Division of Special Education
Website: https://twu.edu/education/special-education/
Division Head: Dr. Randa Keeley, Associate Professor
Phone: 940-898-2278
E-mail: rkeeley@twu.edu
The Division of Special Education offers M.Ed. and Ph.D. degrees in Special Education that allow individuals to enhance their knowledge of research in special education, acquire knowledge and expertise in working with individuals with disabilities, and become master teachers. The Division of Special Education also offers coursework leading to certification as an Educational Diagnostician (which can be completed concurrently with the M.Ed. in Special Education or as a standalone certification program).
Graduate Degrees Offered
Admissions
All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.
The academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.
Faculty
Courses
Contact hours identified in the course descriptions are based on a 15-week term. Students who enroll in Summer or mini-terms are expected to meet the same total number of contact hours as a 15-week term.
EDSP 5003. Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children. In-depth study in understanding educational and psychological problems in all areas of exceptionality; individual case studies; field trips and demonstration of problems. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 5013. Collaborating for Effective Intervention. Communicative/Interactive skills used for consultation and collaborative problem-solving in the classroom. Emphasis on strategies for collaboration among educators who work with students with disabilities, teachers, administrators, support personnel, and paraprofessionals, with an emphasis on collaboration in the design, implementation, and evaluation of student interventions. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 5033. Using Assessments for Effective Interventions. Current concepts and issues of assessment in special education; knowledge and practice in administering and using standardized assessments as well as curriculum based assessment; assessment of students from diverse backgrounds and application of response to intervention (RTI) data. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 5043. Legal and Administrative Issues of Special Education Programs. Concepts and theories in the administrative aspects of special education with an emphasis on laws, legislation, and litigation related to the provision of instruction and other educational services to students with disabilities. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 5123. Students with High-Incidence Disabilities. Exploration of the cognitive, academic, language, social, and behavioral characteristics and needs of students with high-incidence disabilities such as autism spectrum disorders, communication disorders, intellectual disabilities, specific learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, and physical/sensory disabilities that affect educational opportunities. Primary focus on the impact of these characteristics and needs on academic achievement and successful transition into the community. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 5133. Students with Low-Incidence Disabilities. Exploration of the cognitive, language, behavioral, and physical characteristics and needs of individuals with low-incidence disabilities which may include intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and physical/sensory disabilities; impact of these characteristics and needs on academic, vocational, and social skills across the life span. Examination of issues related to school achievement, transition, and successful inclusion in the community. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 5313. Behavior Interventions for Students with Disabilities. Concepts, theories, and strategies to provide effective behavioral interventions for students with disabilities. Includes social skill intervention, crisis management procedures, and planning and implementing social development programs. Focus on the use of intervention tools such as Positive Behavior Supports and Behavior Intervention Plans. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 5423. Instructional Interventions for Students with Disabilities. Practical application of theories, methods, technology, techniques, and materials for designing and implementing instructional interventions for students with disabilities. Selection, use, and evaluation of curriculum models and materials. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 5833. Individual Diagnostic Assessment. Use of co-normed appraisal instruments in special education evaluations; educational diagnostician ethics and standards. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 5843. Special Education Evaluation. Current methods and processes for the evaluation of students with suspected disabilities; interpretation of the results of formal tests and informal information gathered through a variety of methods. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 5863. Educational Diagnostician Practicum. Field-based practicum based on Texas Educational Diagnostician standards. Prerequisites: EDSP 5833 and EDSP 5843. Includes 160 total practicum hours. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 5903. Special Topics. Organized study of a topic in special education. May be repeated. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 5911. Independent Study. Individual study of a specific topic in special education. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Credit: One hour.
EDSP 5913. Independent Study. Individual study of a specific topic in special education. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 6003. Single Subject Research. In-depth exploration of single subject research and designing single case research studies. Single-subject methodologies inluding multiple baseline, alternating treatment, reversal/withdrawal, and changing criterion designs; visual analysis of single-subject data; and critical reading and evaluation of published single-subject research studies across disciplines including special education, psychology, kinesiology, and other social sciences. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 6103. Social, Psychological, and Educational Aspects of Intellectual and Development Disabilities. Advanced study of etiology, remediation, and education of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Prerequisites: EDSP 5103 or equivalent course, and permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 6303. Seminar in Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. Study of emotional and behavioral disorders across the lifespan. Research related to etiology, conceptual models, educational implications, and interventions. Prerequisites: EDUC 5303 or equivalent course, and permission of instructor. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 6403. Seminar in Learning Disabilities. Advanced study of physical, psychological, and environmental causes of learning disabilities, and interrelationships among the causes. Research on effective, evidence-based interventions to support individuals with learning disabilities in academic, social, and vocational contexts. Prerequisites: EDSP 5413 or equivalent course in the area, and permission of instructor. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 6603. Social Constructs of Disabilities. The study of how disabilities are socially constructed. Analysis of disability constructs includes the perspectives of individuals with disabilities and the impact of literature, art, and the media. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 6903. Special Topics. Organized study of a topic in special education. May be repeated. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 6911. Independent Study. Individual study of special problems in special education. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 6913. Independent Study. Individual study of special problems in special education. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 6983. Dissertation. May be repeated for credit. Credit: Three hours.
EDSP 6993. Dissertation. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: EDUC 6983. Credit: Three hours.
