| Total credits | Estimated resident cost | Estimated Washington border cost | Estimated non-resident cost |
|---|
| Master's + License - 73 | $45,347 | $49,349 | $63,410 |
| License-only - 64 | $35,482 | $43,838 | $56,180 |
Program cost estimates are based on 2025/26 PSU tuition and fees only. This chart is provided to help you estimate the minimum tuition and fees for program completion. Additional fees may apply depending on the course of study that you choose to pursue and the specific courses for which you enroll, so you may also find it useful to review detailed tuition and fee information and the full cost of attendance for PSU programs. Financial aid and scholarship options may be available to offset program costs. Visit COE Scholarships for specific details on how to qualify and apply. |
Curriculum
The Special Education Licensure program prepares aspiring special educators with the pedagogical and practical skills needed to effectively teach, support, and advocate for students with a wide range of disabilities while fulfilling Oregon’s licensure requirements. The curriculum provides a foundational understanding of special education, a comprehensive overview of state and federal regulations, and proven methods for creating effective instructional environments. Students will learn approaches for student advocacy, family collaboration, academic supports and transition planning. They will learn evidence-based strategies and behavior analysis to design individualized supports for students with disabilities and promote access to the general curriculum. Three practica allow students to move from theory to practice, gaining vital hands-on and observational experience to ensure successful and effective student teaching.
Course descriptions
For full course descriptions, please consult the Bulletin or Class Schedule.
Program format
Modality
In-Person: This program is held in person with classes held on-campus.
Part-time
Time to completion: Two years
Scheduling
Evening: Classes are held primarily in the later afternoon and evening; this schedule does not apply to the summer term. Summer term will have day classes. Experiential learning in the second year requires daytime hours as well.
Weekly Estimated Time Commitment
The PSU Credit Hour Policy defines 1 credit hour as requiring a minimum of 3 hours of student time per week over the course of the term. PSU operates on the quarter system, and terms last 10 weeks.
Graduate school is a big commitment; please consider this information as a starting tool to help you gain a sense of the time commitment. Students learn differently and you may find that it takes you more time to complete the coursework on a weekly basis. Generally, a graduate program is more intensive and should require more time on homework than undergraduate courses; therefore, we recommend planning for more time than the minimum.
Students in the program generally take 6–7 credits during fall, winter and spring of the first year and should expect to spend at least 12–14 hours per week outside of classroom time on homework and related activities. The remaining terms, students generally take 10 credits per term and can expect to spend at least 20 hours per week on homework and related activities.
As the program progresses, students engage in experiential learning through internships, which take additional time to complete. Generally, internships require 30 hours per week.
Program of Study
Cohort: This program operates as a cohort model, meaning that students follow a set program of study with a group of peers, learning together and providing a peer-support network. The program of study below outlines these classes term-by-term.
| Year 1 | CR |
|---|
| Summer |
| SPED 511 Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 515 Legal and Ethical Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 516 Classroom Assessment, Instruction, and Behavior Management | 4 |
| Fall |
| SPED 548 Positive Behavior Support in the Classroom | 3 |
| SPED 537 Reading Assessment and Instruction (Elementary) | 4 |
| Winter |
| SPED 522 Comprehensive Individualized Assessment and Curriculum 1 | 3 |
| SPED 526 IEP & Collaborative Teaming | 3 |
| Spring |
| SPED 523 Comprehensive Individualized Assessment and Curriculum 2 | 3 |
| SPED 533 Math Assessment and Instruction | 3 |
| Year 2 | CR |
| Summer |
| SPED 430 Families and Advocacy | 3 |
| SPED 509 Professional Introduction to the School Year | 3 |
| SPED 532 Inclusive Practices | 2 |
| Optional SPED 596 Research in Special Education | 3 |
| Fall |
| SPED 538 Reading Assessment & Instruction (Secondary) | 4 |
| SPED 509 Professional Practices Practicum Seminar 1 | 3 |
| Optional SPED 597 Issues and Practices in Special Education | 3 |
| Winter |
| SPED 512 Diagnostic Assessment | 4 |
| SPED 509 Professional Practices Practicum Seminar 2 | 3 |
| Optional SPED 506 Special Project | 3 |
| Spring |
| SPED 525 Student Teaching | 12 |
| SPED 507 Student Teaching Seminar | 1 |
| Total Program Credits | 64-73 |