Special Education
- Master of Arts
- Master of Education
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Doctor of Education
Facilities for Graduate Work
The University has an array of facilities that offer outstanding opportunities for research and study. Students may work with individual faculty members, many of whom have obtained external funding for research, development, training, and model demonstration projects involving the Texas Education Agency and school districts throughout Texas. In addition, students may work cooperatively with faculty members affiliated with the Assistive and Instructional Technology Laboratory, the Office of Bilingual Education, and the Vaughn Gross Center for Reading and Language Arts. The Perry-Castañeda Library contains extensive holdings in special education and related fields. Students also have access through the University Libraries Web site to electronic databases, journals, and books related to special education. The College of Education’s Learning Technology Center provides access to a wide range of hardware and software useful for instructional development and for research. Practicum and internship opportunities are provided by a number of local schools, state facilities, and community agencies.
Areas of Study
The Department of Special Education offers graduate degrees in six areas of specialization: autism and developmental disabilities, early childhood special education, learning disabilities/behavioral disorders, multicultural special education, rehabilitation counseling, and special education administration. Graduate study prepares students for leadership roles in fields that serve children, youth, and adults with disabilities, and their families. Students may also complete coursework to fulfill requirements for a post-baccalaureate special education teaching certificate, for certification as a behavior analyst, or for certification in public school leadership. Although there is considerable overlap between degree and certification requirements, additional courses beyond the degree plan are usually necessary.
Master’s degree program. The master’s degree prepares students to provide special education or rehabilitation counseling services to individuals with disabilities and their families. Through coursework and field-based experiences, students acquire knowledge and skills in the areas of collaboration, instruction, professional standards of legal and ethical practice, and advocacy, and in the sociocultural, linguistic, economic, and technological contexts in which services are provided.
Doctoral degree program. The doctoral program prepares students to assume leadership positions in institutions of higher education and in local, state, and national agencies that provide services to individuals with disabilities and their families. The core areas of study focus on developing programs and services and/or conducting research that contributes to the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their families, advocacy, leadership roles as members of the profession, and standards of legal and ethical professional practice. Students also develop the foundation for ongoing professional development and an appreciation of the sociocultural, linguistic, economic, and technological contexts that shape the development and delivery of services.
Areas of Specialization
Autism and developmental disabilities provides opportunities for students to develop skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating educational interventions for people with autism and developmental disabilities.
Early childhood special education focuses on the development of early intervention programs for children from birth through six years of age, reflecting a family-centered philosophy and application of the most recent theoretical concepts in natural and inclusive settings.
Learning disabilities/behavioral disorders provides advanced coursework in learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, assessment, strategies for developing, implementing, and evaluating instructional and behavioral interventions, instructional design, and assistive technology. Students also participate in field-based experiences that help prepare them for instructional and/or leadership roles.
Multicultural special education focuses on critical issues, knowledge, and skills related to the complex relationships among culture, race and ethnicity, language, and disability. This specialization is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in the provision of culturally and linguistically responsive educational services for exceptional children and youth from diverse backgrounds.
Rehabilitation counseling is designed to prepare students to counsel youth and adults with disabilities who are experiencing difficulties related to personal and vocational adjustment.
Special education administration offers students advanced training appropriate to general and special education administrative positions, creating an interface between general education administration and special education. This specialization is available only to doctoral students.
Graduate Studies Committee
The following faculty members served on the Graduate Studies Committee in the spring semester 2006–2007.
- Diane Pedrotty Bryant
- Carolyn Denton
- Shernaz Bhathena García
- Sylvia Linan-Thompson
- Melissa L. Olive
- Mark O’Reilly
- Alba A. Ortiz
- Randall M. Parker
- Herbert J. Rieth
- James L. Schaller
- Karrie A. Shogren
- Audrey McCray Sorrells
- Keith D. Turner
- Sharon Vaughn
- Cheryl Y. Wilkinson
- James R. Yates
Degree Requirements
Master of Arts. The Master of Arts degree is offered in all concentrations except special education administration. The Master of Arts requires at least thirty-three semester hours of coursework, including six hours for researching and writing a thesis. The general requirements for the master’s degree set a minimum standard. Information about additional requirements is available from the graduate coordinator.
Master of Education. Two Master of Education degree plans are available in each concentration except special education administration. The Master of Education degree with report requires at least thirty-three semester hours of coursework, including three hours for preparing the report. The Master of Education degree without thesis or report requires at least thirty-six semester hours of coursework. The general requirements for the master’s degree set a minimum standard. Information about additional requirements is available from the graduate coordinator.
Doctor of Philosophy. Because the Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree, the program is structured to provide students with both academic and practical experience in conducting research in university and other research settings. Degree plans focus on students’ areas of specialization; research; interdisciplinary studies; and professional skills related to research, teaching, and service. The dissertation is expected to be theoretically based piece of original research that contributes to knowledge in special education or rehabilitation counseling. In addition to coursework, all students are expected to become actively involved in a variety of professional activities, such as supervision of student teachers, conference presentations, publications, and college teaching.
Doctor of Education. Although the requirements for this degree are similar to those for the Doctor of Philosophy, the Doctor of Education emphasizes applied research, and the program is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in a variety of educational settings. Requirements include a focus on program evaluation, organizational decision making, policy and law, and personnel preparation. The Doctor of Education dissertation may be a theoretically based piece of original research; it may also represent a scholarly investigation in special education or rehabilitation counseling that contributes to policy development, professional practice, or both. Graduates are prepared to assume leadership roles at the district, state, or national agency levels.
For More Information
Campus address: George I. Sánchez Building (SZB) 306, phone (512) 471-9857, fax (512) 471-2471; campus mail code: D5300
Mailing address: The University of Texas at Austin, Graduate Program, Department of Special Education, 1 University Station D5300, Austin TX 78712
E-mail: steph.hill@mail.utexas.edu