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Program Overview
Our Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Special Education online program is designed for educators who are focused on rewarding opportunities serving individuals with mild to severe disabilities through adaptive services and programs. Learn to apply the tools, technology and experience that help you increase your impact on the academic achievements of special education students in a variety of curricular leadership roles.
$11,082
Total Tuition
as few as 12 months
Program Duration
33
Credit Hours
100% online coursework in this program strengthens your problem-solving, decision-making and instructional leadership abilities in the development and support of curriculum used in special education. Develop skills in applying specialized classroom and behavior management techniques as well collaborating and consulting with families, school personnel and community members in educational settings.
Curriculum emphasizes practical application of advanced pedagogy, research, assessment and coaching to improve the learning experience. Specialization courses for this special education program include Teaching Diverse & Exceptional Learners, Classroom & Behavior Management of Exceptional Children, and Collaborate & Consult in Educational Settings. Two courses can apply toward Educational Diagnostician certification.
In the M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction online program, you will:- Synthesize and analyze current research to develop curriculum and instructional models
- Apply evidence-based teaching practices and methodologies
- Enhance instruction based on the synthesis, analysis, assessment and evaluation of data to ensure culturally competent teaching and learning
The Texas A&M International University College of Education is accredited by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification.
Tuition
Tuition for the M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Special Education online program is affordable and can be paid by the course. All fees are included.
In-State Tuition:
The following tuition applies only to Texas residents.
Per Credit Hour
$335.81
Per Three Credit Course
$1,007.43
Program Tuition
$11,082
Out-of-State Tuition:
| Per Credit Hour | Per Three Credit Course | Program Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| $973.91 | $2,920.82 | $32,129.02 |
Qualified applicants in certain programs may qualify for the TEACH Grant of up to $3,764 for the 2019-20 award year.* Please call for further information.
*The maximum grant amount can vary by year. TEACH Grants are available to qualified applicants and require approved recipients to sign a service agreement for certain teaching service obligations for four academic years. If obligations are not met within eight years after graduation, the grant will turn into a Direct Unsubsidized Loan that must be repaid with all accrued interest from the date of disbursement. For more information, please visit: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/teach or contact the Texas A&M International University Financial Aid Office.
[close-]Calendar
The M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Special Education program is delivered online, featuring 7-week courses and six start dates each year. Choose the start date that is best for you.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall I 2020 | 8/24/20 | 8/10/20 | 8/17/20 | 8/19/20 | 8/21/20 |
| Fall II 2020 | 10/19/20 | 10/5/20 | 10/12/20 | 10/14/20 | 10/16/20 |
| Spring I 2021 | 1/25/21 | 1/11/21 | 1/18/21 | 1/20/21 | 1/22/21 |
| Spring II 2021 | 3/22/21 | 3/8/21 | 3/15/21 | 3/17/21 | 3/22/21 |
| Summer I 2021 | 5/17/21 | 5/3/21 | 5/10/21 | 5/12/21 | 5/13/21 |
| Summer II 2021 | 7/5/21 | 6/21/21 | 6/28/21 | 6/30/21 | 7/2/21 |
Admissions
To apply for the M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Special Education online program, you must hold a bachelor's degree and submit transcripts verifying a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.
M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction online admission requirements- Bachelor's degree
- Minimum 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours
International Transcript Evaluation:
TAMIU does their own foreign credential evaluations. Graduate Studies does not require third party evaluations nor are obligated to accept the results, or GPA calculations, if an evaluation is submitted. If an applicant submits an official evaluation, the evaluation does not replace official transcripts or certificates of graduation.
Official transcripts from all institutions attended can be sent to:
Texas A&M International University
Graduate School
Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, Suite 223
5201 University Boulevard
Laredo, TX 78041
OR
Electronically to GraduateSchool@tamiu.edu
For documents, other than transcripts, please upload to your application portal located here. If transcripts are uploaded to the portal, you will be asked to resend all official transcripts by mail or email and will delay the application process.
Have a question? Call us at 844-872-8712.
[close-]Courses
Curriculum for the M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Special Education online program is comprised of 11 courses (33 credit hours). Students are required to take six core courses, which include a fixed first course (EDCI 5313: Foundations of Curriculum) and a capstone (EDCI 5317: Evaluation of Curriculum & Instruction); and five specialization courses.
You must take the following courses.
EDCI 5313: Foundations of Curriculum
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide a historical and conceptual foundation in the discipline of curriculum and instruction for those beginning their graduate work. It will cover the historical and philosophical beginnings of the traditional content taught in the public school systems in the U.S., from pre-kindergarten through completion of the academic core of post-secondary schooling. Examination of key components of the purpose and methods of instruction will punctuate the historical context to identify specific C&I elements in some of the following eras: ancient and pre-modern contributions, Pre-Colonial and Colonial American schooling, early foundations of instruction in the U.S., implications of modern C&I, and trends in post-modern C&I. A major element of the course will be the development of a research topic and subsequent student project focusing on the topic. Pre-requisites: Graduate Standing
EDCI 5316: Social and Cultural Studies of Education
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Engage in critical analysis of education’s place in today’s rapidly changing local and global society with a focus on comprehending education from historic, philosophic, social and cultural perspectives and the impact of those perspectives on current practice. Evaluate curricular and instructional perspectives and ways of viewing educational history from a theoretically informed lens. Critically examine the practices and policies used in schooling to enact decisions on curricular reforms in schooling with a critical understanding of diversity, social inequity, and equal educational opportunities. Pre-requisites: Graduate Standing
EDCI 5317: Evaluation of Curriculum & Instruction (Capstone)
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is a thorough treatment of various standard, research-based techniques for evaluation of instruction (i.e., authentic assessments, alternative assessments, qualitative and quantitative testing methods, and non-specific measurement methods). In addition, this course explores the concepts behind assessment, identifies various assessment tools and incorporates models of assessment appropriate for a variety of instructional settings. Pre-requisites: Graduate Standing
EDCI 5319: Advanced Theories for Learning
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is a general survey of theories of learning as they apply to the modern classroom. The course is designed to acquaint students with major historical and modern theories and their proponents of how children learn together, with implications for schools in modern society. Pre-requisites: Graduate Standing
EDGR 5320: Foundations of Educational Research
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course provides the competencies required for critical understanding, evaluation and utilization of published educational research. The course addresses quantitative and qualitative research methods. Topics include problem formulation and refinement; research design; sampling; measurement and data collection; data-analysis techniques; and the inference process.
EDCI 5321: Collegial Coaching and Mentoring
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses teacher leadership in the context of advancing the expertise and leadership of peers, thereby expanding the teacher-leader’s sphere of influence beyond the walls of the classroom. Teachers explore mentoring and coaching models designed to promote the professional growth of their colleagues. They learn and apply skills for mentoring novice teachers and for engaging in coaching relationships with peers at all stages of the teacher-development cycle. Various forms of collaboration with colleagues are addressed, and diversity—as well as interpersonal and communication skills—are emphasized. Pre-requisites: Graduate Standing
You must take the following courses.
EDSE 5305: Teaching Diverse & Exceptional Learners
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A survey of special education as seen from the perspective of normal psychomotor, cognitive, social and behavioral norms with the focus on a basic overview of the federally determined categories of disabling conditions. Also includes an overview of the national legislation; litigation and advocacy trends; the Texas Rules and Regulations for Special Education; as well as research in the field.
EDSE 5310: Survey of Mild Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Focus will be on legal issues relating to mild disabilities. Research topics in specified Supreme Court cases will be required. Important aspects of IDEA will be discussed. The educational focus will be on inclusion within the mainstream program, and cooperative service programs involving regular and special education teachers, consultative teaching, and content mastery programs. May be taken concurrently with EDSE 5305. Prerequisites: EDSE 5305.
EDSE 5315: Survey of Moderate, Severe & Profound Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Focus will be on legal issues relating to moderate, severe and profound disabilities. Research topics in specified Supreme Court case will be required. Important aspects of IDEA will be discussed. The educational focus will be on resource room and self-contained programs as well as special schools, hospitals or other long-term program. May be taken concurrently with EDSE 5305. Prerequisites: EDSE 5305.
EDSE 5325: Classroom & Behavior Management of Exceptional Children
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Each student will demonstrate mastery of major concepts and techniques of effective classroom and behavior management of exceptional students experiencing academic and/or behavioral difficulties.
EDSE 5364: Collaborate & Consult in Educational Settings
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed to effectively collaborate and consult with families, school personnel and community members in educational settings. Other topics include team membership, co-teaching, supervision of paraprofessionals, partnerships with families and development of interagency agreements to address the needs of individuals with disabilities.
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