A Master's Degree or Endorsement Focused on Generalist Preparation in Special Education
The Special Education Generalist program prepares teachers to work with students who are identified with a variety of disabilities from moderate to severe intensity.
Choose from a...
- Special Education Master of Arts – Generalist Emphasis – this degree includes the endorsement preparation.
- Special Education Generalist Endorsement (Ages 5-21 yrs) – this is the endorsement-only option.
The program content will focus on literacy and mathematics instruction, understanding standards and assessment, behavior management, differentiated instruction, and technology. After completing this program, you will obtain the skills needed to provide appropriate behavior supports and accommodations for learning of students with disabilities.
Also Available for Those Who Aren't Already Licensed to Teach
If you are not currently a teacher but are looking for a career change, you may need to take an additional course (3 credits) to work toward obtaining your teaching licensure. This can be completed alongside your master's program coursework and can be finished at the same time. In some cases, it can also be waived; contact the Program Coordinator for details.
A History of Excellence
The School of Special Education at the University of Northern Colorado has a long history of excellence in the preparation of special education teachers. The school is fully accredited by the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Higher Learning Commission.
Designed for the Schedule of a Working Professional
This program leads to preparation for the Special Education Generalist endorsement (you will be prepared to take the appropriate Praxis assessment). You can choose the endorsement-only option (27 credit hours) or the master's degree with endorsement (33 credit hours). Master's degree students have eligibility for federal financial aid and the benefits of master's degree completion for their career.
- Endorsement-only students can finish in one-and-a-half years, and master's degree students can finish in two years.
- If you are not a licensed teacher, you may need to take an additional course (3 credits) to work toward obtaining your teaching licensure. Contact a Program Coordinator for details.
Required Courses (27-33 Credit Hours)
To see the upcoming courses, visit this program's Current Students page.
Master's degree students will take all courses below. Endorsement-only students will take all courses except for the two courses marked with "** MA-only."
- EDSE 510 Foundations of Special Education (3)
- EDSE 511 Content Accessibility for CLD and Students with Identified Needs (3) ** MA-only
- EDSE 512 Assessment, IEP Development and Instructional Planning (3)
- EDSE 613 Applied Assessment (3)
- EDSE 614 Behavioral Interventions (3)
- EDSE 616 Scientifically Based Literacy Interventions (3)
- EDSE 617 Mathematics and Content Area Learning for Students with Disabilities (3)
- EDSE 618 Educating Students with Significant Support Needs (3)
- EDSE 619 Secondary Services (3)
- EDSE 693 Practicum in Special Education (3)
- SRM 600 Introduction to Graduate Research (3) ** MA-only
For full details, see the official program listings in the UNC Graduate Catalog:
Get Started/Apply
Request Information
Request MA with Endorsement Info
Additional Resources
- We also encourage you to visit the School of Special Education's Generalist Emphasis page.
- You may also be interested in dual endorsement in Special Education and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education via our Teaching Diverse Learners (Master's) program.
- Learn more about the Special Education Faculty.
Related Licensure Programs
Related Special Education Programs
- Special Education: Deaf & Hard of Hearing (Master's)
- Special Education: Early Childhood (Master's or Endorsement)
- Special Education: Gifted Education (Master's, Endorsement or Certificate)
- Special Education – Intervention Specialist: Applied Behavior Analysis (Master's; BCBA-Related)
- Special Education – Intervention Specialist: Academic Coaching & Leadership (Master's)
- Special Education: Visual Impairment (Master's)