Assessment, K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education (Master of Applied Science, M.A.S.)
Dr. Kipton Smilie, Program Director
ksmilie@missouriwestern.edu
(816) 271-5952
missouriwestern.edu/education/cross-cat-sped/
The K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education option is designed to meet the needs of the following professionals:
- Current and future educators, from both general education and special education, who want to learn techniques to more effectively support learners who experience mild/moderate disability in diverse, inclusive, K-12 classrooms
- Speech/language pathologists and other related service providers, who desire additional information to assist them to more effectively serve learners who experience mild/moderate disability
- School administrators, who are interested in improving special education services in their school or district
- Current or future educational policy makers, who wish to enhance their understanding of the unique needs of learners who experience mild/moderate disability and the most up-to-date research in the field of special education.
Successful completion of the K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education master's degree will prepare graduates for the special education content assessment from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The need for effective educators knowledgeable of strategies for teaching learners who experience mild/moderate disability becomes more critical every year. Severe shortages of qualified special education teachers continue to persist-locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally. In addition to learning how to advocate for effective and responsive education for learners who experience mild/moderate disability, graduate students should gain the following from coursework in the K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education program:
- A deep understanding of fundamental issues associated with teaching learners who experience a broad range of mild/moderate disabilities
- Specific skills associated with assessment and eligibility determination for learners who experience mild/moderate disabilities
- Knowledge of differentiated instructional methods needed to successfully teach learners who experience mild/moderate disabilities
- Opportunities to learn the effective implementation of behavioral interventions with learners who experience mild/moderate disabilities
- Knowledge of considerations for the selection and effective implementation of assistive technologies and augmentative communication strategies
- Focused methods for preparing learners and their families for transition from secondary education to a successful career
- Opportunities to learn a variety of strategies for effectively collaborating with families and members of inter-professional teams in education
- Enhanced general knowledge of diverse, inclusive classroom settings
- Training in analytical and critical thinking methods
- Support for an internship experience, which requires the application of content information gained from participation in the M.A.S. program.
What are the unique benefits of the K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education program option at Missouri Western State University?
- All required courses are available online; this flexibility allows courses to be completed from anywhere in the world.
- The master's degree in K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education includes a professional core sequence, which focuses on critical reading of education literature and analyzing research in education.
- Strong foundation in current research in the field of K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the graduate program in K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education requires meeting all qualifications for acceptance to the Missouri Western State University Graduate School.
- Submission of application for admission to the MWSU Graduate School.
- Completion of an undergraduate degree in education, or a closely related discipline, from an accredited undergraduate institution.
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75.
- Statement of Purpose: A one-page narrative, which describes his/her purpose for seeking admission to a graduate program, as well as what he/she hopes to gain from the experience.
- The GRE is not required.
Students who are accepted to this degree program will have no more than 6 years from admission or subsequent declaration to meet the requirements listed below. If certification, accreditation or statutory requirements change and additional requirements become effective during this time, the new requirements take precedence.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Core 1 | ||
| EDU 611 | Research Development and Literature Analysis | 3 |
| EDU 678 | Master Educator Experience I | 3 |
| EDU 679 | Master Education Experience II | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| EDU 571 | Fundamentals of Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| EDU 572 | Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication in Inclusive Settings | 3 |
| EDU 573 | Preparing Students and Families for Transitions and Careers | 3 |
| EDU 574 | Collaborating with Families and School Personnel for Inclusion | 3 |
| EDU 675 | Assessment and the Identification Process | 3 |
| EDU 676 | Behavioral Management & Interventions | 3 |
| EDU 677 | Advanced Methods, Differentiation, and Instruction | 3 |
| Approved graduate-level elective course(s) | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
| 1 | In addition to the courses listed, students will be required to take EDU 500 Education Orientation Workshop. |
Program Graduation Requirements
- Earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, with no more than 6 credit hours of C in all required coursework.
- Official approval of required Master Educator Experience.
University Graduation Requirements
- Satisfactorily complete all required coursework in the program;
- Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours;
- Satisfactorily complete the required capstone experience.