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Special Education
The world needs educators and administrators of special education programs who can successfully implement the six pillars of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA). This Special Education specialization will prepare you to face the challenging legal issues confronting current administrators of special education programs. You will explore essential topics related to special education, including student placement, service delivery requirements, discipline, appropriate educational decisions, family rights and privacy issues. You will also learn how to prepare for due process hearings and manifestation determination meetings. As a graduate, you will be prepared to utilize your knowledge and skills in pursuit of various careers, such as a school district administrator of special education programs. This specialization can also prepare you to pursue doctoral studies in Special Education at NCU.
General Degree Requirements
The EdS Program may be completed in 33 credits. An Academic Advisor or Enrollment Specialist evaluates each student individually and works with the student to create an academically sound Learning Plan based on prior academics and their professional goals.
Completion Period for Doctoral Degrees
Northcentral University allows 5 years to complete the EdS degree.
Certification and Licensing
The School of Education serves educational leaders by providing online graduate studies in education to reach worldwide populations. The EdS program is designed to reach national and international markets and does not purport to provide licensure or certification in any particular state or country.
Education Specialist (EdS) Degree Requirements
Individuals with a previously completed master’s degree will meet the basis of admission to the Education Specialist Program. The programs includes foundations, scholarly writing and specialization courses, as well as a final capstone. Students must pass all courses with a Grade Point Average of 3.00 (B) or higher.
Course Length
All courses are 8 weeks in length.
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
EDU7002-8 | Educational Research Methodology | The purpose of this course is to enable students to gain a holistic understanding of the research process and examine the most common research designs used in educational research. In this course, students are prepared to make thoughtful and wise choices about their dissertation research project or capstone project through the exploration of different research design options. |
Specialization Course 1 | ||
EDU7003-8 | Statistics I | This course provides an introductory exploration of statistics for the graduate student. It includes instruction on the calculation, use, and interpretation of descriptive statistics, and introduces inferential statistical analysis. The emphasis of this course is on providing a working knowledge of basic statistical concepts to help the student understand statistical methodology as used in education, and also more generally, developing a working knowledge of statistical usage in everyday life. |
Specialization Course 2 | ||
Specialization Course 3 | ||
Specialization Course 4 | ||
Specialization Course 5 | ||
Specialization Course 6 |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
EDU7101-8 | Foundations for Graduate Study in Education (This course will be taken as the first course) | This course is an orientation to Northcentral University and to the essential skills needed to pursue a doctoral degree in Education. Doctoral level skills, such as academic integrity, time management, effective use of the Northcentral Library, comprehending complex scholarly texts and research articles, and APA form and style in professional communication are also introduced. Students will complete the course with a better understanding of personal goals, strengths, and challenges, and a roadmap to navigate their way to completion of their educational aspirations. |
EDU7001-8 | Advanced Scholarly Writing | The purpose of this course is to build advanced skills identifying and obtaining high quality sources through online library searches. In addition, the course addresses advanced writing and APA formatting skills, and it prepares students to be critically reflective consumers of research reports. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
SE7000-8 | Introduction to the Exceptional Student | The basic tenets of exceptional students' education are introduced in this course with research and best practices for the student in all disability groups. Students are encouraged to delve into specific disability areas and research best practices and studies for further knowledge of the history, laws, accommodations and placement options for exceptional students. Co-teaching, national standards (CEC and INTASC) as well as IDEA regulations are explored for a broader-based learning experience. |
SE7001-8 | Assessment in Special Education | This in depth assessment course provides the student with research based information to extend the study of assessment of exceptional students. This doctoral level course provides up to date information about testing, assessment, using technology and ethical considerations. Informal, formal, ability and achievement assessment information are also key components of this course. |
SSE7002-8 | Learning Disabled Student | This course follows an in-depth research approach to RTI (Response to Intervention) with special emphasis on learning disabled students. Students will explore the No Child Left Behind and IDEA regulations and legislation as they pertain to classroom interventions and programming for the high incidence LD category. Identification, eligibility and teacher best practices are embedded in the course work with research opportunities within the framework of learning disabled students academic success. |
SE7003-8 | Emotionally Disabled Student | Linking theory to practice this course provides the graduate student the information and research needed to study the emotionally disabled student in depth in educational settings. Research and case studies along with practical and applied information are introduced to integrate theoretical models in research and design to provide characteristics and linking theory to practice. |
SE7004-8 | Developing Curriculum for the Mentally Disabled | Practical research based information in this Doctoral level course is the key to understanding the strategies for the effective practitioner or supervisor of special needs students. Emphasis is placed on practical, everyday knowledge needed for students and their families. Imbedded in the course are theoretical and research based applications and communication strategies for parental involvement. |
SE7005-8 | Law in Special Education | The necessary information is gathered in this course to make today's practitioner an advocate and knowledgeable researcher in the field of special education law. Students are provided a framework for intensive study within the legal world of disabilities, IDEA, No Child Left Behind, placement and referral issues. History of the special education law is also studied with applications for multiple settings and disabilities. |
SE7006-8 | Teaching Strategies in Special Education | Relevant scholarship and research based information combine to provide the student with information and about teaching strategies, supervision of students with learning disabilities and behavior disorders. The course also ties in the latest information for RTI, IDEA and NCLB. Using practical application and theoretical framework the student can apply needed strategies for promoting success in the classroom. |
SE7007-8 | Managing the Exceptional Student | A comprehensive course with research applications to behavior management for special needs students. Students will be encouraged to research and explore best practices for behavior plans, FBAs and individual student management programs. In addition, social adjustment, legal issues and teacher performance ethical issues are correlated with research based best practices to further thought and program development within the educational setting. |
SE7008-8 | Language Disabilities | This Doctoral level course provides students with a basic understanding of the nature of speech and language, developmental progression in language acquisition, and techniques for evaluating language development and remediation of language and communication disorders within a classroom setting. |
SE7009-8 | Transitioning the Exceptional Student | Including the standards based reforms of recent educational mandates this course encompassed practical applications for the practitioner for transition of disabled students, Course work is designed for elementary middle and high school teachers and adult center work place associates who want to further their study of transition and developing transition plans that are applicable to today's workforce. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
ED7053-8 | Education Specialist Capstone Project | ED7053 is the culmination of the EdS program. In this course students will have the opportunity to demonstrate the synthesis of knowledge in the Education Specialist program through the design of a real-world problem solving project. The project should be based on research and/ or fieldwork and must demonstrate an approach to addressing the problem through application of theory. Additionally, within this course students will complete a reflective self-assessment of their learning throughout the program. |
At Northcentral University, we pride ourselves in being completely transparent when it comes to tuition and fees. We have adopted an all-inclusive tuition model that gives you the cost of your Education Specialist (EdS) tuition and fees in one flat program rate*. The only additional cost above your EdS program rate is books. Learn more about the EdS costs below:
- Per credit cost: $820
- Per 3 credit course cost: $2,461
- Program cost: $27,071
- Average book cost per course: $150
- Application Fee: $0
- Technology Fee: $0
- Registration Fee: $0
Click here to learn more about payment and financing options.
*Program rates are subject to change and generally increase at the start of each calendar year.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about our students, it’s that they are motivated and ambitious—but they are also busy! At Northcentral University, we’ve designed our education experience to work with you, not against you, so you can achieve your academic goals without sacrificing the quality, flexibility and support you need to be successful.
- Regionally Accredited
- No Physical Residency Requirements
- One-to-One Teaching
- 100% Doctoral Faculty
- Flexibility of Online Learning
- University Resources
To learn more, request information or call 1-866-776-0331 or start a live chat to speak with an enrollment advisor today. We offer new courses every Monday of the year so you can get started when it’s best for you.
