The Master of Arts in Special Education (MASE) program prepares licensed general education teachers to implement evidence-based practices to increase the success of students with high-incidence disabilities academically, socially, and behaviorally.
This thirty-credit degree program is completed in five semesters and is delivered online via a virtual learning format. Students are required to complete two supervised fieldwork practica that allow application of coursework to real-world situations. The MASE prepares a candidate to add a high-incidence disability endorsement to an existing Kansas license. State-specific licensure requirements are provided by the Director of the MASE to enrolling candidates who can then verify with their home state department of education the specific steps to take to add the special education endorsement.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Master of Arts in Special Education (MASE) program must meet the following admission criteria:
- Complete the online application.
- Submit official transcripts of all applicable college-level work completed and indication of a bachelor’s degree in education from an accredited college or university. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in their last two years (60 credits) of college coursework from an accredited institution.
- Evidence of teacher licensure for a role in a K-12 public/private school
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One letter of recommendation submitted by a supervisor and/or professional colleague to evaluate the candidate’s potential success as a graduate student.
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A résumé or curriculum vitae of educational and professional experience
Course List
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| EDUC-5550 | Theory of Characteristic Indiv W Except | 3 |
| EDUC-5551 | Theory Assessment of Individ W Exception | 3 |
| EDUC-5553 | Applic of Behavior & Classroom Managemen | 3 |
| EDUC-5554 | K-6 SPED Practicum & Reflection | 3 |
| EDUC-5555 | Theory Building School, Family Partnersh | 3 |
| EDUC-5556 | Appl Methd & Strat Indiv W Exceptional | 3 |
| EDUC-5557 | 6-12 SPED Practicum & Reflection | 3 |
| EDUC-5558 | Appli of Transition Services Ind Except | 3 |
| EDUC-6680 | Special Education Administration | 3 |
| EDUC-6581 | Supervised SPEC Tchng Capstone | 3 |
| EDUC-6699 | MA SPED Comp Exam | NULL |
Comprehensive Exam
All graduate students must successfully complete a comprehensive exam over the course of study for the degree. The comprehensive exam for the MASE is the Praxis Special Education Foundational Knowledge test (test code 5355).
Degree Requirements
- All coursework must be completed within six (6) years from the date of the initial enrollment.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.00 must be maintained at the conclusion of each semester.
- A maximum of six (6) semester hours of ‘C’ credit will be accepted. If a student receives a grade of ‘C’ in more than six (6) semester hours he or she will be dismissed from the program.
- Any grade below ‘C’ will not be accepted and will result in exclusion from further study.
- Degree candidates must pass a written comprehensive examination.
- Degree candidates must complete the online graduation application by the appropriate date.
Dispositions
To complete the MASE program at Benedictine College, all candidates must demonstrate appropriate “dispositions” for working as practicing teachers. This term means the values and professional ethics the graduate student brings to the classroom role as teacher and as a graduate student. We are required by the State of Kansas to evaluate candidates on their dispositions. The dispositions we expect candidates to demonstrate may be summarized in the phrase, “Professionally Responsible Builders of Community.” These are divided into two areas: 1) “Professional Responsibilities” and 2) “Building Community.” Dispositions are reviewed each semester and are scored at each of the three (3) benchmark points in the program. If a supervising mentor, teacher, principal, or faculty member has serious concerns about a candidate’s professional dispositions, a meeting will be held with the candidate, Program Director, and Chair. A plan for improvement will be made and a timeline for re-evaluation will be set. Failure to meet the tenets of the plan in a timely and professional manner may lead to the dismissal from the program.
