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Graduate Catalog | 2019-2020 Previous Edition
Special Education, M.Ed.
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The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education is a professional graduate degree that serves experienced teachers and educational professionals who have obtained an undergraduate degree and who wish to become collaborative instructional leaders who are knowledgeable, effective, reflective, and responsive to equity and diversity. Upon completion of the 33 credit hour program, graduates who hold an initial license qualify for the North Carolina Standard Professional 2 (SP2) Professional Educator’s License.
There are three concentrations for the M.Ed. in Special Education: (1) Academically or Intellectually Gifted, (2) Child and Family Studies, and (3) Special Education. For the Concentration in Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG), a bachelor’s degree and a Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License in any content area from North Carolina or its equivalent from another state are required. For the Concentration in Child and Family Studies, a bachelor’s degree in child and family development, elementary education, special education, or related field is required. For the Concentration in Special Education, a bachelor’s degree with a major in Special Education and a Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License in Special Education from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (or its equivalent from another state) are required.
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Concentration in Academically or Intellectually Gifted
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree and a Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License in any content area from North Carolina or its equivalent from another state
- Official transcripts of all previous work beyond high school documenting an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale)
- Official agency reports of satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) test scores (30th percentile or above)
- Test Score Requirement Waiver: Applicants who previously have received a grade of A in three (if the fourth course is in progress at the time of application) or all four of the four Graduate Certificate courses in Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) at UNC Charlotte may waive the GRE/MAT score requirement.Note: Waiver requests should be sent to the AIG Graduate Program Director.
- Students who have received one or more course grades below A in UNC Charlotte graduate certificate courses in AIG, or who are applying directly to the M.Ed., are not eligible for this waiver and must provide GRE or MAT scores with their application.
- At least three evaluations from professional educators familiar with the applicant’s personal and professional qualifications
- An essay of up to two pages, describing the applicant’s experience and objective in undertaking graduate study in AIG
- Apply online at gradadmissions.uncc.edu
Introductory Research Course (3 credit hours)
Phase I Courses: Developing Perspective (15 credit hours)
Phase II Courses: Content and Pedagogy (15 credit hours)
Degree Total = 33 Credit Hours
Concentration in Child and Family Studies
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree in child and family development, elementary education, special education, or a related field from an accredited institution
- Official transcripts of all previous work beyond high school documenting an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale)
- Evidence of satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) test scores (30th percentile or above)
- A personal statement outlining why the applicant seeks admission to the program and describing professional experiences with young children and their families
- Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s personal or professional qualifications
- Apply online at gradadmissions.uncc.edu
Introductory Research Course (3 credit hours)
Core Courses (15 credit hours)
Applied Research/Evaluation Course (3 credit hours)
Thematic Elective Courses (9 credit hours)
Select elective courses within a single specialty track or other graduate level courses offered by the Cato College of Education, as developed with advisor approval.
Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Specialty Track
Leadership Seminar Course (3 credit hours)
Degree Total = 33 Credit Hours
Concentration in Special Education
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree with a major in special education and a Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License in Special Education from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (or its equivalent from another state)
- Official transcripts of all previous work beyond high school documenting an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale)
- Official agency reports of satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) test scores (30th percentile or above)
- At least three evaluations from professional educators familiar with the applicant’s personal and professional qualifications
- An essay of one to two pages describing the applicant’s experience and objective in undertaking graduate study in special education
- Apply online at gradadmissions.uncc.edu
Introductory Research Course (3 credit hours)
Core Courses (9 credit hours)
Research Courses (9 credit hours)
Specialty Track Courses (12 credit hours)
Select elective courses within a single specialty track or other graduate level courses offered by the Cato College of Education, as developed with advisor approval. These credit hours enable candidates to add on an additional North Carolina teaching license in Adapted Curriculum, General Curriculum, or Exceptional Children Program Administrator, or candidates may select an individualized set of courses for their specialty area requirements with approval by their advisor.
Adapted Curriculum (Add-On License) Specialty Track
Autism Spectrum Disorders (Graduate Certificate) Specialty Track
Exceptional Children Program Administrator (Add-On License) Specialty Track
General Curriculum (Add-On License) Specialty Track
Degree Total = 33 Credit Hours
Advising
Upon acceptance into the program, each candidate is assigned a faculty advisor who helps the candidate develop his or her program of study and must approve that program of study. Candidates are expected to meet with their advisor each semester to discuss their coursework. For the Child and Family Studies concentration, each candidate must also assemble a graduate committee for consultation and evaluation. Members of the committee include the candidate’s faculty advisor and at least two other faculty members who represent major areas of concentration in the candidate’s program.
Capstone Experience
The capstone experience is fulfilled by completing a Master’s Research Project or Master’s Thesis. The nature of the project/thesis is developed by the candidate in consultation with the faculty advisor and presented to the committee for approval. The project is usually something that is practical and useful to the candidate in the professional role that will be assumed upon the completion of the degree.
Committee
Each candidate will have a committee of at least two graduate faculty members who will provide guidance through their research project or thesis. Candidates should consult with their academic program advisor in the selection of the committee. For the Child and Family Studies concentration, the following guidelines are intended to assist candidates and advisor in constituting the master’s thesis committee.
- Chair - selected for content knowledge of the subject area that is chosen for the culminating experience. This person should be from the major department. In addition, the chair must hold a graduate faculty appointment in the department.
- Second and third members - selected for knowledge and expertise in the subject area (can be external to the department).
- Technical advisor - an optional committee member selected for technical support (e.g., specialized skills in program evaluation, technical writing, assessment, curriculum design, graphics, ethnography, and survey research methodology). This person may be, but need not be, from the department.
- Additional members - may be added if the committee chair agrees. These members may be from departments of the College other than the candidate’s department, and may be from other colleges in the University. Additional members may also be from outside the University with the prior written permission of the Dean of the Graduate School. (This whole process should start at the beginning of the semester prior to graduation. However, the candidate may begin any time after completing 18 credit hours.)
Clinical Field Experiences
Most courses require students to apply the knowledge learned in classes to community-based settings and/or public/private school classrooms.
Licensure
Successful completion leads to the North Carolina Standard Professional 2 (SP2) Professional Educator’s License in Academically or Intellectually Gifted, Birth-Kindergarten (B-K), or Special Education, as appropriate to the concentration.
Research Opportunities/Experiences
The Special Education and Child Development faculty continuously achieves regional, state, and national recognition in scholarship, teaching, and research. As a result, candidates may also have the opportunity to become involved in applied research endeavors. Each candidate will complete a research project or a research thesis.
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