Graduate Programs
The Master of Science in Special Education
(1) Master's Thesis (Plan A)
The thesis option (Plan A) requires candidates to conduct original research in special education or a related discipline under the direction of the major advisor. The research is written up and published as a bound volume (typically from 50 -75 pp). During SPED 601, the candidate is helped to form a three-member Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC) and to develop and present a thesis proposal to the members of this group. If the thesis proposal is approved, the candidate completes the thesis during SPED 602 and presents it to the FAC during a Final Oral examination. Candidates for the thesis option (Plan A) must enroll in 6 credits of SPED 699, Thesis Units. Typically, though not always, the original research requirement of Plan A will require the candidate to seek approval for the use of human subjects from the university-wide Institutional Review Board. Candidates will receive assistance through this process by the instructor(s) of SPED 601 and SPED 602 as well as by the major advisor.
Recent thesis topics have included the following:
- the effects of homework on middle school students with learning disabilities
- pre- and in-service training needs of urban and rural teachers
- the effects of voice activated software on student learning
