Master’s in high incidence disabilities practicum experience

This practicum information only applies to you if you are a student in the graduate Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) in Special Education and an emphasis on High Incidence Disabilities, taking either the Teacher Track or the Endorsement Track. If you are in one of those programs, we recommend that you bookmark this page in your browser now, so you will always have ready access to this information.

You may be asking, what is practicum and how does it work at the University of Kansas School of Education and Human Sciences? For classroom educators pursuing endorsement or a license to teach as a special educator, KU’s online programs include two required practicum experiences incorporating intensive fieldwork and direct teaching experiences. In addition to meeting requirements for supervised field experience, the practicum allows you to apply what you are learning in your online graduate program in a classroom environment, while receiving real-time feedback that makes you a more effective educator.

The practicum is an integrated component of your graduate program. Like your online courses, it is eight weeks in length, worth three credits and eligible for financial aid. To keep your experience focused and your workload manageable, you will not be enrolled in an additional online course during your eight-week practicum. Our practicum experiences provide you with an opportunity to explore some interactive technologies, enabling us to work together over the Internet. Learning online and receiving coaching over the Internet will enable you to develop skills and effectiveness as a special educator. You will be surprised at how quickly you develop a trusting relationship with your university supervisor when the technology is in place. This practicum provides you with the opportunity to apply what you have learned to serve persons with disabilities. You will receive guidance, support and feedback from a host teacher on site, and you will also use the latest online technology to demonstrate your teaching to your university supervisor.

KU’s practicum is designed to be completed within your existing school environment. You will complete five types of assignments over the eight-week practicum. One of the practicum requirements involves preparing and delivering three formal lessons plans. You will tape the lessons and upload them to an online platform EdthenaTM. Your instructor will monitor the way you engage and interact with your students and will provide real-time feedback on methods and techniques to improve your classroom effectiveness. Other informal lessons will also be observed during the eight-week course. Additionally, weekly journals, interviews and two major assignments are included. The SPED 775 syllabus will fully describe the requirements and timeline and provide a rubric for the assignments illustrated below.

Special Education Masters Practicum

IMPORTANT DATES

APR
26
Application Deadline
April 26
Summer 2024 Term
MAY
06
Next Start
May 6
Summer 2024 Term

EVENTS