assessment of Behavior in Contexts SPLED 808 3 credits
Behavioral Change Procedures and Management I SPLED 809 3 credits

Behavioral Change Procedures and Management II

*This is a 5-day, on-campus course held in early August that corresponds with Penn State’s National Autism Conference. TRAVEL IS REQUIRED.

 SPLED 810 3 credits
Ethical Considerations for Special Education Populations            SPLED 811 3 credits
Autism (24 credits)
Title Abbreviation Credits
Intro to Autism Spectrum Disorders: Issues and Concerns SPLED 461 3 credits
Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis SPLED 462 3 credits
Communication and Social Competence SPLED 463 3 credits
Assessment and Curriculum SPLED 464 3 credits
Current Issues in Special Education SPLED 520 3 credits
Electives at the 500 or 800 level TBD 9 credits
Academic and Behavioral Supports (24 credits)
Title Abbreviation Credits
Learning Processes in Relation to Educational Practices EDPSY 421 3 credits
Principles of Instructional Supervision EDLDR 861 3 credits
Assistive Technology for General Education Teachers SPLED 419 3 credits
Evidence-Based Student, Classroom, and School-wide Behavior Supports SPLED 801 3 credits
Design and Delivery of Evidence-Based Instruction for Learners with Special Needs SPLED 802 3 credits
Evidence-Based Assessment for Teaching Learners with Special Needs SPLED 803 3 credits
Current Issues in Special Education SPLED 520 3 credits
Elective TBD 3 credits
Capstone Course (3 credits)
Title Abbreviation Credits
Capstone Seminar in Special Education SPLED 521 3 credits

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.