• UNM 2010-2011 Catalog
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• »Graduate Programs

Graduate Programs

Graduate Advisor
Inquire within the program.

Student Information Contact
Jo Sanchez, Hokona Hall Zuni, Room 273, (505) 277-5018

Priority Applications Deadlines
M.A., Ed.D. and Ph.D.

The priority application deadlines are encouraged for best consideration and for financial aid; however, program faculty review applications throughout the year.

Degrees Offered

M.A. in Special Education
Ed.D. in Special Education
Ph.D. in Special Education
Education Specialist (Ed.Spc.), Special Education
Certificate: Transcripted Certificate in Instruction for Students with Intensive Social, Language, and Behavioral Needs

Special Education offers graduate programs leading to special education teacher licensure, the Master’s degree, a transcripted graduate certificate in Instruction For Students with Intensive Social, Language and Behavioral Needs, sixth year certificate (Ed.Spc.) and doctoral degrees (Ed.D. and Ph.D.). Concentrations include: 1) the Special Education concentration in Mental Retardation and Severe Disabilities: Studies in Educational Equity for Diverse Exceptional Learners (which includes mental retardation, severe disabilities, autism, intensive communication needs, cultural and linguistic diversity and inclusive education); and 2) the Special Education concentration in Learning and Behavioral Exceptionalities: Studies in Instruction, Curriculum, Collaboration and Transition of Diverse Learners (which includes learning disabilities, behavior disorders, early childhood and gifted/twice exceptional). Contact the program for specific information and related requirements.

Application Process

Graduate Admissions
University of New Mexico
P.O. Box 4849
Albuquerque, NM 87196-4849
(505) 277-2447
University of New Mexico
College of Education - Special Education
MSC 05 3040, Hokona Hall Zuni 273
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

New Applications: M.A./Licensure
Send to Office of Admissions (address above)

• Completed and signed Graduate Application form, or apply online, http://www.unm.edu/grad (online application for first-time domestic applicants ONLY).
• Residency form.
• $50.00 non-refundable application fee.
• One official transcript from each college you have attended (Exception: UNM transcripts).

Send to Special Education Program (address above)

• Letter of Intent.
• Department Application form
• Letters (3) of Recommendation.
• One official transcript from each college you have attended (Exception: UNM transcripts).

Doctoral Programs/Certificate Education Specialist/ Graduate Certificate (address above)
Send to Office of Admissions (address above)

• Completed and signed Graduate Application form, or apply online, http://www.unm.edu/grad (online application for first-time domestic applicants ONLY).
• Residency form.
• $50.00 non-refundable application fee.
• One official transcript from each college you have attended (Exception: UNM transcripts).

For Ph.D./Ed.S.
Send to Special Education Program (address above)

• Letter of Intent
• Department Application form
• Resume
• Writing Sample
• Letters (5) of Recommendation.
• One (1) official transcript from each college you have attended (Exception: UNM transcripts).

For Graduate Certificate
Send to Special Education Program (address above)

• Department Application form
• One-page philosophy statement on community participation of persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD
• Letters (3) of Recommendation
• One official transcript from each college you have attended (Exception: UNM transcripts)

Requirements

Students are required to take SPCD 601 prior to screening for Ph.D. or Ed.D. SPCD 615 must also be completed as soon as possible. Other specific requirements are stated in program documents, which describe individual programs.

Graduate Degree and Graduate Licensure Programs

Special Education offers a graduate licensure program leading to New Mexico teacher licensure in special education. Admission decisions are based on the application package. Particular attention is paid to the grade point average (a minimum of a 3.0 over the last 60 credit hours for the licensure program and a 3.2 for the master’s degree are required.) Graduate licensure is typically earned through satisfactory completion of 30 credit hours in Special Education in an approved program, including the core courses (15 credit hours) required by the New Mexico Public Education Department Licensure and Preparation Unit. Students are encouraged to choose an area of concentration upon entry to the Special Education Program at the University of New Mexico. The core licensure courses address the same identified content and general competencies across both concentrations (see Table 1 below). However, the student’s concentration of choice will determine the specific courses that fulfill the core content requirements.

Core Content for Special Education Licensure

• Introduction to Special Education and Individuals Served
• Assessment of Diverse Exceptional Learners
• Methods for Teaching Diverse Exceptional Learners
• Behavioral Supports/Classroom Management in Special Education
• Supervised Teaching in Special Education

The Master of Arts requires a minimum of 36 credit hours. Students not presently holding a valid teaching certificate may anticipate taking more classes in order to fulfill program requirements. It is strongly recommended that applicants hold or be eligible for a New Mexico teaching certificate. For specific details of the program interested applicants should contact the program coordinator, or the concentration coordinator.

The Special Education graduate and licensure programs’ curricular offerings follow two pathways: 1) Special Education Concentration I in Mental Retardation and Severe Disabilities: Studies in Educational Equity for Diverse Exceptional Learners and 2) Special Education Concentration II in Learning and Behavioral Exceptionalities: Studies in Instruction, Curriculum, Collaboration and Transition of Diverse Learners. A minimum of 36 credit hours at the graduate level is required for each concentration. Up to 45 credit hours at the graduate level may be required based on the student’s educational background. A complete list of concentration course work can be obtained at the program office. Applicants should complete the Special Education application form and indicate their preferences for either Concentration I or Concentration II.

Special Education Concentration I in Mental Retardation and Severe Disabilities: Studies in Educational Equity for Diverse Exceptional Learners is available for graduate and licensure students. Applicants should complete the Special Education application form and indicate their preference for Concentration I, Mental Retardation and Severe Disabilities. An advisor from within this Concentration will assist the student in selecting appropriate courses, such as:

Special Education Concentration II in Learning and Behavioral Exceptionalities: Studies in Instruction, Curriculum, Collaboration and Transition of Diverse Learners is available for graduate and licensure students. Applicants should complete their application form and submit it to the Special Education Program, indicating their preference for Concentration II, Learning and Behavioral Exceptionalities. Examples of Concentration II courses are listed below, plus courses from one of several specialization areas: learning disabilities, behavior disorders, early childhood and gifted/twice exceptional. An advisor from this concentration will assist students with course selection and ensure a smooth progression through the program. Examples of concentration II courses are listed below.

In conjunction with their advisors, M.A. degree students may choose one of the following capstone experiences to culminate their degree programs: (a) comprehensive examination, (b) M.A. project or (c) M.A. thesis.

Students from outside the Special Education Program seeking a supporting area may select courses from a Special Education Concentration. An advisor from the selected concentration will assist the student in selecting appropriate courses for the supporting area.

Graduate Certificate in Instruction for Students with Intensive Social, Language, and Behavioral Needs

The Graduate Certificate in Instruction for Students with Intensive Social, Language, and Behavioral Needs is designed for in-service general education and special education teachers, related service professionals (e.g., speech/language pathologist), and parents wishing to acquire advanced instructional skills and knowledge in the area of communication, social, and behavioral interventions for students with significant support needs. The Graduate Certificate program is open to students pursing a graduate degree in Special Education and in other related fields (e.g., Speech Language Pathology, Family Studies, Early Childhood Education) at the University of New Mexico, and to individuals who minimally hold a bachelor’s degree and are interested in having specialized training in working with students with social, language, and behavioral needs (e.g., students with autism spectrum disorders [ASD]). To obtain the certificate, students must successfully complete a minimum of 18 credit hours and an approved final capstone project.

Education Specialist Certificate

A sixth year Education Specialist (Ed.Spc.) certificate is also offered. This certificate is available for persons wishing to specialize beyond their M.A. degree in Special Education but for whom the doctorate is not appropriate for his/her career objectives. The Ed.Spc. requires a minimum of 30 hours (primarily in Special Education) beyond the M.A. degree in Special Education, and includes a capstone experience, typically an in-depth project.

Special Education offers both the Ed.D. and Ph.D. degrees. Interested applicants should contact the program for a detailed description.