Master of Arts in Education and Human Development in the Field of Special Education

The special education program is committed to preparing knowledgeable, effective, and ethical K-12 license-eligible special educators to teach and serve diverse students with disabilities and their families. Our program is grounded in the philosophical position that teaching is an act of transformative social justice, operationalized and actualized through the practice of personalized teaching and learning. This unique approach to educator preparation centers on individual strengths, cultural identities, and the assets inherent in every student and teacher as the cornerstones of meaningful learning and transformative teaching.

The program balances rigorous training in evidence-supported educational practices with robust two-semester clinical supervision experiences and consistent opportunities for self-reflection and awareness of self as teachers. By way of a cohesive synchronous cohort experience, program graduates develop the knowledge and skills to deeply understand their students, themselves, curriculum, assessment, colleagues, and communities. The program leads to a Master of Arts in Education and Human Development and eligibility for District of Columbia special education teaching licensure for students in grades K-6 or 7-12.

Visit the program website for additional information.

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 36 credits in required courses, successful completion of the master of arts in education and human development comprehensive examination, and completion of the relevant teacher licensure assessments (see below). 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
SPED 6200	Foundations of Reading Instruction
SPED 6201	Overview of Legal Issues in Educating Students with Disabilities
SPED 6202	Researching Current Trends in Special Education
SPED 6203	Research and Practice of Diagnostic Reading for Students with Disabilities
SPED 6204	Analysis of Personalized Teaching for Professionals Working with Students with Disabilities
SPED 6210	Universal Design for Learning and Assessment
SPED 6233	Culturally Responsive Curriculum in Special Education
SPED 6260	Developmental Assessment in Special Education
SPED 6288	Understanding the Characteristics and Needs of Students with Disabilities
SPED 6290	Affective Development and Behavior Management for Teaching Students with Disabilities
SPED 6990	Practicum in Teaching Students with Disabilities
SPED 6991	Internship in Teaching Students with Disabilities
Additional requirements
Successful completion of the comprehensive examination.
Completion of the relevant teacher licensure assessments (i.e., PRAXIS) required by the District of Columbia Educator Licensure Services Office