K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education

The need for educators who teach learners with mild/moderate disabilities becomes more critical every year. Severe shortages of qualified special education teachers continue to persist—locally, regionally, statewide and nationally. In addition to learning how to advocate for effective and responsive education for learners who experience mild/moderate disabilities, graduate students should gain the following from coursework in the K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education program:

• A deep understanding of fundamental issues associated with teaching learners who experience a broad range of mild/moderate disabilities
• Specific skills associated with assessment and eligibility determination for learners who experience mild/moderate disabilities
• Knowledge of differentiated instructional methods needed to successfully teach learners who experience mild/moderate disabilities
• Effective implementation of behavioral interventions with learners who experience mild/moderate disabilities
• Selection and effective implementation of assistive technologies
• Design and implementation of effective augmentative communication strategies, in natural environments
• Focused methods to prepare learners and their families for transition from secondary education to a successful career
• A variety of strategies for effectively collaborating with families and members of inter-professional collaborative teams in education
• Enhanced general knowledge of diverse, inclusive classroom settings
• Training in analytical and critical thinking methods
• Capstone experience (thesis or internship), which requires the application of content information gained from participation in the M.A.S. in Assessment program

• All courses are available online
• Program is designed to foster a meaningful online community through the incorporation of synchronous video sessions in each course
• Nearly all courses are taught by full-time Department of Education faculty
• Foundation in current research in the field of K-12 cross-categorical special education
• Professional core sequence, which focuses on designing, conducting, and analyzing research in education
• Culminating capstone experience typically involves a collaboration with a partner agency in the graduate student’s home community
• Program supports Missouri Western State University’s primary mission of applied learning