Exceptional Student Education (MEd)

The MEd in Exceptional Student Education program prepares exceptional education teachers to work in programs serving Pre-K-12 students with disabilities. The program is designed for teachers already certified in exceptional student education (or other certification in special education) to enhance their knowledge, skills, and dispositions.

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Exceptional Student Education program is designed for teachers already certified in exceptional student education to enhance their knowledge, skills and dispositions. It requires 33 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree including a 3-credit-hour research course, 24 credit hours of specialization courses and 6 credit hours of either a thesis or electives approved by an adviser. A Comprehensive Examination is also required and serves as the culminating experience in the program. Individual Learning Projects, including research skills and action research in authentic settings, are embedded in the specialization courses.

Total Credit Hours Required: 33 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree

Please note: Exceptional Student Education (MEd) may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.

International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit http://global.ucf.edu/. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at 407-823-2337.

UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.

Program Prerequisites

Current Florida Professional Teaching Certificate in Exceptional Student Education or have completed all the requirements for that Professional Teaching Certificate.

Degree Requirements

Required Course

Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in this course early in their graduate program.
• Complete at least 1 of the following:
  • EDF6481 - Fundamentals of Graduate Research in Education (3)
  • EDF6472 - Data-Driven Decision-Making for Instruction (3)

Specialization Courses

• Complete all of the following
  • Complete the following:
    • EEX6061 - Instructional Strategies Pre-K-6 (3)
    • EEX6065 - Programming for Students with Disabilities at the Secondary Level (3)
    • EEX6107 - Teaching Spoken and Written Language (3)
    • EEX6295 - Assessment and Curriculum Prescriptions for the Exceptional Population (3)
    • EEX6342 - Seminar-Critical Issues in Special Education (3)
    • EEX6524 - Organization and Collaboration in Special Ed (3)
    • EEX6612 - Methods of Behavioral Management (3)
  • Earn at least 3 credits from the following types of courses: Elective course approved by an adviser (3 credit hours) OR EEX 6863 - Supervised Teaching Practicum with Exceptional Children 2-7 Credit Hours (for completion of the Severe and Profound Endorsement ONLY)
  • Please see your adviser for guidance regarding the selection of the above courses. EEX 6061 recommended to be completed successfully prior to enrollment in EEX 6107. EEX 6107 may be taken only AFTER 18 hours of graduate coursework in Exceptional Student Education have been completed successfully.

Thesis/Nonthesis Option

• Complete 1 of the following
  Thesis Option
  • Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: EEX 6971 - Thesis
  Nonthesis Option
  • Complete 1 of the following
    • Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
      • EEX6909 - Research Report (1 - 99)
    • Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: Two additional electives approved by an adviser for a total of 33 credit hours. Suggested areas of concentration may be taken as approved electives within the M.Ed. program. Please see complete listings of additional courses in Certificate/Endorsement Programs in Exceptional Student Education for possible electives (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Collaborative Intervention Specialist, Pre-K Disabilities, Severe and Profound, and Special Education). Electives must be approved by an adviser.

Comprehensive Examination

• The culminating Comprehensive Examination must be successfully completed to demonstrate mastery of research, skills, knowledge and dispositions of standards from accrediting educational agencies prior to graduation.

Grand Total Credits: 33

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines