Purpose of the MSE Program:
The main purpose of the MSE program in Special Education is to prepare collaborative special education teachers skilled in providing quality instruction to students representing a broad scope of abilities. Candidates will gain expertise in special education including foundations, development and characteristics of learners, individual learning differences, instructional strategies and planning, learning environments, guidance and behavior management, communication, working with families, assessment, and professional and ethical practice. The program recognizes the changing and complex role of the special educator and as such prepares the graduate candidates to:
- provide support and instruction to students with cognitive, physical, behavior, multiple, and/or health disabilities from kindergarten through 12th grade,
- work in different educational settings such as self-contained, resource, and regular classrooms,
- access the general education curriculum demonstrating a strong knowledge and skill set in academic content areas, and
- effectively collaborate and work closely with general education teachers, related service personnel, administrators, and families to ensure all students are given every opportunity to reach their full potential.
The graduate program is designed to provide candidates with current information and experiences to enable them to implement evidenced–based practices, ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to provide data-driven instruction, conduct action research to stay current in their personal practices with students, and be well versed in cross-disciplinary best practices that keep candidates at the top of their field.
The MSE is a 30-graduate credit hour fully online program designed to meet the performance standards of the Arkansas Competencies for Special Education K–12 Teachers, the Arkansas Teaching Standards, the Arkansas Science of Reading Competencies, the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)Standards, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)standards, and the standards for Teacher Excellence and Support Systems (TESS).
The program meets these standards while providing advanced studies in the discipline of special education. Included in the program is a 21-hour core of courses, which are required for K-12 Special Education licensure in Arkansas. Candidates holding an Arkansas teaching license in a general education area (elementary, middle-level, or secondary content), successfully completing the 21-hour core endorsement program of study and both Praxis II exams will result in the candidate being eligible for an Arkansas Special Education K–12 license.
Program delivery is through distance education with courses offered in both synchronous and asynchronous online formats and include online videos, training events, tutorials, and the use of the Blackboard online classroom. For some instruction and assignments, students may be required to meet online.
Program of Study:
Special education graduate courses in the MSE program are primarily offered by the Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education. The program’s main purpose is to prepare collaborative special education teachers skilled in providing quality instruction to students representing a broad scope of abilities. (Graduate Bulletin).
The program offers a broad range of opportunities for candidates to learn about special education litigation and legislation, assessment, behavior guidance, evidence-based instructional strategies, and best practices in serving persons with disabilities and their families in least restrictive environments.
Required Courses. The MSE in Special Education can be completed in two years. Students can fulfill the Arkansas Department of Teacher Licensure requirements for Special Education licensure through this program. Classes are offered online as a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. The program of study includes the following ten courses:
- ELSE 6300 Philosophical, Historical & Legal Aspects of Special Education
- ELSE 6304 Behavior Management and Analysis in Special Education
- ELSE 6308 Educational Assessment in Special Education
- ELSE 6333 Math and Science for Diverse Learners
- ELSE 6348 Multisensory Approach to Language I
- ELSE 6349 Multisensory Approach to Language II
- ELSE 6366 Educational Programming for Students with Mild Disabilities K-12
- ELSE 6367 Educational Programming for Students with Significant Disabilities K-12
- ELSE 6384 Research and Best Practices in Special Education
- ASTL 6380 Research Methods
Graduate candidates who enter the program previously completing both phases of a reading proficiency pathway, which includes the Foundations of Reading Assessment, may complete coursework for the Gifted and Talented Certificate Program (15 credit hours), and substitute six hours of gifted and talented (GATE) coursework for ELSE 6348 and ELSE 6349.
Course Descriptions:
MSE Admission and Completion Information:
- Admission into the MSE program will be selective and competitive. Potential candidates must submit a Graduate School application to the Graduate School. Contact Interim Department Chair of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education in the Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education or visit the department’s website (https://uca.edu/else/) for program details.
- In addition to the general application and GPA requirements of the UCA Graduate School, applicants seeking an Arkansas Special Education K–12 license must:
(a) hold a valid standard Arkansas educator license, and
(b) complete a Program Recommendation by Administrator Form or a Request for Exception from Administrator Form (if they are not currently employed by a school). For individuals who have an out-of-state educator license and wish to hold an Arkansas Special Education K–12 license, contact the department at (501) 450-3172 for assistance. While individuals not holding a teaching license are eligible for admission into the MSE program, they will not be eligible for Arkansas Special Education K–12 license as the license is considered an endorsement to an Arkansas teaching license in a general education area. These individuals must submit a statement of purpose with their application for admission. Please contact the Interim Department Chair of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education for more details.
- With approval, a maximum of six hours may be transferred from another institution of higher education. Course syllabi for transferred courses must be reviewed and approved by the candidate’s advisor and the Interim Department Chair of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education.
- Participation in the Comprehensive Examination can only take place during the final semester of study.
- Programs in the College of Education that lead to licensure relating to K–12 schools require satisfactory completion of all key assessments identified by the program area.
- Candidates have two options regarding the exit assessment: satisfactory completion (as determined by the state) of the state-mandated licensure tests for special education or satisfactory completion of the alternative assessment as identified by the program faculty.
University of Central Arkansas MSE in Special Education Ranked a Top School for Online Master’s in Education for 2023
Most Affordable Online Master’s in Education Programs for 2023. The MSE in Special Education at the University of Central Arkansas has been recognized as one of the best programs for online learning at the 
master’s level by OnlineMastersDegrees.org (OMD). UCA’s MSE in Special Education Program earned top honors for overall quality, affordability, and commitment to student success. To be eligible for ranking, a university must hold active regional accreditation and have at least one partially online master’s program in the ranking subject. Just 8 percent of U.S. postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position.