Special Education University of Oklahoma

Overview

The Special Education programme at the University of Oklahoma provides a comprehensive curriculum designed to integrate advanced theoretical research with practical classroom applications. This Master of Education degree prepares graduate students to support individuals with diverse learning needs across various professional environments.

Students can choose from three distinct emphasis areas to tailor their studies to specific career goals. These concentrations include Fundamentals of Special Education, Secondary Transition, and Applied Behavior Analysis, ensuring a specialised approach to professional development.

The curriculum is delivered through flexible formats, including 100% distance learning or blended options that combine face-to-face meetings with virtual technology.

Why Special Education at the University of Oklahoma?

The University of Oklahoma maintains a nationally recognised transition sequence through the Council for Exceptional Children Division for Career Development and Transition. This prestigious recognition ensures that the curriculum meets the highest standards of quality and relevance in the field.

Furthermore, the Applied Behavior Analysis course sequence is verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International. This designation confirms that the coursework provides the necessary academic foundation for students preparing for fieldwork and professional board examinations.

The programme is supported by the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, which offers access to specialised centres such as the Zarrow Institute and the Oklahoma Center for Education Policy. These facilities provide students with unique opportunities to engage with contemporary research and advocacy.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 22273 per year
• National fee: USD 11128 per year
• Local fee: USD 3938 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum consists of core requirements and elective modules tailored to the chosen emphasis area. Modules may include:

• Applied Behavior Analysis in School Settings
• Collaboration, Accommodations & Modifications
• Advanced Assessment
• Contemporary Issues/Research
• Special Education Instructional Methods and Programs
• Research and Evaluation in Education
• Single Case Research Design
• Education of Exceptional Children
• Transition and Self-Determination
• Issues & Strategies in a Functional Curriculum
• Postsecondary Education and Employment
• Transition-Based Assessment
• Transition Practicum
• Direct Practice with Diverse Students, Disabilities, Families
• Philosophical Assumptions of Behavior Analysis
• Principles and Concepts in Applied Behavior Analysis
• Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis
• Personnel Supervision and Management in Applied Behavioral Analysis
• Behavior Change in Applied Behavioral Analysis
• Behavior Assessment in Applied Behavioral Analysis

Careers with Special Education

Graduates from the University of Oklahoma are prepared for diverse roles within the education and healthcare sectors. Many alumni secure positions as special education teachers, transition specialists, or board-certified behavior analysts in school districts and private practices.

The programme also equips students for leadership roles, including special education administrators and state agency officers. Additionally, graduates find opportunities as educators within hospital facilities or as specialists in disability advocacy organisations and community support services.