Candidates successfully completing the Master of Science in Special Education will be able to obtain an endorsement in the areas of Learning Behavior Specialist II (LBS II) Curriculum Adaptation Specialist (CAS) or Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS) or both. The LBS II is offered in a hybrid format with only 3 face-to-face Saturday classes each semester.
The three master’s degree options are:
- Combined Curriculum Adaptation Specialist (CAS) and Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS) master’s program,
- CAS-only master’s program, and
- BIS-only master’s program.
The CAS core courses prepare candidates to work collaboratively with the general education program professionals to include students with disabilities. These courses focus on making adaptations and modifications to curriculum and instruction for individuals with special needs in inclusive classroom settings. The BIS core courses prepare candidates in assessment and intervention for students who exhibit emotional and/ or behavioral challenges in a variety of settings such as public schools, therapeutic day schools and alternative settings. The CAS and BIS core courses are embedded in three master’s degree program options.
The Combined CAS-BIS masters degree program option is a 30 credit hour program designed to provide advanced training in the areas of curriculum adaptations and behavior intervention for licensed special education teachers, holding an LBS I (P-21) endorsement on the Professional Education License. It leads to preparation for an additional endorsement of Learning Behavior Specialist II in Curriculum Adaptation Specialist (CAS) and Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS). For the combined CAS-BIS program, candidates will complete the following: the CAS core coursework and the BIS core coursework, plus a three semester hour capstone experience project.
The CAS-only option is a 30-hour masters level program designed to offer an endorsement in the CAS area only. Candidates will complete the following: the fifteen semester hour CAS core courses, plus four additional graduate electives (12 semester hours), and the capstone experience course (three semester hours).
The BIS-only option is a 30-hour masters level program designed to offer an endorsement in the BIS area only. Candidates will complete the following: the fifteen semester hour BIS core courses, plus four additional graduate electives (12 semester hours), and the capstone experience course (three semester hours).
Requirements for Admission to the Master of Science Degree Program:
Applicants must fulfill the requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies and Research. In addition, applicants must hold an LBS I (K-12 or P-21), Blind and Visually Impaired (or equivalent), Deaf/Hard of Hearing (or equivalent) or Speech-Language Pathology on a type 10 and have passed the ILTS Content Test for that credential. A spontaneous writing sample and department interview are required at the discretion of the Department.
Course Requirements for Master of Science in Special Education (LBS II)
Combined CAS-BIS Program/MS Option:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPED-522 | Foundations & Practices In Challenging Behaviors | 3 |
| SPED-523 | Educational Assessment & Planning For Positive Behavior Management | 3 |
| SPED-521 | Issues & Interventions For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Communication Disorder | 3 |
| SPED-519 | Collaborative Relationships In Special Education | 3 |
| SPED-524 | Practicum In Behavior Disorders 1 | 3 |
| SPED-526 | Adaptations Of Curriculum | 3 |
| SPED-527 | Language Based Disorders | 3 |
| SPED-525 | Alternative Assessment & Test Accommodations | 3 |
| SPED-529 | Curriculum Practicum 2 | 3 |
| SPED-530 | Capstone Project 3 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| 1 | taken after BIS core courses (SPED 521, 522 and 523) |
| 2 | taken after CAS core courses (SPED 525, 526 and 527) |
| 3 | taken after BIS and CAS core courses |
CAS-Only Program/MS Option:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPED-526 | Adaptations Of Curriculum | 3 |
| SPED-527 | Language Based Disorders | 3 |
| SPED-519 | Collaborative Relationships In Special Education | 3 |
| SPED-525 | Alternative Assessment & Test Accommodations | 3 |
| SPED-529 | Curriculum Practicum 1 | 3 |
| Four graduate elective courses | ||
| SPED-530 | Capstone Project 2 | 3 |
| Subtotal | 30 | |
| 1 | taken after CAS core courses (SPED 525, 526 and 527) |
| 2 | taken any time after CAS core courses plus at least 24 hours |
BIS-Only Program/MS Option:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPED-522 | Foundations & Practices In Challenging Behaviors | 3 |
| SPED-523 | Educational Assessment & Planning For Positive Behavior Management | 3 |
| SPED-521 | Issues & Interventions For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Communication Disorder | 3 |
| SPED-519 | Collaborative Relationships In Special Education | 3 |
| SPED-524 | Practicum In Behavior Disorders 1 | 3 |
| Four graduate elective courses | ||
| SPED-530 | Capstone Project 2 | 3 |
| Subtotal | 30 | |
| 1 | Taken after BIS core courses (SPED 521, 522, and 523). |
| 2 | Taken anytime after BIS core courses plus at least 24 hours. |
There are three endorsement-only options:
- Endorsement-only LBS II CAS (15 hours)
- Endorsement-only LBS II BIS (15 hours)
- Endorsement-only LBS II CAS and BIS (25 hours)
Students take the core courses and the ILTS Content Test (LBS II CAS or BIS or both).
Program Retention Requirements:
- GPA 3.00
- Appropriate Professional Dispositions
- Acceptable rating on applicable key program assessments
Program Exit Requirements:
- ILTS Content Test (LBS II CAS or BIS or both)
- Acceptable rating on all key assessments
- Successful completion of all required electives
- Successful completion of the capstone experience project
This sample curricular map is provided to guide you in the planning of your progression for the LBS II-Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS) or LBS I Curriculum Adaptation Specialist (CAS) program. This recommended guide should not replace regular consultations with your program advisor. For specific recommendations of courses not identified, please consult your program advisor. NOTE: Term 1 = Fall, Term 2 = Spring, Term 3 = Summer.
Master of Science in Special Education - Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS) (30 hours):
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| SPED-522 | Foundations Practices In Challenging Behaviors | 3 |
| SPED-523 | Educational Assessment Planning For Positive Behavior Management | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| SPED-521 | Issues Interventions For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Communication Disorder | 3 |
| SPED-519 | Collaborative Relationships In Special Education | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Exam 156 | ||
| Term Hours | 9 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| SPED-524 | Practicum In Behavior Disorders | 3 |
| SPED-530 | Capstone Project | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours: | 30 | |
Master of Science in Special Education - Curriculum Adaptation Specialist (CAS) (30 hours):
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| SPED-526 | Adaptations Of Curriculum | 3 |
| SPED-527 | Language Based Disorders | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| SPED-525 | Alternative Assessment Test Accommodations | 3 |
| SPED-519 | Collaborative Relationships In Special Education | 3 |
| 1 Elective course | 3 | |
| Exam 158 | ||
| Term Hours | 9 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| SPED-529 | Curriculum Practicum | 3 |
| SPED-530 | Capstone Project | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours: | 30 | |
Master of Science in Special Education - Dual CAS and BIS Program (30 hours) -PLAN A (see Plan B after this chart)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| SPED-526 | Adaptations Of Curriculum | 3 |
| SPED-527 | Language Based Disorders | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| SPED-521 | Issues Interventions For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Communication Disorder | 3 |
| SPED-525 | Alternative Assessment Test Accommodations | 3 |
| Plus Exam 158 | ||
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| SPED-519 | Collaborative Relationships In Special Education | 3 |
| SPED-529 | Curriculum Practicum | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| SPED-522 | Foundations Practices In Challenging Behaviors | 3 |
| SPED-523 | Educational Assessment Planning For Positive Behavior Management | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| SPED-524 | Practicum In Behavior Disorders | 3 |
| SPED-530 | Capstone Project | 3 |
| Plus Exam 156 | ||
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours: | 30 | |
Master of Science in Special Education - Dual BIS and CAS Program (30 hours) PLAN B:
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| SPED-522 | Foundations Practices In Challenging Behaviors | 3 |
| SPED-523 | Educational Assessment Planning For Positive Behavior Management | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| SPED-521 | Issues Interventions For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Communication Disorder | 3 |
| SPED-525 | Alternative Assessment Test Accommodations | 3 |
| Plus Exam 156 | ||
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| SPED-519 | Collaborative Relationships In Special Education | 3 |
| SPED-524 | Practicum In Behavior Disorders | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| SPED-526 | Adaptations Of Curriculum | 3 |
| SPED-527 | Language Based Disorders | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| SPED-529 | Curriculum Practicum | 3 |
| SPED-530 | Capstone Project | 3 |
| Plus Exam 158 | ||
| Portfolio | ||
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours: | 30 | |
Endorsement Only: Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| SPED-522 | Foundations Practices In Challenging Behaviors | 3 |
| SPED-523 | Educational Assessment Planning For Positive Behavior Management | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| SPED-521 | Issues Interventions For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Communication Disorder | 3 |
| SPED-519 | Collaborative Relationships In Special Education | 3 |
| Exam 156 | ||
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| SPED-524 | Practicum In Behavior Disorders | 3 |
| Term Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours: | 15 | |
Endorsement Only: Curriculum Adaptation Specialist (CAS)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| SPED-526 | Adaptations Of Curriculum | 3 |
| SPED-527 | Language Based Disorders | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| SPED-525 | Alternative Assessment Test Accommodations | 3 |
| SPED-519 | Collaborative Relationships In Special Education | 3 |
| Exam 158 | ||
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| SPED-529 | Curriculum Practicum | 3 |
| Term Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours: | 15 | |