The M.A. and professional degree in teacher preparation in the field of severe and multiple disabilities prepares aspiring educators to teach students with moderate to severe developmental, intellectual, and multiple disabilities, including students with deafblindness, and autism with concurrent cognitive, sensory and physical support needs. The program is founded upon an inclusive education and person-centered approach integrating evidence-based practices with an emphasis on augmentative and alternative communication strategies and curricular adaptations and modifications for instructing students with extensive support needs in K-12, and post-secondary education. Students who successfully complete the program and student teaching are eligible to apply for the Provisional Moderate to Severe (K-12) Special Education Teaching Certificate in the state of Arizona, which often has reciprocity in other states.
Special Education M.A. (Severe & Multiple Disabilities)
Learn about issues related to the fields of special education and rehabilitation
Study methods of assessing and developing programming and instruction for students who have moderate, severe, and multiple disabilities
Graduate with the knowledge, skills, and requirements needed to teach students with severe and multiple disabilities (after receiving an Arizona teaching certificate)
Sample Courses
Courses in the program are delivered in a hybrid model, in-person and online. Core coursework of the special education program includes courses like SERP 500 (Introduction to Special Education), SERP 502 (Behavior Principles and Disability), and SERP 503 (Special Education Law and Policy). In addition to core coursework, students in the program specialization will take courses like SERP 513 (Assessing & Educating Students with Intellectual & Severe Disabilities) and SERP 564 (Introduction to Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders).
Careers
Most graduates of the program go on to become inclusion specialists and special education teachers, and other potential position careers may include program specialists, instructional coaches, itinerant teachers, and program coordinators.
Graduates of the program engage in a wide variety of instructional responsibilities. For example, as a certified special education teacher, you will:
- Provide academic instruction
- Conduct educational assessments
- Develop educational plans
- Create behavior intervention plans
- Collaborate and consult with general education teachers and related service professionals (e.g., speech, occupational, and physical therapists, and orientation and mobility specialists)
- Coordinate educational meetings
- Manage educational records
- Meet with parents
Contact Us
For more information about the program, please contact Associate Professor of Practice Stephanie MacFarland.