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Florida State / Education / Academic Programs / Departments / School of Teacher Education (STE) / Degree Programs / Special Education / Special Education Graduate / Online Master's
Special Education Graduate Program- Master's (Online)
On this Page:
Program Overview
Career Opportunities
Degree Requirements
Admission Requirements
Useful Links
Materials & Downloads
Program Contact
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Special Education Studies Program is designed for practicing teachers who wish to expand and/or update their knowledge of special education and/or to increase their ability to teach learners who experience disabilities. It is appropriate for individuals with degrees or teacher certification in special education, early childhood education, elementary education, or middle or high school education. This program is not designed to meet teacher certification requirements of any state.
The program is a minimum of 33 semester hours and provides for specialization in
- Severe disabilities (autism and severe cognitive disability)
- The severe disability courses are designed to meet the requirements for Florida's Endorsement in Autism and Endorsement in Severe or Profound Disabilities.
- Early childhood special education (birth through age 5 years)
- Early childhood special education courses are designed to meet the state of Florida's requirements for the Pre-Kindergarten Disability Endorsement and the Infant/Toddler Developmental Specialist certification.
- High incidence disabilities
- High incidence disability courses emphasize instruction in academic areas and access to the general education curriculum for learners with disabilities.
The endorsements may be added to appropriate Florida teaching certificates. Please see Florida’s Department of Education website for more information about endorsement requirements.
Graduates of distance learning programs at The Florida State University receive the same diploma and transcripts as students who graduate from traditional on-campus programs. Official transcripts do not differentiate on-line from traditional on-campus courses or degrees. Graduates are welcome to participate in commencement ceremonies.
Career Opportunities
~Coming soon.~
Degree Requirements
The program is a minimum of 33 semester hours, with 18 semester hours of required coursework. For the remaining 15 semester hours, students may specialize in one of the following:
All coursework is available on-line. A minimum of one required course is offered each fall and spring semesters; and two required courses are offered each summer. In addition, specialization courses are offered each semester. Practicing teachers may register for up to six semester hours fall and spring semesters.
Required courses (18)
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
| EEX 5089 | Adaptations and Accommodations for Learners with Disabilities | 3 |
| EEX 5225 | Assessment of Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| EEX 5286 | Preparing Individuals for Transition | 3 |
| EEX 5248 | Positive Behavior Support | 3 |
| EEX 5256 | Literacy for Learners with Disabilities | 3 |
| EEX 5708 | Teaming with Families, Schools, and the Community | 3 |
Specialization Area (15) Choose one of the following:
Early Childhood Special Education
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
| EEX 5017 | Typical and Atypical Early Development | 3 |
| EEX 5456 | Program Development for Young Children with Disabilities | 3 |
| EEX 5239 | Assessment and Methods in Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| IDS 5349 | Infant/Toddler and Family Assessment | 3 |
| IDS 5348 | Family-Centered Early Intervention | 3 |
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
| EEX 5087 | Middle and Secondary Curriculum for Special Educators | 3 |
| EEX 5704 | Early Childhood and Elementary Curriculum for Special Educators | 3 |
| EEX 5246 | Mathematics for Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| EEX 5235 | Instructional Environments: Ethical, Legal, Safety, and Classroom Management Considerations | 3 |
| EEX 5763 | Introduction to Special Education Technology | 3 |
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
| EEX 5234 | Development and Assessment of Individuals with Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| EEX 5298 | Teaching Students with Autism | 3 |
| EMR 5235 | Teaching the Student with Profound Disabilities | 3 |
| EEX 5774 | Transition for Students with Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| SPA 5432 | Autism and Severe Communication Disabilities | 3 |
Comprehensive Exam and Electronic Portfolio
The last semester of the program, students are required to complete a culminating activity. During this semester, students register for:
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
| EEX 8966 | Master's Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
At this time, students will complete an electronic portfolio organized around three professional goals established prior to beginning the program.
Technology Requirements
Students will be required to obtain an FSU/ACNS e-mail account in order to access the course website. In order to complete class requirements, class participants will need to be able to:
- Access the Internet
- Download and upload Word documents
- Download, view, and listen to PowerPoint documents
- Download PDF files
- Utilize Real Player or Windows Media to download, view, and listen to digitized videotapes
- Send and receive e-mails
Florida State University uses Blackboard for its distance learning instructional platform. Technology requirements to use Blackboard
Admission Requirements
Click here to view the admissions requirements for this degree.
Useful Links
Information about FSU Online Learning
Information about the GRE
Sylvan Learning Center (administers the GRE)
Materials & Downloads
Anticipated Schedule of Course Offerings
Program Contacts
FACULTY CONTACT (for advising)
Dr. Mary Frances Hanline
Associate Professor
2209J Stone Building
1114 W. Call Street
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4450
850.644.8417 (v)
mhanline@fsu.edu
PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Joe Lyons
Academic Support Assistant
G107 Stone Building
1114 West Call Street
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4459
(850) 644-2122 (v)
(850) 644-7736 (fax)
jglyons@fsu.edu