A program of study for individuals who already hold a professional teaching license or those wishing to work with individuals with exceptionalities in areas other than teaching. Candidates will be prepared for advanced positions in exceptional education, such as department chair, program specialist, RTI specialist, behavior specialist, or instructional coach. Candidates may choose to pursue a certificate in autism or an endorsement in Gifted Education.The M.Ed. is, at minimum, a 30 credit hour program with 13-16 core credit hours. College of Education and Exceptional Education courses comprise the core courses. The remaining credits are split between a selected concentration and electives that meet specific individual needs and career objectives. The M.Ed. includes field experiences integrated into courses, which may occur as a formal placement by the university or as a result of supervised employment. All candidates complete a final portfolio OR an action research project, which serves as their comprehensive assessment.