Special Education
Graduate College of Education
Dean: Dr. Cynthia Grutzik
Department of Special Education
Burk Hall, Room 156
Phone: (415) 338-1161
Email: sped@sfsu.edu
Website: sped.sfsu.edu
Chair: Dr. Amber Friesen
Advisors: Program faculty in the Department of Special Education
Mission
The mission of the Department of Special Education is to prepare leaders and professionals (e.g., educators, related service providers) to support inclusive educational and social participation of individuals with disabilities in collaboration with their families, schools, and communities. The Department of Special Education is strongly committed to human rights, social justice, and equal access for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan.
Program Scope and Career Outlook
The Master's degree and credential programs in the Department of Special Education include professional preparation in special education. The programs include preparation for specialists who may work in early intervention settings, schools, rehabilitation settings, or community agencies with individuals with disabilities. Resources of general education, psychology, counseling, and other human service related fields are utilized.
Minor in Special Education
The Minor in Special Education provides undergraduate students with an overview of the field of special education. An interdisciplinary program of required and elective courses ensures that students are exposed to a variety of courses pertaining to disability, inclusion, and social justice in our society. Competencies attained by students completing this minor have both a theoretical and practical nature and stimulate student interest in careers serving individuals with disabilities and their families.
Master of Arts in Special Education
The Master of Arts in Special Education is an individually designed program. This degree emphasizes research and leadership skills within a select program of study. The degree prepares individuals for employment in education in public and private agencies serving people with disabilities and in other related human service fields. Program areas within the department provide students with an opportunity to learn from and participate in on-going research, demonstration, training, and projects conducted by faculty. Program areas include autism spectrum, early childhood special education, mild to moderate support needs, extensive support needs, orientation and mobility, and visual impairment.
Special Education Graduate Certificates
Certificate in the Autism Spectrum
This graduate-level certificate offers a specialized program of study for professionals seeking to gain expertise in supporting the unique needs of learners on the autism spectrum in diverse settings. Through participation in coursework that includes embedded field experiences, candidates will acquire applied knowledge of current theory, research, and practice to guide them in working with individuals on the autism spectrum from early childhood to adulthood. The certificate is designed for current graduate students or post-graduate professionals from a variety of disciplines. Candidates may include educators, therapists, advocates, family members, adults who identify on the autism spectrum, and others from a variety of fields and backgrounds.
Certificate in Inclusive Early Childhood Practices
The Certificate in Inclusive Early Childhood Practices offers an opportunity for students enrolled in professional programs or practicing professionals in education to pursue additional training in working with young children with special needs (from birth to five years) and their families. Further, the trans-disciplinary approach to this training makes the program equally valuable for related professionals, such as physical and occupational therapists, speech therapists, nurses, psychologists, and social workers.
Doctor of Philosophy in Education: Concentration in Special Education
Graduate study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree with a concentration in Special Education is offered jointly with the University of California, Berkeley.
The program provides preparation for people interested in a leadership role in research, policy, advocacy, curriculum development, administration and supervision, and teacher education. Check with the department for specific application procedures for each campus:
Email: sped@sfsu.edu
Website: https://sped.sfsu.edu/content/joint-doctorate
Admission to Graduate Programs and Certificates
The following two sections provide a general introduction to admission requirements and Written English Proficiency requirements for graduate programs in the Department of Special Education. Details regarding the joint doctoral program appear in the section titled "Education Doctoral Studies."
A minimum 3.0 GPA is required for admission to certificates and the master’s degree in special education. Application requirements are available from the Department of Special Education: email: sped@sfsu.edu and website: sped.sfsu.edu.
Certificate applicants must first be eligible in accordance with all university requirements as outlined in the Certificate Programs section of this Bulletin. This same section includes university program guidelines and procedures to be followed in filing for the award of the certificate when it is completed.
The following University requirements apply to graduates in the Master of Arts in Special Education.
Written English Proficiency Requirement
Each graduate student must demonstrate the ability to write English correctly and effectively at the graduate level. To assure that each graduate student has the required proficiency in written English, two distinct assessments are made by the major department: Level One and Level Two.
Level One
Applicants will be required to submit evidence of one of the following as part of their application for admission to the MA in Special Education:
- A score of at least 3.5/6.0 on the GRE Analytical Writing Test or GMAT Analytic Writing Assessment.
- A score of at least 4.5/6.0 on the essay test of the paper-based [PBT] TOEFL (a minimum score of 24/30 on the Writing section of the Internet-based test [iBT] TOEFL)[International applicants only].
- A score of at least 6.5/9.0 on the IELTS writing test, or a concordant score on the Pearson Test of English.
- Passing status score of at least 220 on the CSET Writing Skills Test. (CBEST Writing does not fulfill this requirement.)
Applicants who do not meet this requirement may be denied admission. If all other areas of the application are strong, a faculty member may choose to file a petition with Graduate Admissions to request a conditional admission. If conditional admission is granted, the student will need to pass one of the tests listed above in the first semester of admission.
Level Two
Master of Arts in Special Education
Students will be required to complete one of the following options of the approved culminating experience, following advancement to candidacy. Note: Options II and III are by selection process only with an approved proposal (see program advisor).
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Option I | 6 | |
Culminating Experience Examination | ||
Two elective graduate seminars (6 units), which will reflect critical analysis of literature and application of research. 1 | ||
Option II | 6 | |
Creative Work Project in Special Education | ||
An elective graduate seminar (3 units), which will reflect critical analysis of literature and application of research. 1 | ||
Option III | 6 | |
Advanced Research Seminar in Special Education | ||
Master's Thesis | ||
or SPED 895 | Field Study: Special Education |
- 1
One elective seminar must be outside of the student's program area; can include SPED 881 Advanced Research Seminar in Special Education
Continuing Enrollment Requirement for MA in Special Education
If a student enrolls in one of the Culminating Experience courses, such as SPED 898, SPED 895, or SPED 894 to complete their masters degree, and does not finish his or her study by the end of the semester, or by the following semester (grace semester), he or she will be required to enroll in at least one course during each successive semester until completion of the culminating experience and a grade is entered by the committee chair.
Following a grace semester, if there is a break in enrollment before the culminating experience is completed, the student upon return will be required to retroactively enroll for semesters in between and must continuously enroll every semester thereafter until completed.
If a student is completing the master’s comprehensive written examination during the semester of graduation and has completed all degree requirements, they also need to enroll in at least one course.
Students in one of the above situations can enroll in the following low-cost course available to meet this Continuous Enrollment Requirement:
- EDUC 499 College of Professional & Global Education
- Registration is online by visiting webapps.sfsu.edu/public/classservices/classsearch and accessing the Extended Learning Class schedule, locate EDUC 499 and proceed with enrollment.
- Graduate Studies Policy on the Continuous Enrollment
If a student is completing the master’s comprehensive written examination during the semester of graduation and has completed all degree requirements, he or she also will be required to enroll in at least one course.
Students can meet this requirement by enrolling in EDUC 499 through the College of Professional & Global Education.
Professor
Yvonne N. Bui (2014), Professor in Special Education. Ph.D. University of Kansas.
Sandra J. Rosen (1994), Professor in Special Education. Ph.D. Vanderbilt University.
Gloria Soto (1996), Professor in Special Education. Ph.D. Purdue University.
Pamela Wolfberg (2003), Professor in Special Education. Ph.D. San Francisco State University with University of California, Berkeley.
Associate Professor
Amber Friesen (2012), Associate Professor in Special Education. Ph.D. Indiana University.
Tsai-Hsing Hsia (1995), Associate Professor in Special Education. Ph.D. University of Oregon.
Kathleen Mortier (2015), Associate Professor in Special Education. Ph.D. Ghent University, Ghent.
Yue-Ting Siu (2016), Associate Professor in Special Education. Ph.D. University of California at Berkeley.
Assistant Professor
Mayumi Hagiwara (2020), Assistant Professor in Special Education. Ph.D. University of Kansas.
Maryssa Kucskar Mitsch (2017), Assistant Professor in Special Education. Ph.D. University of Nevada.
Mary Requa (2017), Assistant Professor in Special Education. Ph.D. University of California at Berkeley.
Credentials
- Education Specialist Credentials: Special Education
- Visual Impairment Credential
- Education Specialist Added Authorization in Orthopedic Impairments
- Orientation & Mobility Credential
- Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential
- Education Specialist Intern Credential
- Extensive Support Needs Credential
- Early Childhood Special Education Credential
Special Education Courses (SPED)
SPED 230 Critical Issues in Special Education: Debunking Myths and Stereotypes (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: GE Area A2*.
Course Attributes:
- E: Lifelong Learning Develop
SPED 310 Exploring Visual Impairments (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-D: Social Sciences
- Social Justice
- Global Perspectives
SPED 330 Introduction to Disability (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Social Justice
- UD-D: Social Sciences
SPED 370 Young Children Disabled or At Risk and Their Families (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-D: Social Sciences
- Social Justice
SPED 601 Observation and Participation in Special Education (Units: 1-3)
Prerequisite: Admission to special education credential program.
SPED 620 The Science of Early Intervention (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-B: Physical Life Science
- Environmental Sustainability
- Social Justice
SPED 630 Inclusive Education: Empowerment and Equity in Diverse Schools (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Global Perspectives
- UD-D: Social Sciences
- Social Justice
SPED 655 Basic Orientation and Mobility for Learners with Visual Impairments (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Upper-division or graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
- Social Justice
SPED 662 Education of Deaf/Hard of Hearing Children (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Global Perspectives
- Social Justice
SPED 671 Positive Behavior Support for Young Children (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Social Justice
SPED 672 Inclusive Learning Environments for Young Children (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-D: Social Sciences
- Social Justice
SPED 675 Working with Families of Young Children with Disabilities (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Social Justice
- UD-D: Social Sciences
SPED 688 American Sign Language I (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-D: Social Sciences
SPED 689 American Sign Language II (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: SPED 688.
Course Attributes:
- Social Justice
SPED 691 Autism in the Contemporary World (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
SPED 701 Education Specialist Intern Teacher Support Seminar (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
SPED 723 Workshop: Student Teaching Support Sessions for Extensive Support Needs or Visual Impairments (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Approved Credential Approved Program (CAP); verification of eligibility by the department; concurrent enrollment in SPED 730.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 726 Workshop: Student Teaching Support Sessions for Mild/Moderate Support Needs or Orientation Mobility (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Approved Credential Approved Program (CAP); verification of eligibility by the department; concurrent enrollment in SPED 730.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 729 Student Teaching Workshop: Early Childhood Special Education (Unit: 1)
Prerequisites: Permission of the program or instructor; must be taken concurrently with SPED 730 or SPED 731.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 730 Student Teaching: Special Education (Units: 9)
Prerequisites: Completion of advanced curriculum or permission of the adviser; concurrent enrollment in SPED 723 or SPED 726 or SPED 729 in the credential area. Must have met subject matter competency and basic skills requirement and admission in the Special Education credential program.
Students who receive a grade of NC twice will be subject to declassification from the credential program.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 731 Special Education Field Experience (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Completion of advanced curriculum or permission of an adviser; must have met basic skills and subject matter competency requirement and admitted into the Special Education credential program. Concurrent enrollment in SPED 723, SPED 726, or SPED 729 in the credential area may be required.
Students who receive a grade of NC twice will be subject to declassification from the credential program.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 735 Technology for Blind and Low Vision Students (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: SPED 749 or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 737 Inclusive Learning and Supports in Early Intervention (Infants & Toddlers) (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 738 Inclusive Curriculum Development and Supports in Early Childhood Settings (Preschool - Kindergarten) (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 743 Issues in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 745 Environmental Design for Students with Extensive Support Needs (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in SPED 773 and SPED 701.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 746 Teaching Individuals with Physical and Other Health Impairments (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: SPED 747 or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 747 Physical Disabilities and Sensory Impairments (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or Education Specialist Credential students or SF Scholar students or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 749 Medical, Educational, and Rehabilitative Implications of Visual Impairment (Units: 4)
Prerequisite: SPED 655 or SPED 758 or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 750 Assessment for Learners with Visual Impairments (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: SPED 749 or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 751 Instruction for Learners with Visual Impairments (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: SPED 749 or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 752 Issues in Visual Impairment (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: SPED 749 or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 753 Living Skills Assessment and Instruction for Learners with Visual Impairments (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: SPED 749 or Special Education SF State Scholars students or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 754 Basic Communication Skills for Learners with Visual Impairments (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: SPED 749 or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 756 Orientation and Mobility Seminar (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in SPED 822 and SPED 823 or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 757 Visual Impairment: Special Populations (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: SPED 749 or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 758 Advanced Communication Skills for Learners with Visual Impairments (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: SPED 754 or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 760 Methods in Orientation and Mobility I (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: SPED 655 (may be taken concurrently); concurrent enrollment in SPED 792.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 763 Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate Special Education or School Psychology or credential students or permission of the Department Chair.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 770 Introduction to Students with Mild/Moderate Support Needs (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate Special Education and credential students or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 772 Assessment, Curriculum, and Instruction for Students with Mild/Moderate Support Needs (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate Special Education or School Psychology or credential students or permission of the Department Chair.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 773 Methods of Assessment and Instruction for Students with Extensive Support Needs (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Concurrently enrollment in SPED 745 and SPED 701.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 774 Positive Behavior Support (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 775 Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary Special Education (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: SPED 770 and SPED 772.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 777 Introduction to Disability, Development, and Equity for Young Children and Their Families (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 778 Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary Special Education (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: SPED 770 and SPED 772.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 779 Family-Centered Practices and Services for Young Children with Disabilities (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 780 Equitable Assessment Practices for Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 787 Advanced Assessment and Instruction for Students with Extensive Support Needs (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: SPED 745, SPED 773, and SPED 701; concurrent enrollment in SPED 789 and SPED 821.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 788 Law, Ethics, and Instructional Planning (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate Special Education or School Psychology or credential students or permission of the Department Chair.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 789 Advanced Environmental Design for Students with Extensive Support Needs (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: SPED 745, SPED 773, and SPED 701; concurrent enrollment in SPED 787 and SPED 821.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 791 Nature of the Autism Spectrum (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in Special Education credential or MA program or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 792 Methods in Orientation and Mobility II (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: SPED 655 (may be taken concurrently); concurrent enrollment in SPED 760.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 794 Socialization and Imagination: Autism (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: SPED 791 or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 801 Development, Diversity, and English Language Learners: Special Education (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate Special Education or School Psychology or credential students or permission of the Department Chair.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 821 Advanced Fieldwork with Students with Extensive Support Needs (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in SPED 787 and SPED 789.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 822 Methods in Orientation and Mobility III (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: SPED 655, SPED 760, SPED 792; concurrent enrollment in SPED 823.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 823 Methods in Orientation and Mobility IV (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: SPED 655, SPED 760, SPED 792; concurrent enrollment in SPED 822.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 825 Communication, Behavior and Instructional Supports: Autism (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Admission to Special Education credential or MA program or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 831 Internship in Special Education (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of the graduate adviser.
SPED 833 Educational Services for Learners with Deaf-Blindness (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate admission to Moderate-Severe Disabilities Program.
SPED 881 Advanced Research Seminar in Special Education (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Advanced standing in Master of Arts in Special Education program; ISED 797.
SPED 885 Allyship, Leadership, and Collaboration for Young Children with Disabilities (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Teacher Credential Program Crs
SPED 894 Creative Work Project in Special Education (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Consent of the graduate major advisor; approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies.
SPED 895 Field Study: Special Education (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Approval of the graduate major advisor, and approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration. (CR/NC; RP only)
SPED 896EXM Culminating Experience Examination (Units: 0-3)
Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor, committee chair, and approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration.
SPED 898 Master's Thesis (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Approval of graduate major advisor, and approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration. (CR/NC only.)
SPED 899 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
SPED 903 Research Seminar in Special Education: Program Design and Analysis (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to Joint Doctoral Special Education students.
SPED 905 University-Level Teaching & Field Supervision Internship (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to Joint Doctoral Special Education students.
SPED 907 Learning and Development: The Influence of Disabilities (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
SPED 908 Directed Study in Special Education Topics (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Admission to joint doctoral program in Special Education.
SPED 909 Current Issues Special Education Policy and Practice (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to Joint Doctoral Special Education students.
SPED 910 Advanced Topics in Special Education Research (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to Joint Doctoral Special Education students.
SPED 998 Doctoral Dissertation in Special Education (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to Joint Doctoral Special Education students and advancement to candidacy.