Our early intervention licensure program prepares professionals to help children with disabilities and their families succeed.

A master’s in special education prepares professionals to work as specialists and consultants in programs that serve individuals with diverse learning needs (e.g., behavioral, academic, social).

Graduates students typically earn a master’s degree upon program completion and enjoy almost 100% rate of employment.

Graduate studies in special education build capacity through:

• Personnel preparation
• Research
• Outreach
• Dissemination

These four focus areas allow students to learn systems and approaches that prevent and reduce the incidence and prevalence of disabilities, as well as how to provide supports for students with disabilities to successfully participate in schools and communities.

Our programs are designed for students who want to learn through rigorous coursework and a diverse array of unique practicum experiences.  Courses and practicum experiences focus on:

• Characteristics of learners and services
• Cutting-edge assessment techniques
• Evidence-based approaches to designing and delivering instruction
• Effective classroom and behavior management techniques
• Coaching and collaborative educational practices
• Family support
• Transition services

SPED Master’s Handbook

Early Intervention Master’s and Licensure Program

The special education early intervention master’s and licensure program is designed to prepare professionals to:

• Provide quality early intervention services to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with diverse backgrounds who experience disability and those who are at risk for delay or disability
• Facilitate the inclusion of children in community programs and provide family-guided support and intervention
• Assess and evaluate child/family progress and program effectiveness within a variety of service delivery models with an emphasis on inclusive settings
• Operate effectively within an interagency, interdisciplinary team approach
• Understand and use research outcomes to enhance educational services delivered to children who are at risk and disabled and their families

Program Requirements

Students in the early intervention program typically complete the requirements for the master’s degree and endorsement program in 3–4 terms.

All of our master’s degree programs conform to the established University of Oregon and College of Education requirements and procedures.

Students complete an integrated program:

• Minimum of 45 credits in courses approved for graduate credit taken as an admitted master’s degree student (51 credits minimum if doing a specialization area)
• Up to 15 credits may be officially transferred in through a petition process
• 24 credits must be in UO graded courses passed with a GPA of 3.0 or better
• At least 9 credits in 600-level courses must be taken in residence
• Minimum 30 credits in SPED courses

All credits for the degree (including transfer credits) must be completed within seven years.

Students who earn their first master’s degree at the UO may receive a second master’s in another field by taking at least 30 graduate credits of which at least 24 must be in graded courses taken after official admission to the new major.

This can be particularly useful for students wishing to pursue a master’s in general teaching via our UOTeach program, and then add a special education focus as part of second-year master’s level studies.

Early Intervention Master’s Degree Plan

Prerequisites

Applicants need to have taken and passed a child/human development course as a prerequisite to the K–12 licensure program. Students who don’t meet this requirement, will have a child development course added to their program.

First Year

Summer Term - 10 Credits

Fall Term - 16 Credits

Winter Term - 15 Credits

Spring Term - 15 Credits