The Master of Arts in Special Education Leadership is designed for educators with an interest in being a leader in special education. This degree is designed to provide qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge necessary to engage in the practice of leading in the field of special education.
This program will enable candidates to:
- Apply an understanding of the financial and legal implications of special education programs in making critical decisions impacting students.
- Develop a professional development plan that promotes growth in personnel.
- Understand the role of each stakeholder and their contribution to the special education program.
- Be knowledgeable about and support the use of effective teaching strategies for students with disabilities and access needs.
- Conduct research to answer questions related to special education practices, and successfully and systemically meet the needs of exceptional learners.
Candidates for this program will have experience providing special education service (as a special education teacher/educator, a speech-language pathologist, a school social worker or school psychologist).
General Graduate Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Concordia University Chicago graduate programs as published in the Concordia University Chicago academic catalog.
New students are accepted into graduate degree-seeking, certificate, endorsement and/or post-graduate programs for online and on-campus study in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Previously admitted students seeking to change programs may do so at the beginning of a semester (only) by submitting a Change-of-Program quick app. Applicants must be in good academic standing according to Concordia University Chicago’s satisfactory academic progress standards at the time of requesting a program change.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDL/SPED-6225 | Special Education Finance 1 | 3 |
| EDL/SPED-6250 | Special Education Law and Policy 1 | 3 |
| EDL-6310 | School, Families and Community Partnerships | 3 |
| SPED-6230 | Assistive Technology: Principles and Practice | 3 |
| SPED-6355 | Instructional Strategies for Students with Academic and Physical Challenges 1 | 3 |
| SPED-6365 | Instructional Strategies for Students with Specific Learning Disabilities and Emotional Disabilities 1 | 3 |
| SPED-6375 | Supervision of Programs and Facilitation of LRE for Children with Disabilities 1 | 3 |
| SPED-6896 | Practicum and Seminar in Special Education Leadership 1 | 3 |
| SPED-6897 | Practicum and Seminar in Special Education Leadership 2 | 3 |
| RES-6600 | Research in Education | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
CUC offers the courses that may lead to the ISBE-approved Director of Special Education (DOSE) endorsement for those who qualify to be able to add the DOSE endorsement onto an existing General Administrative Certificate or Illinois Principal endorsement, but the MA-Special Education Leadership program is not a DOSE endorsement pathway. The DOSE is a stand-alone program but students can dually enroll in the DOSE endorsement and this master's degree. The five courses indicated are recommended for students pursuing the DOSE in Illinois. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they have fulfilled all state requirements through ISBE. CUC does entitle for the Director of Special Education for those who fulfill the requirements for CUC’s post-master’s DOSE endorsement pathway.
Capstone Experience
The capstone for this program is fulfilled by the completion of both SPED-6896 Practicum and Seminar in Special Education Leadership 1 and SPED-6897 Practicum and Seminar in Special Education Leadership 2. The capstone courses are taken after all content courses.
Graduation Requirements
- Have on file an application as a degree-seeking graduate student.
- Have on file one official transcript from EACH college/university attended of all previous coursework taken.
- Complete, for the degree being sought:
- the credit hours and levels as designated,
- within the specified time limit,
- with grades of C- or higher,
- with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Students completing multiple advanced programs or degrees at CUC must have a 3.0 GPA in each academic program in addition to a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- If transfer credit is approved to be applied: have on file an approved “Graduate Transfer Credit Approval” form(s) or evaluation(s).
- Have on file the Intent to Graduate/Complete form with the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.
- Have on file, if applicable, necessary copies of a project, thesis or dissertation.
- Take and pass the final examination or terminal requirements in the program during or after the final course.
- Approval of the faculty.
- All administrative obligations to CUC must be cleared in order to prompt the release of CUC transcripts and diploma(s).
Every attempt has been made to include information to aid the student with information about his/her program, degree and graduation/completion requirements. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to complete all steps and meet all deadlines relevant to graduation requirements.