• UNM 2012-2013 Catalog
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• »Special Education
• »Graduate Programs

Graduate Programs

Graduate Student Contact Information:

Della Allegros, Academic Advisor, Hokona Hall Zuni Rm. 104, dgalle06@unm.edu, 277-5018.

Application materials and program information can be found at the Special Education web site: http://coe.unm.edu/departments/ed-specialties/special-education.html

Degrees Offered

M.A. in Special Education
Ed.D. in Special Education
Ph.D. in Special Education

Transcripted Certificates Offered

Education Specialist, Special Education (Ed.Spc.)
Instruction for Students with Intensive Social, Language, and Behavioral Needs
Applied Behavioral Analysis: Research-based Interventions for Individuals with Disabilities Who Have Behavioral Challenges

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines are encouraged for best consideration and for financial aid eligibility; however, applications can be submitted throughout the year.

Application Process

M.A./Licensure

Application materials and program information can be found at the Special Education web site: http://coe.unm.edu/departments/ed-specialties/special-education.html, or by contacting the Special Education Academic Advisor (information above).

Send to Office of Admissions (address below):

• Complete Graduate Application online at http://admissions.unm.edu
• $50.00 non-refundable application fee (pay with credit card online as part of Graduate Application).
• One official transcript from each college you have attended (Exception: UNM transcripts).

Send to Special Education Program (address below):

• Letter of Intent.
• Department Application form
• 3 Letters of Recommendation (Recommend at least one letter from a college instructor, one from an employer, and one from another professional contact.)
• One official transcript from each college you have attended (Exception: UNM transcripts).

 Ph.D or Ed.D.

Students interested in pursuing a doctoral-level degree must make an appointment to meet with the Special Education Program Coordinator prior to applying. Contact the Academic Advisor (information above) to schedule an appointment. Application materials and program information can be found at the Special Education web site: http://coe.unm.edu/departments/ed-specialties/special-education.html, or by contacting the Special Education Academic Advisor (information above).

Send to Office of Admissions (address below):

• Complete Graduate Application online at http://admissions.unm.edu
• $50.00 non-refundable application fee (pay with credit card online as part of Graduate Application).
• One official transcript from each college you have attended (Exception: UNM transcripts).

Send to Special Education Program (address below):

• Letter of Intent
• Department Application form
• Resume
• Professional Writing Sample
• 5 Letters of Recommendation (Recommend letters from professionals who are directly familiar with applicant’s academic and professional work.)
• One (1) official transcript from each college you have attended (Exception: UNM transcripts).

Transcripted Graduate Certificates  

Send to Office of Admissions (address below):

• Complete Graduate Application online at http://admissions.unm.edu
• $50.00 non-refundable application fee (pay with credit card online as part of Graduate Application).
• One official transcript from each college you have attended (Exception: UNM transcripts).

• Department Application form
• (For ISLB only) One-page philosophy statement on community participation of persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
• 3 Letters of Recommendation (Recommend at least one letter from a college instructor, one from an employer, and one from another professional contact.)
• One official transcript from each college you have attended (Exception: UNM transcripts)

Graduate Admissions
University of New Mexico
P.O. Box 4849
Albuquerque, NM 87196-4849
(505) 277-8900

University of New Mexico
College of Education - Special Education
MSC05 3040, Hokona Hall Zuni 273
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

Graduate Degree and Graduate Licensure Programs

M.A. and M.A. with alternative licensure

Special Education offers an M.A. and an M.A. with alternative licensure. The M.A. requires 36 credit hours. Students interested in pursuing the M.A. with alternative licensure in Special Education are required to take up to 9 additional credit hours to meet state requirements. However, these additional credit hours are not required to obtain the M.A. degree.

The Special Education M.A. offers two concentrations. Students will choose a concentration at the time of application. Upon acceptance, an advisor will be assigned to develop the Program of Studies with the student. In conjunction with their advisor, students will choose to complete their degree either by writing a thesis/project (Plan I) or taking a final exam (Plan II).

Concentration I - Mental Retardation and Severe Disabilities: Studies in Educational Equity for Diverse Exceptional Learners

An advisor from within this Concentration will assist the student in selecting appropriate courses, such as:

Concentration II - Learning and Behavioral Exceptionalities: Studies in Instruction, Curriculum, Collaboration and Transition of Diverse Learners

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.

Ph.D. or Ed.D.

Students interested in pursuing a doctoral level degree must meet with the Special Education Program Coordinator prior to applying. Contact the Academic Advisor (information above) to schedule an appointment.

The doctoral program in Special Education offers the opportunity for advanced study across all areas of exceptionality. Doctoral students work closely with faculty who are actively engaged in cutting-edge research, collaboration with schools and public agencies, developing public policy, and advocating for individuals with exceptionalities and their families.

Students in the doctoral program follow a competency-based individualized program of study that develops the skills necessary to become future leaders in universities, community colleges, school districts, government, and community agencies.

All doctoral students are required to take SPCD 601 and SPCD 615.

Education Specialist Certificate (Ed.Spc.)

A sixth year Education Specialist 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.

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.

Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis: Research-based Interventions for Individuals with Disabilities Who Have Behavioral Challenges (ABA)

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis: Research-based Interventions for Individuals with Disabilities who have Behavioral Challenges is designed to prepare inservice special and general education teachers and related professionals as well as community providers (e.g., behavior therapists, developmental specialists, early interventionists) to conduct behavioral assessment with children and adults in need of behavior intervention services, provide behavior analytic interpretation of the results, and design and implement appropriate behavior interventions based on assessment results that will be implemented in home, school, and community settings.

The Graduate Certificate program is open to students pursuing a graduate degree in Special Education and in other related fields (e.g., Psychology) at the University of New Mexico and to individuals who minimally hold a bachelor’s degree and are interested in advanced training in behavioral analysis and intervention.

The certificate offers two options, each developed prospectively with the designated faculty certificate advisor: (1) Students successfully complete a minimum of 12 hours of coursework and an approved final capstone project or (2) Students successfully complete the requirements of (1) and also successfully complete an additional 6 hours of advanced field experience to fulfill the field experience requirements for credentialing as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Option (2) would prepare them to sit for the national credentialing exam for BCBAs.