Master of Science in Adaptive Special Education The Department of Special Education offers teacher preparation programs to provide equitable and appropriate education for exceptional children and youth.

This is a teacher preparation program leading to a Master of Science Degree with a major in Special Education and endorsements available in Adaptive Special Education or in Gifted Education.

Prerequisite Requirements: An undergraduate degree and teacher certification are required for acceptance in the graduate program. A course in exceptional students is a prerequisite for all of the Master's Programs in Special Education.

Core Content Courses: Hours

• SPED 800 Research 3
• SPED 801 Legal/Professional Issues in Special Education 2
• SPED 802 Theories of Exceptionalities 4
• SPED 803 Consultation in Special Education 3
• SPED 804 Behavior Management in Schools 3
• SPED 805 Assessment 2
• SPED 805L Assessment Lab: Aptitude and Intelligence 1
• SPED 805L Assessment Lab: Achievement 1
• SPED 806 Material and Methods for Exceptional Students 3
• SPED 880 Cultural Diversity 3
• SPED 810 Technology in Special Education 3
• SPED 811 Characteristics of Early Childhood Special Education 3
• SPED 861 Vocational/Transition Education 2

Required Emphasis Area Courses Behavior Disorders Hours

• SPED 822 Educational Strategies for BD 2
• SPED 867 Practicum in Special Education: Adaptive 2

or

Required Emphasis Area Courses Learning Disabilities Hours

• SPED 832 Educational Strategies for LD 2
• SPED 867 Practicum in Special Education I: Adaptive 2

or

Required Emphasis Area Courses Mental Retardation Hours

• SPED 842 Educational Strategies for MR 2
• SPED 867 Practicum in Special Education I: Adaptive 2

or

Required Emphasis Area Courses: Gifted Education Hours

• SPED 852 Educational Strategies for Gifted 2
• SPED 858 Practicum in Special Education I: Gifted 2

Total

• Core Content Courses 33
• Required Specific Educational Strategies and Practicum 4

Total...................................................................... 37

Applying to Graduate School. The first order of business is to apply to the Graduate School at Fort Hays State University. Log on to the Graduate School at http://www.fhsu.edu/gradschl. The application can be accessed online by following the instructions listed in the Forms and Applications Quick Link. Scroll down to the "Application Instructions" and thoroughly read before continuing the application.

Purpose of Graduate School. The Graduate School is the central agency for organizing and supervising the graduate instructional programs of the university and for developing them toward their highest level of excellence. It is also the central agency for facilitating, encouraging, and coordinating the research effort of the university and for developing that effort toward the highest level of excellence. The school has a primary concern with meshing graduate instruction and research into mutually supporting programs and also with integrating both into the total effort of the university.

NOTE: The Special Education Department does not require an entrance examination. Please complete all of the components for application to the Graduate School. Unless you have already completed a master degree, you will be requesting a degree-seeking application.