On-line Master of Science in Emotional Handicaps/Learning Disabilities
- Overview
- Admissions
- Courses
- Technology Requirements
- Costs
- Financial Aid & Fee Waiver
- Contact Information
Overview
The Master of Science in Emotional Handicaps/Learning Disabilities (EH/LD) 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. Please note that the name of the program will be changed in the near future to either "Special Education" or "Education of Students with Exceptionalities." This change of names will be reflected on transcripts and diplomas.
The program is a minimum of 33 semester hours and provides for specialization in severe disabilities (autism and severe cognitive disability), early childhood special education (birth through age 5 years), and high incidence disabilities. 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. The severe disability courses are designed to meet the requirements for Florida's Endorsement in Autism and Endorsement in Severe or Profound Disabilities. High incidence disability courses emphasize instruction in academic areas.
Graduates of distance learning programs at 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.
Admissions
Admission requirements for the Master's degree are:
- a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university,
- an upper division cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
OR - a minimum score of 1000 on the combined Verbal and Quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Information about the application process and on-line learning (including costs) at FSU is located at: http://learningforlife.fsu.edu/online/prospective/apply.cfm
Applicants must apply to Florida State University. Applicants will need to apply for the on-line EH/LD Program. The graduate application is available at: https://admissions.fsu.edu/gradapp
In addition to submitting an application, applicants will need to provide:
- a letter of intent identifying three professional goals to achieve during the program sent to the program contact faculty member;
- official undergraduate transcripts; and
- official record of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
In addition, a supplemental application should be completed in order for the university's distance education program to provide assistance during the application process. This supplemental application is available at: https://wapps.oddl.fsu.edu/student/supp_app/index.jsp.
Information about the GRE can be found at: http://www.gre.org/ The Sylvan Learning Center also administers the GRE: http://www.educate.com/homepage.html.
Courses
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 early childhood special education, high incidence disabilities, or severe disabilities. 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 semester hours) are:
- Adaptations and Accommodations for Learners with Disabilities
- Teaming with Families, Schools, and the Community1
- Preparing Individuals for Transition
- Positive Behavior Support (EEX 5248)2
- Literacy for Learners with Disabilities
- Assessment of Students with Disabilities
Early childhood special education specialization courses (15 semester hours) are:
- Typical and Atypical Early Development (EEX 5017)1,3
- Program Development for Young Children with Disabilities (EEX 5456) 1
- Assessment and Methods in Early Childhood Special Education (EEX 5455) 1
- Infant/Toddler and Family Assessment (IDS 5349)3
- Family-Centered Early Intervention (IDS 5348)3
Severe disabilities specialization courses (15 semester hours) are:
- Development and Assessment of Individuals with Severe Disabilities (EEX 5234)2,4
- Teaching Students with Autism (EEX 5298)2
- Teaching the Student with Profound Disabilities (EMR 5235)4
- Transition for Students with Severe Disabilities 4
- Autism and Severe Communication Disabilities (SPA 5432)2
High incidence disabilities specialization courses (15 semester hours) are:
- Middle and Secondary Curriculum for Special Educators
- Early Childhood and Elementary Curriculum for Special Educators
- Mathematics for Students with Disabilities
- Instructional Environments: Ethical, Legal, Safety, and Classroom Management Considerations (EEX 5245)
- Introduction to Special Education Technology (EEX 5245)
1 These courses meet the requirements for Florida Pre-Kindergarten Disability Endorsement.
2 These courses meet the requirements for the Florida Endorsement in Autism.
3 These courses meet the requirements for the Florida Infant Toddler Development Specialist Certificate
4 These courses meet the requirements for the Florida Endorsement in Severe or Profound Disabilities if students take an addition 3 semester hour practicum.
The last semester of the program, students are required to complete a culminating activity. During this semester, students register for EEX 8966: Master's Comprehensive Examination for zero (0) semester hours. At this time, students will complete an electronic portfolio organized around three professional goals established prior to beginning the program.
Please click here to download an Advising Handbook for students enrolled in this program. The Handbook contains additional information about the program.
Please click here to download an anticipated schedule of course offerings.
For more information about learning on-line at FSU go to http://online.fsu.edu.
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, and
- Send and receive e-mails.
Florida State University uses Blackboard for its distance learning instructional platform. For more information regarding technology requirements to use Blackboard, please go to: http://learningforlife.fsu.edu/online/prospective/technologyfaq.cfm .
Additional information about Blackboard is found at: http://campus.fsu.edu/help.html.
Costs
The courses in this program have been developed and delivered by full-time faculty or by adjuncts who have repeatedly taught courses in the special education program. Distance learning students, therefore, have the same high quality instruction as students on the main campus, plus special assistance from the Office of Distributed and Distance Learning to insure success. The University Board of Trustees establishes tuition and fees. Distance learning students are expected to pay tuition and other associated fees. For information about costs, please go to http://learningforlife.fsu.edu/online/prospective/graduateprograms/specialed.cfm.
Financial Aid & Fee Waiver
Students registered for at least six semester hours of course work may apply for Financial aid.
Contact Information
- Faculty program contact for course advising and program information:
Dr. Mary Frances Hanline
E-mail: mhanline@fsu.edu
Phone: 850-644-4880 - Program Assistant contact for assistance with admissions and course registration:
Ms. Timolin Bodison
E-mail: bodison@coe.fsu.edu
Phone: 850-644-4880 -
U.S. Mail:
Department of Childhood Education, Reading, and Disability Services
Attn: Dr. Mary Frances Hanline
Florida State University
205 Stone Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32306