Exceptional Student Education
Working with special needs students takes someone special. Someone who knows how to help them reach their full potential. Someone with heart. Someone with compassion. Someone with an edge.
That someone belongs in a program that provides the expertise that will directly guide their students and careers to success. When you get your M.S. in Exceptional Student Education at NSU, everyone wins.
As a Shark, you'll learn how to empower your students, empowering yourself in the process. You'll even get the option of concentrating on a specific disability category or a broader combination of courses.
Our graduates have built some of the most rewarding careers out there as special education teachers, school counselors, administrators, college professors and special needs service providers. Now it's your turn to be an advocate for those who need you most.
Coursework is offered entirely online.
Degree-Only Track
This program track is open to all, certified teachers and non-certified professionals. It prepares teachers and professionals to work in programs serving students with disabilities (K-12) who seek an MS in ESE or wish to add an ESE categorical endorsement to current certification. For non-certified professionals, it will enhance your knowledge, skills, and dispositions concentrating a disability specific area. You'll also have an opportunity to study a combination of courses that best meet your individual career objectives and needs. This option is a degree-only program, not resulting in certification.
- Completed admission application packet, including a $50 nonrefundable application fee made payable to Nova Southeastern University.
- Official transcript indicating conferral of a bachelor's degree by a regionally accredited institution (2.5 minimum cumulative grade-point average required).
- Official transcripts from all previously attended postsecondary institutions.
Non-certification, Customized Program Option
This program is intended to permit students to concentrate on a disability-specific area of study or to study a combination of courses that best meets individual career objectives and needs.
The customized MS in ESE requires completion of 36 credit hours. Courses may be selected from options that carry the prefix of ESE, CBD, or EP (see course listings provided). Students will collaborate with an ESE faculty member and an Academic Advisor to develop the customized program of study. The finalized program represents a contract between FCE&SCJ and the student; any changes or modifications to the program must be negotiated between the student and the ESE faculty member.
This customized program does not lead to certification; however, the completion of specific courses may meet individual state requirements for “add-on” endorsements and/or certification. Students are to refer to their respective State Departments of Education to determine specific certification/licensure and/or endorsement requirements.
REQUIRED COURSES
| Course Number | Course Title and Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CUR 0526 | Educational Research for Practitioners | 3 |
| CBD 0501 | Special Education Law | 3 |
| ESE 0630 | Educational and Psychological Assessment of Exceptional Students | 3 |
Customized (Selected) Courses: The remaining courses (minimum of 27 credits) are to be selected from the following categorical program options:
Note: Students may select from the full menu of courses available, including ESE courses offered as part of the certification programs. For the purposes of planning, disability specific courses are grouped by categorical area; additional ESE courses are listed following the categorical information. ESE courses above 0600 will require waiver of some prerequisites.
AUTISM
| Course Number | Course Title and Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EP 0650 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Nature of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| EP 0655 | Nature of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Intervention Methods, Strategies, and Application | 3 |
| EP 0660 | Behavioral Assessment and Intervention for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| EP 0665 | Language, Communication Development & Augmentative Communication in Autism Spectrum Disorders | 3 |
DEVELOPMENTAL/INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
| Course Number | Course Title and Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CBD 0510 | Characteristics and Needs of Students with Developmental Disabilities | 3 |
| CBD 0513 | Methods for Teaching Students with Developmental Disabilities | 3 |
EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS
| Course Number | Course Title and Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CBD 0512 | Characteristics and Needs of Students with Emotional Behavioral Disorders | 3 |
| CBD 0515 | Methods for Teaching Students with Emotional Behavioral Disorders | 3 |
| Course Number | Course Title and Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CBD 0511 | Characteristics and Needs of Students with Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| CBD 0514 | Methods for Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities | 3 |
PREKINDERGARTEN DISABILITIES
| Course Number | Course Title and Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EP 5265 | Nature and Needs of Young Children with Disabilities | 3 |
| EP 5270 | Assessing the Needs of Young Children with Disabilities | 3 |
| EP 5275 | Intervention Strategies and Classroom Behavior Management of Young Children with Disabilities | 3 |
| EP 5280 | Working with Families of Young Children with Disabilities and the Community | 3 |
ADDITIONAL EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION COURSE OPTIONS
| Course Number | Course Title and Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CBD 0503 | Classroom Management | 3 |
| CBD 0505 | Working with Families of Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| CBD 0516 | Teaching Mathematics to Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| CBD 0517 | Teaching Reading to Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| ESE 0600 | Survey of Exceptionalities of Children and Youth | 3 |
| ESE 0610 | Speech and Language Development and Disabilities | 3 |
| ESE 0620 | Behavior Management of Exceptional Students | 3 |
| ESE 0640 | Transition Skills and Services for Exceptional Students | 3 |
| ESE 0650 | Instructional Strategies for Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| ESE 0660 | Curriculum and Instructional Materials for Exceptional Students | 3 |
| ESE 0670 | Inclusive Education for Exceptional Students | 3 |
| ESE 0680 | Teaching Social and Personal Skills to Exceptional Students | 3 |
| ESE 0690 | Consultation and Collaboration in Exceptional Student Education | 3 |
| ESE 699 | Applied Professional Experience in Exceptional Student | 3 |
Additional Endorsement
Students who seek an additional endorsement (add-on certification) in a content cognate area of study (e.g., TESOL or Reading) should refer to their respective State Department of Education to determine certification requirements. FCE requirements for content areas of specialization are published and can be located in the catalog. For additional information, contact your ESE faculty and/or Academic Advisor.
TOTAL CREDITS: 36
Program Details
The applied professional experience is one of many practical applications included in the exceptional student education specialization. It is the final step in the completion of the program. Conducted in an appropriate educational setting, candidates will maintain reflective journals and create files of samples of their students’ work and the assessment instruments used to demonstrate achievement of the state professional and content standards. All applied professional experiences are accompanied by portfolios detailing the rationale, process, and evaluation of the project.
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