The Master of Education in Exceptional Student Education Program (M.Ed. ESE) is a 33 credit-hour, evidence-based online graduate program designed to prepare in-service teachers to serve students with disabilities in the Pre-K through 12 setting.
The M.Ed. ESE program is considered a Graduate Program for Already Licensed Teachers under the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) transitioning into Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) level for Advanced Programs in the B-CU College of Education. The M.Ed. ESE program is a non-certifying degree and candidates are required to provide documentation of professional state teaching licensure prior to admission. Individuals with temporary certification or in an alternative teaching program must complete all state requirements for a professional state teaching licensure prior to applying for the M.Ed. ESE program.
The specialization tracks in this program reflect the State of Florida’s endorsement courses in Pre-K Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Graduate students applying for state endorsement in their selected area of specialization submit transcripts and required fees and documentation for review by certification departments to the Florida Department of Education upon completion of the specialization courses. Candidates who live outside of the State of Florida are required to provide documentation verifying reciprocity with their individual state prior to enrollment in the M.Ed. ESE program.
Non-Degree Seeking Students
A non-degree seeking student is a student who desires to enroll in classes at Bethune-Cookman University and does not intend to earn a degree from Bethune-Cookman University. Already Licensed Teachers who are interested in taking the specialization courses in either Pre-K Disabilities or ASD and applying for an endorsement with the state may enroll as a non-degree seeking student. The admissions process is the same for non-degree seeking students as degree seeking students. Applicants must indicate that they are “non-degree seeking” and declare their specialization track during the admissions process. Additional information about non-degree seeking students in located in the Graduate Catalog.
Degree Seeking Students
The M.Ed. ESE program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours. Courses are offered in the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. The core courses total 21 of the 33 credit hours with the remaining hours taken in potential endorsement courses in either Pre-K Disabilities or ASD. Core courses and specialization courses may be taken in the same semester. M.Ed. ESE graduate students will be required to pass a Master’s comprehensive exam before graduation and are not required to complete a thesis.
M.Ed. ESE graduate students will enroll in nine credit hours for three semesters and six credit hours for one semester, completing a total of 11 courses (33 credit hours) within four semesters. Graduate students who select either Pre-K Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorders will take seven core courses (21 credit hours) and four specialty courses (12 credit hours) in a potential endorsement area.
Endorsement courses will total 12 credit hours.
A Master’s degree in teaching enables the graduate student to deepen their pre-existing knowledge of teaching and learning. Below are the required and preferred requirements:
1) Required: A bachelor’s degree in any area coupled with a state teaching certificate or documentation demonstrating successful completion of a state approved alternative teaching program.
2) Preferred: A bachelor’s degree in education from an NCATE (transitioning into CAEP) accredited program coupled with a State teaching certificate.
The need for fully credentialed teachers in Exceptional Student Education is critical; therefore, the following requirements will be in place:
3) A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a four-point scale and a preferred GPA of 3.5. Graduate students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 on a four-point scale each semester to remain in the program. If students drop below a 3.0, they have one probation semester to raise the GPA.
4) GRE section scores in the upper 50% for each section. Students with lower scores may be admitted conditionally and shifted to full admission after the successful completion of the first semester of graduate courses.
Program of Study
Core Courses for Master of Education in Exceptional Student Education M.Ed. ESE All core courses are three (3) credit hours = 21 total credit hours.
ESE 500: Fundamentals of Graduate Research in Education
ESE 501: Collaborating with Communities
ESE 502: Assessment and Evaluation of ESE Pre-K-12
ESE 510: Adaptation and Accommodation of ESE Pre-K-6
ESE 511: Adaptation and Accommodation of ESE 6-12
ESE 513: Spoken and Written Language for ESE
ESE 514: Positive Behavior Support Systems
Specialization courses in Pre-Kindergarten Disabilities All courses in the area of Pre-K Disabilities are three (3) credit hours = 12 total credit hours.
ESE 533: Typical and Atypical Development of Young Child
ESE 550: Collaborations with Communities Pre-K ESE
ESE 600: Instructional Methods and Assessment of Pre-K ESE
ESE 601: Curriculum Program Design of Pre-K
ESE Specialization courses in Autism Spectrum Disorders All courses in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorders are three (3) credit hours = 12 total credit hours.
ESE 525: Nature of ASD Theory and Practice
ESE 529: Assistive and Instructional Technology in ASD
ESE 530: Positive Behavior Supports of ASD
ESE 531: Assessment and Diagnosis of ASD
M.Ed. ESE courses and specialization tracks do not require prerequisites. Students may enter the program at the beginning of Spring, Summer of Fall semester. Programs of study are based on the semester a graduate student begins the program. The sample curriculum outlines courses for a Spring start date:
Spring 2016
ESE 511: Adaptation and Accommodation of ESE 6-12*
ESE 513: Spoken and Written Language for ESE*
ESE 601: Curriculum Program Design of Pre-K ESE
OR
ESE 531: Assessment and Diagnosis of ASD
Total Credit Hours =9
Summer 2016
ESE 514: Positive Behavior Support Systems*
ESE 533: Typical and Atypical Development of Young Child
OR
ESE 529: Assistive and Instructional Technology in ASD
Total Credit Hours =6
Fall 2016
ESE 500: Fundamentals of Graduate Research in Education*
ESE 501: Collaborating with Communities*
ESE 600: Instructional Methods and Assessment of Pre-K ESE )
OR
ESE 525: Nature of ASD Theory and Practice
Total Credit Hours =9
Spring 2017
ESE 502: Assessment and Evaluation of ESE Pre-K-12*
ESE 510: Adaptation and Accommodation of ESE Pre-K-6 *
ESE 550: Collaborations with Communities Pre-K ESE
OR
ESE 530: Positive Behavior Supports of ASD
Total Credit Hours =9
Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLO)
The M.Ed. ESE PSLOs are rigorous and focus on the quality of graduate students by addressing essential skills and competencies required to work with students with disabilities and their families in a global digital community. In addition, graduates will acquire knowledge, skills and competencies outlined in the Institutional Student Learning Outcome (ISLOs), School Student Learning Outcomes (SSLOs) and Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs). The Student Learning Outcomes fully support the University Mission and Core Values as stated in the Strategic Plan as well as the School of Graduate Studies Goals.
The four PLSOs are described below and measure the intermediate objectives:
PSLO 1 (Dispositions)
Graduate students who desire to earn the M.Ed. ESE degree offered at Bethune-Cookman University will have demonstrated mastery of the essential skills, knowledge and dispositions consistent with the School of Education’s Conceptual Framework as measured by a minimum 90% dispositions rubric rating score completed by B-CU M.Ed. ESE faculty and online ESE classroom teacher mentors.
PSLO 2 (Technology Integration)
Graduate students who desire to earn the M.Ed. ESE degree offered at Bethune-Cookman University will have demonstrated mastery of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards by the successful completion of specialization coursework in Pre-K disabilities or ASD as measured by a minimum 90% rubric rating on ISTE standards in a professional electronic portfolio.
PSLO 3 (Pedagogy)
Graduate students who desire to earn the M.Ed. ESE degree offered at Bethune-Cookman University will have demonstrated mastery of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAP) as measured by a minimum 90% FEAP rubric rating on an electronic portfolio and a comprehensive exam.
PSLO 4 (Subject Area Competencies and Skills)
Graduate students who desire to earn the M.Ed. ESE degree offered at Bethune-Cookman University will have demonstrated mastery of Florida ESE competencies and skills as measured by a minimum 90% rubric rating on an electronic portfolio and a comprehensive exam. Graduates from the M.Ed. ESE program will have the potential to pursue a variety of career paths upon completion of the program. Graduates choosing either the Pre-K Disability or Autism Spectrum Disorders path will have the credentials to teach in a variety of settings. They will be qualified to teach in the public school system as well as private non-profit disability organizations such as Easter Seals or The United Cerebral Palsy Foundation. Aside from teaching, graduates would have the credentials to pursue careers at the leadership level both in Florida and across the nation. For example, graduates may pursue opportunities in the Office of Special Education within their local school districts and regions. Also, most grant funded projects require a Master’s degree in order to serve as project director. Examples of leadership opportunities within discretionary grants in Central Florida include The Florida Inclusion Network, Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System Associate Centers (FDLRS), and Technical Assistance and Training System for Programs Serving Young Children with Disabilities (TATS).
Return to: