Graduate Degrees
Exceptional Student Education: Master of Education
The graduate program in Exceptional Student Education prepares graduate students for positions as professional clinical practitioners who work with exceptional individuals. The majority of these clinical practitioners become teachers in self-contained classes or resource rooms while others serve in positions such as consulting teacher, behavior analyst, parent-infant specialist or sign language interpreter. Practitioners may serve individuals with special needs ranging in age from preschool through adulthood. Additionally they may work with the families of individuals with special needs.
American Sign Language (ASL)/English Interpreting: Master of Science
Admission to the Program
Admission into the graduate programs requires a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0. In addition, scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) are required. Students not meeting minimum criteria for admission may be considered for admission under the UNF/College exceptions policy. The program makes special provisions for admitting students with disabilities. Admission also requires the submission of three letters of recommendation. During the application process, inquiries concerning the status of your application should be directed to either The Graduate School or the Office of Academic Advising. See each degree area for more specific information.
Majors in special education consist of a minimum of 36 credits of graduate study. The initial certification Master's degree program requires additional credit hours. An individually designed program of study for each student is developed by the student in collaboration with his or her faculty advisor.
Note: All applications, transcripts, test scores, and supporting documents must be sent directly to The Graduate School, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224.
Graduate Concentrations
The graduate Exceptional Student Education program offers multiple concentrations. One track is for students working toward state certification in Exceptional Student Education. This track is ESOL endorsed. The second option is a concentration in Disability Services designed for students interested in serving individuals with disabilities in general education classes or non-school settings. This course of study allows individuals to pursue graduate study in special education and in various cognate areas, but does not lead to certification. The ASL/English Interpreting program has two concentrations. Both concentrations are available to Deaf interpreters, and are offered online. The General Practitioner concentration (a) is designed to meet the needs of students who aspire to national certification or, (b) certified interpreters who seek to increase their specialized interpreting skill sets and knowledge bases. The Pedagogy concentration is designed to prepare interpreters to teach the interpreting process in colleges and universities.
Exceptional Special Education
ASL/English Interpreting
Certification
The Exceptional Student Education program is approved by the Florida Department of Education for initial certification. The ASL/English Interpreting programs are committed to upholding the 2014 accreditation standards formulated by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE). The College of Education and Human Services is accredited by the National Council on Accreditation in Teacher Education (NCATE).
All students enrolled in College of Education and Human Services courses that require a field or clinical component and/or are taught at a school site are mandated by state law to be fingerprinted and cleared prior to being permitted on elementary and secondary school campuses. Students should be aware that noncompliance with fingerprinting requirements will result in the inability to complete course requirements. Contact the Office of Educational Field Experiences, (904) 620-3934, for information regarding fingerprinting procedures.
Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education, with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is designed to prepare professionals to deliver ABA services to individuals with exceptionalities.
The program consists of 36 semester hours that include prerequisites, core and major requirements, and electives.
Students in the ABA concentration will complete course work in a Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) ® Verified Course Sequence.
These courses satisfy the coursework requirement component of becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). In 2016, UNF's percentage of first-time test takers that passed the board examination was higher than the national average.
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Non-degree seeking students (i.e., those that wish to complete the VCS coursework, but do not wish to complete the M.Ed.) may complete the Applied Behavior Analysis coursework within our Graduate Certificate Program.
What is Applied Behavior Analysis?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the science devoted to the understanding and improvement of human behavior. ABA has a specific focus on changing socially-significant behaviors; that is, things that are important for individual success.
To gain more information about the fields of application in ABA, visit the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies website.
Careers in ABA are growing. According to a survey conducted by the Association for Professional Behavior Analysis in 2014, the modal annual income for a masters-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) ranges between $65,000 and $75,000. To learn more about the credentialing process and career opportunities, visit:
Certification Information
Completion of the ABA Concentration M.Ed. makes graduates eligible for Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), with completion of:
- A Master's degree in Behavior Analysis, Education, or Psychology, with course content covering the 4th Edition Task List (Links to PDF.)
- Supervised Experience Hours
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification examination, with a passing score
University of North Florida's M.Ed. ABA Concentration offers an Intensive Practicum experience that may be taken as elective courses. The Intensive Practicum provides Supervised Experience Hours that may be used towards satisfying certification requirements.
Admissions to the Program
Initial application review deadline for Fall admission: March 31st. Final Application review deadline for Fall admission: August 1st. Preference will be given to applications submitted by the March 31st deadline.Those entering the College of Education and Human Services must meet Graduate School admissions requirements as well as specific COEHS admissions criteria.
1. Official transcripts from all attended institutions
2. Three current professional letters on official letter head (if applicable) with an original signature (electronic signatures are not acceptable). Letters from relatives will not be accepted. The letters should indicate:
- Applicant's academic background.
- Applicant's aptitude for graduate work.
- Applicant's capabilities for future performance an scholarship.
- At least one letter from a college/university professor is preferred.
3. Written statement of 500-1000 words that includes the following information:
- Reasons for seeking admission into the M.Ed. in Special Education program
- Professional goals
- How the program will help attain goals
4. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for admissions must apply under the college's exception policy.
NOTE:
- A minimum of 6 credit hours to be selected by the student in consultation with the program sponsor. Select from EED /EEX/ EGI/ EHD/ ELD/ EMR/ SPA/ EDG/ EDF/ EME/ TSL/ SDS/ MHS/ EDA/ EDS.
- A student may receive credit for a course only once. However, the GPA will reflect all repeated courses.
- No more than 10 semester hours can be completed before a student is fully admitted, including a maximum of 6 semester hours of approved credits from another institution.
- An approved dual/concurrent enrollment form is required prior to registering for courses at another institution.
- Students are strongly advised not to enroll in courses at another institution during their last semester at UNF.
- Graduation will most likely be delayed for students who attempt dual enrollment in their last semester.
Exceptional Student Education Program
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education, with the focus on Initial Certification for Exceptional Student Education, is designed to meet the needs of students who are interested in obtaining their initial Florida Certification in Special Education. The program consists of 75 semester hours that include prerequisites, core and major requirements. The amount of prerequisite course work will depend on the individual students educational background and ranges from 18 to 32 hours. The program is approved by the Florida Department of Education.
Admissions to the Program
Fall admit ONLY
Those entering the College of Education and Human Services must meet Graduate School admissions requirements as well as specific COEHS admissions criteria.
1. Official transcripts from all attended institutions
2. Three current professional letters on official letter head (if applicable) with an original signature (electronic signatures are not acceptable). Letters from relatives will not be accepted. The letters should indicate:
- Applicant's academic background.
- Applicant's aptitude for graduate work.
- Applicant's capabilities for future performance an scholarship.
- At least one letter from a college/university professor is preferred.
3. Written statement of 500-1000 words that includes the following information:
- Reasons for seeking admission into the M.Ed. in Special Education program
- Professional goals
- How the program will help attain goals
4. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for admissions must apply under the college's exception policy.
Two years of current teaching experience is required, or must complete clinical requirement. If clinical requirement is satisfied by teaching experience, additional course work must be taken to satifsfy degree requirements.
NOTE:
- No more than 10 semester hours can be completed before a student is fully admitted, including a maximum of 6 semester hours of approved transfer credits from another institution.
- A student may receive credit for a course only once. However, the GPA will reflect all repeated courses.
- The College of Education and Human Services is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.
- Graduation will most likely be delayed for students who attempt dual enrollment in their last semester.
- Student must apply for the graduate practicum (EEX 6841) during the term prior to graduation.
- Passing all parts of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam is required for the teacher certification endorsement to be included on transcripts to complete internship and be eligible for graduation.
- An approved dual/concurrent enrollment form is required prior to registering for courses at another institution.
- Students are strongly advised not to enroll in courses at another institution during their last semester at UNF.
Disability Services Program
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education, with the focus on Disability Services, is designed to meet the needs of professionals who serve individuals with disabilities in general education and non-school settings. The program consists of 36 semester hours that includes core and major requirements. This program does not carry any additional endorsements.
Admissions to the Program
Fall admit ONLY
Those entering the College of Education and Human Services must meet Graduate School admissions requirements as well as specific COEHS admissions criteria.
1. Official transcripts from all attended institutions 2. Three current professional letters on official letter head (if applicable) with an original signature (electronic signatures are not acceptable). Letters from relatives will not be accepted. The letters should indicate:
- Applicant's academic background.
- Applicant's aptitude for graduate work.
- Applicant's capabilities for future performance an scholarship.
- At least one letter from a college/university professor is preferred.
3. Written statement of 500-1000 words that includes the following information:
- Reasons for seeking admission into the M.Ed. in Special Education program
- Professional goals
- How the program will help attain goals
4. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for admissions must apply under the college's exception policy.
NOTE:
- No more than 10 semester hours can be completed before a student is fully admitted, including a maximum of 6 semester hours of approved transfer credits from another institution.
- A student may receive credit for a course only once. However, the GPA will reflect all repeated courses.
- An approved dual/concurrent enrollment form is required prior to registering for courses at another institution.
- Students are strongly advised not to enroll in courses at another institution during their last semester at UNF.
- Graduation will most likely be delayed for students who attempt dual enrollment in their last semester.
