2007-09 - Graduate School - The University of Alabama

Graduate Catalog: Section 10.9http://graduate.ua.edu/catalog/22900.htmlDegree requirements. Degree requirements are outlined in an earlier section of this catalog.Financial aid. Graduate assistantships, student stipends, and fellowships in special education are available in limitednumbers. Interested students must complete the financial assistance form, and/or the application for graduateteaching or research assistant form, available from the program office. These forms must be returned to the programchairperson, who will forward them to the area head.M.A. program admission. In addition to meeting the Graduate School 's admission requirements, studentsinterested in the special education programs should be aware of the state certification program admissionrequirements listed in the chart above.Nontraditional, alternative initial teacher certification program. The program in special education offersteacher-education programs that lead to Alabama Class A certification in collaborative teacher (K–6) (specialeducation), or collaborative teacher (6–12) (special education), gifted, and the Multiple Abilities Program (MAP) butdo not require Class B certification in any teaching field. These programs are designed to allow individuals withundergraduate degrees in nonteaching fields to enter the field of education. Admission requirements fornontraditional, alternative teacher certification programs are as follows:1. Admission to the Graduate School, requiring a score of 1000 on the GRE general test or a score at the 50thpercentile on the MAT, and a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours completed; or,conditional admission to the Graduate School, requiring a score of 900 on the GRE (general test) or a score atthe 40th percentile on the MAT, a grade point average of 3.00 overall, and an average of "B" or better for thefirst 12 graduate hours attempted2. A baccalaureate degree, including 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of general studies courses in humanities,social science, laboratory science, and mathematics (at or above the level of college algebra)Admission to a nontraditional, alternative certification program in special education requires full admission to theGraduate School and the completion of specified undergraduate prerequisite courses. The M.A. degree is awardedwhen program requirements are completed.Ed.S. program admission. In addition to meeting the Graduate School 's admission requirements, a studentinterested in the Ed.S. program must have earned an M.A. or equivalent degree in special education (with theexception of students applying for study in gifted.Ed.D. and Ph.D. program admission. Prerequisites for admission to doctoral work in special education are anearned M.A. degree in special education (or a related area) and three years of appropriate experience, defined asthree years of work in agencies serving children and youth, one year of which must have been spent in directinteraction with exceptional children on a full-time basis. Graduate faculty members individually evaluate andcollectively discuss admission applications. When feasible, applicants are encouraged to visit the campus for aninterview as part of the evaluation process.Course DescriptionsSPE 500 Introduction to Exceptional Children and Youth. Three hours.Introduction to programs and problems of children and youth who deviate from the norm in physical, mental,emotional, and social characteristics.SPE 501 Diagnosis and Assessment of Exceptional Children and Youth. Three hours.Comprehensive study of diagnosis and assessment, emphasizing concepts of tests and measurements, formal andinformal assessment, test administration, and use of diagnostic results in educational intervention.SPE 502 Advanced Behavior Management for Special Educators. Three hours.Prerequisite: SPE 435 or equivalent.