Special Education Master's Program
Special Education: Certification and Non-Certification Programs
The Department of Psychology and Special Education offers majors and minors in special education resulting in the M.A., M.S., and M.Ed. A variety of specific coursework options exist, including those that do and do not lead toward certification; for example, the program for educational diagnosticians. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available.
Students attending A&M-Commerce as special education students may select to participate at one or all of our three campus locations: the main campus in Commerce, the Metroplex Campus in Mesquite or the Navarro location. Faculty members in Special Education are diverse in training, backgrounds and interests creating an excellent opportunity for graduate student preparation in this high-needs field.
Graduate Programs:
Graduates can obtain one of three degrees: the Master's of Arts, Master's of Science, and the Master's of Education according to the area of student interest and degree requirements sought. Minors in special education graduate studies are also available at the Master's level (12 hours in an area of concentration) and Doctoral level.
Educational Diagnostician:
The Department of Psychology and Special Education offers a master's degree leading to certification as an Educational Diagnostician. This program includes 42 hours of coursework including specific training in diagnosis and intervention strategies for individuals with special needs. We are pleased that our graduates approach 100 percent employment throughout Texas. For more information, contact Patricia Parrish (patricia_parrish@tamu-commerce.edu).
Coursework for Educational Diagnostician Degree Path (download pdf)
I. Knowledge of Assessment, Foundations, and Professional Roles (9 hours)
SpEd 520 Introduction to Exceptional Children
SpEd 524 Characteristics of Students with Mild Disabilities
SpEd 526 Characteristics of Students with Moderate Disabilities
II. Assessment and Evaluation (12 hours)
Psy/SpEd 572 Foundations of Psychological Assessment (Pre-requisite SpEd 520)
Psy/SpEd 573 Assessment I (Pre-requisite Psy/SpEd 572)
SpEd 574 Appraisal of Exceptional Children (Pre-requisite Psy/SpEd 572, 573 and SpEd 524,526)
Psy 635 Advanced Behavioral Assessment and Intervention
III. Curriculum and Instruction (15 hours)
Psy/SpEd 535 Applied Behavior Analysis
SpEd 553 Cognition, Learning, and Development (Pre-requisite SpEd 520)
SpEd 580 Adaptive Behavior in Exceptional Children (Pre-requisite SpEd 520,524,526)
SpEd 586 Inclusion (Pre-requisite SpEd 520,524,526)
Psy/SpEd 605 Single Subject Design
IV. Practicum (3 hours)
Psy 691 Practicum in Psychology (Pre-requisites SpEd 520, 524, 526, 574, 586 Psy/SpEd 535, 572, 573, 605 Psy 635)
For Master’s Degree (download pdf):
V. Research
SpEd 518 Thesis (6 semester hours); or
SpEd 595 Research Literature and Techniques (3 semester hours)
Pre-requisites:
1. Acceptance into department’s master’s degree program for diagnostician certification. Applications will be reviewed monthly. (If master’s degree is currently held, acceptance into diagnostician certification program is required);
2. Admission to the Educator’s Certification Program;
3. Completion of deficiency/degree plan (Coursework applied to certification cannot exceed 6 years of age at the time of program completion);
4. Master's of Science/Education degree candidates must successfully complete the comprehensive exam (May be taken after 18 hours in psychology/special education as identified on deficiency/degree plan);
5. Two years teaching experience (Approved by SBEC and may be obtained concomitantly with degree/deficiency plan completion); and
6. Only 4 courses may be transferred from a non-degree to a degree program.
7. Approval to Register for Practicum is required. Approval to register for practicum will be given via email when the student has completed SpEd 520, 574, 580, SpEd/Psy 535, SpEd/Psy 572, SpEd/Psy 573, Psy 635 and with a GPA of 3.50 or greater; student demonstrates the above criteria and has 6 semester hours or fewer to complete with an overall GPa of 3.50 or greater. Three semester hours must be Psy 691.
8. Approval to register for practicum does NOT guarantee admittance to Psy 691.
TExES Requirements:
9. A minimum of 12 graduate semester hours taken at A&M-Commerce as certifying institution;
10. Approval for TExES will be given when all coursework is completed or during the last semester of coursework (not to exceed 6 SH);
11. Approval for the TExES exam requires a GPA of 3.50 on *SpEd 520, *Psy/SpEd 572, *Psy/SpEd 573, *SpEd 574, *Psy 691;
12. An overall GPA of 3.50 over ALL coursework used for certification.
Generic Special Education Certification (Thesis or non-thesis):
The Department of Psychology and Special Education offers a master's degree leading to Generic Certification in Special Education. This 36 hour program includes areas of coursework concentration in identification and diagnosis of and intervention for learners with special needs. For more information, contact Harvetta Robertson (harvetta_robertson@tamu-commerce.edu).
Master's Program (no certification):
The Department of Psychology and Special Education offers a master's degree with no certification. This 36 hour program can be designed to address an array of interests in serving individuals with special needs. The student may select from a thesis or non-thesis program. For more information, contact Harvetta Robertson (harvetta_robertson@tamu-commerce.edu).
Admission: Master's of Arts, Master's of Science, and Master's of Education in Special Education
In addition to meeting the general university requirements for admission to the Graduate School, applicants to the master’s degree program in special education must:
1. Have a grade point average of at least “B” (3.00) in all advanced or graduate special education courses taken.
2. Have a satisfactory background in education, psychology, or related areas.
3. Have all deficiencies removed prior to admission to the program.
4. Submit three letters of recommendation.
5. Submit a statement of goals.
6. Submit scores for the quantitative, verbal, and writing sections of the GRE. (Undergraduate seniors who plan to apply for graduate training should arrange to take the GRE during their senior year.)
In addition, applicants may submit for departmental review additional materials or a portfolio to support their application, including items such as awards, certificates of merit, examples of innovative program/curriculum development, publications, and a resume. Students seeking admission will be required to have approval of the department’s graduate faculty.
