The Department of Special Education offers a Master of Science (M.S.) degree, a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree, and a Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) degree.
All graduate students are held responsible for the requirements and academic policies established by the Graduate College and outlined in the front of the graduate catalog. In addition, the Department of Special Education has established requirements for each of its degree offerings. While these requirements may be obtained from an academic advisor, they are briefly outlined here.
All master's degree programs require a minimum of 36 semester hours of approved studies and an overall minimum GPA of 3.00 in all courses counted toward the degree. Six of these semester hours are in research (3) and multicultural perspectives (3).
Master's degrees must be completed within a six-year period, and continuous enrollment must be maintained throughout the six years, unless a formal request for a leave of absence is approved by the department and Graduate College.
Graduate Degree Information Contents
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Master of Education (M.Ed.)
- Areas of Emphasis
- Specialist in Education (Ed.S.)
- Admission Requirements
- Financial Aid
- Forms
- General Information
Master of Science (M.S.)
The M.S. degree requires at least 36 semester credit hours. The student must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours with the ESP prefix, EPY 702 and a maximum of nine credit hours in electives as approved by the department. A thesis and its defense are the culminating activities for this degree.
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
The M.Ed. degree also requires at least 36 semester credit hours. Students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours with the ESP prefix, EPY 702 and
A.) Pass a written Comprehensive Examination during the student's last semester of coursework or in the semester immediately following the student's last semester of coursework. Please see your advisor for further information on comprehensive exams. Applications for master's written comprehensive exams are available online: Comps App & Instructions
OR
B.) Complete and pass a comprehensive portfolio. The comprehensive portfolio must contain the primary assignments and grading rubrics from all courses on each student's program of study. It is each students' responsibility to collect and retain the assignments and graded rubrics at the end of each semester. Students must earn a "B" or better on the primary assignment in order for it to be included in the portfolio.
In addition, the comprehensive portfolio must include a matrix of the appropriate CEC or NAEYC standards and a student generated checklist linking the primary assignment from each course to the appropriate standard. Further, the portfolio must include a table of contents and a 3 to 5 page reflection of the portfolio and content learned in coursework in the Department of Special Education.
The comprehensive portfolio must be completed and turned in for evaluation by each student to their academic advisor during the student's last semester of coursework or in the semester immediately following the student's last semester of coursework. Please see your advisor for further information on comprehensive portfolios. Applications for master's comprehensive portfolios are available online: Master's Comprehensive Portfolio Application Form
Culminating Activity for M.Ed. by Admission Date:
- Students admitted prior to spring 2007 will complete master's comprehensive exams.
- Students admitted spring 2007 through spring 2009 will complete master's comprehensive portfolios.
- Students admitted summer 2009 and beyond will complete master's comprehensive exams.
Areas of Emphasis
A number of specific program options are available to students pursuing a graduate degree.
- Autism: [HTML] [PDF]
- Early Childhood Education: [HTML] [PDF]
- Early Childhood Special Education: [HTML] [PDF]
- Emotional Disturbance: [HTML] [PDF]
- Generalist: [HTML] [PDF]
- Giftedness: [HTML] [PDF]
- Learning Disabilities: [HTML] [PDF]
- Mental Retardation: [HTML] [PDF]
- Teach English as a Second Language: [HTML] [PDF]
Specialist in Education (Ed.S.)
Candidates for the Specialist in Education degree are required to complete a minimum of 65 semester hours of graduate course work beyond the bachelor's degree of a minimum of 35 semester hours beyond the master's degree.
Admission Requirements
Application forms and fees, official transcripts, and test results are submitted to the Graduate College . A one page (350 to 400 words) letter of intent that includes (1) the special education or early childhood education area of concentration you are interested in, (2) your professional and academic goals, and (3) a discussion of your experience relative to the program. Please upload this letter when you apply on-line through the Graduate College Apply Yourself application system.
Assistantship applications are submitted to the department. International students should check with the Graduate College for current deadlines and procedures.
Admission to Master's degree programs in special education requires a minimum grade point average of 2.75 for all undergraduate work or a 3.00 for the last two years of undergraduate work. Admission to a Master's degree program in special education requires that students with a GPA of less than 2.75 be admitted to the graduate program with provisional status. Applicants are evaluated on scholastic record, professional accomplishments, and potential for advanced studies.
Currently, students may be admitted during any semester.
Graduate College Admission Requirements
- Completed application for admission and fee
- Set of official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities
Financial Aid
Graduate Assistantships, Barrick Fellowships, and Alumni Scholarships are a few of the types of assistance available through the Graduate College. Please contact the Graduate College for additional information at 702-895-3320.
Information on grants, loans, and employment opportunities may be obtained from Student Financial Services at 702-895-3424, or toll free at 1-800-344-UNLV. Information on Graduate Assistantships may be obtained from the department at 702-895-3205.
Graduate assistantships provide a monthly stipend and tuition/fee waiver. Applications and all supporting materials must be sent to the Graduate College no later than March 31 st , preceding the fall semester in which an assistantship is sought. On rare occasions, assistantships may be available for the spring semester. In such cases, the application deadline is November 1.
Forms
| Form Title | Timelines |
|---|---|
| Master's Program Part 1 | Before completing 16 hours OR by the 6th week of the semester of admission if 12+ hours (taken prior to admission) will be considered as part of the degree program. To be submitted with Master's Proposed Program Part 2 and Advisory Committee Form. |
| Master's Program Part 2 | Before completing 16 hours OR by the 6th week of the semester of admission if 12+ hours (taken prior to admission) will be considered as part of the degree program. To be submitted with Master's Proposed Program Part 1 and Advisory Committee Form. |
| Advisory Committee Form | To be submitted with Master's Proposed Program Parts 1 & 2. |
| Change in Proposed Degree Program | When course substitutions are needed. |
| Change from M.S. to M.Ed. | If applicable, to change degree sought from an M.S. to an M.Ed. Must be submitted within the first month of the first term of admission. |
| Change Advisor/Committee Member Memo | When advisor or committee member changes are needed. |
| Overload Authorization Form | If applicable. |
| Student Teaching Application | Applications due: Spring: Apply by October 15 Summer: Apply by March 1 Fall: Apply by April 1 For fingerprinting, payment and other important information, visit the Office of Field Experiences website. |
| Comprehensive Exam Application & Instructions | For students admitted prior to spring 2007 or summer 2009 and beyond. Comprehensive Exam applications are accepted each semester and are due to the department on the same day that graduation applications are due WITHOUT a late fee. Please see graduate college website for graduation application deadlines. |
| Master's Portfolio Application | For students admitted spring 2007 through spring 2009. Portfolio applications are accepted each semester and are due to the department on the same day that graduation applications are due WITHOUT a late fee. Please see graduate college website for graduation application deadlines. |
| Portfolio Overview | Guidelines for Master's Comprehensive Portfolio. |
| ESP 766 Form | If applicable. To be submitted with Comprehensive Exam or Comprehensive Portfolio application. |
General Information
To obtain a Graduate Catalog by mail within the United States, send a check or money order only for $6.00 (made payable to the Board of Regents) to the Graduate College, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (see address below). Catalogs are also available through the UNLV Bookstore.
Graduate College
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 Maryland Parkway
Box 451017
Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-1017
Office of the Dean: 702-895-4391
Admissions and Programs: 702-895-3320
Graduate Coordinator
Department of Special Education
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 Maryland Parkway
Box 453014
Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-3014
Dept. Phone: 702-895-3205
Dept. Fax: 702-895-0984
