Students in the graduate special education program at McDaniel College may elect to complete one of two programs: master's degree + initial certification in special education OR a master's only track.

Students pursuing a master's degree + initial certification in special education complete four sequences of coursework:

• I. Foundation Sequence
• PSY 502: Human Growth and Development-Child
• PSY 503: Human Growth and Development-Adolescent
• EDU 550: Introduction to Research Methodology
• SED 500: Introduction to Special Education
• SED 501: Instructional Models and Learning Theories for Exceptional Students
• II. Special Education Sequence
• SED 502: Teaching Strategies for Exceptional Students (Focus Grades 1-8) [elementary certification only]
• SED 511: Teaching Strategies for Exceptional Students (Focus Grades 6-12) [secondary certification only]
• SED 503: Diagnostic-Prescriptive Assessment
• SED 504: Classroom Management of Exceptional Students
• SED 520: Parent Conferencing Skills
• III. Certification Sequence
• CUR 509: Assessment of Student Learning
• CUR 512: Curriculum Analysis and Planning OR EDU 581: Linking Instruction and Assessment [required for students without general education certification]
• EDU 559: Diagnostic Math Techniques OR EDU 566: Special Topics in Education [required for students without general education certification]
• RDG 521: Reading Processes and Acquisitions [elementary certification only]
• RDG 522: Balanced Literacy Instruction [elementary certification only]
• RDG 523: Assessment for Reading Instruction [elementary certification only]
• RDG 524: Materials for Balanced Reading Instruction [elementary certification only]
• RDG 532: Reading in the Content Areas, Part I [secondary certification only]
• RDG 534: Reading in the Content Areas, Part II [secondary certification only]
• IV. Fieldwork and Capstone Sequence (Students must be finished all coursework in Sequences I-III before entering fieldwork and capstone)
• SED 552: Practicum in Special Education
• SED 553: Internship in Special Education
• SED 550: Portfolio in Special Education

• Students in the master's only track complete the Foundation and Special Education sequences. In addition, master's track students may take elective courses to satisfy degree requirements and professional interests. Master's track students may elect to complete a portfolio or master's thesis for their capstone experiences.

  For a listing of all SED classes please see the McDaniel College Graduate Catalog.