Master of Education in:
Master of Science in:
Master of Education in Reading
The focus of the Reading Program at the University of Central Oklahoma is to train Reading Specialists to function in the areas of early childhood, elementary, secondary and adult education. The program is currently operating in the department of Special Services, in the College of Education. Graduates from the program will have competencies in literacy, reading diagnostics and remedial techniques at all four levels, and will be able to serve in both clinical and classroom settings. They will function as a resource for the classroom teacher, as well as the special education teacher and will be prepared to take leadership roles in the development of reading programs.
The University of Central Oklahoma perceives its role as unique. By virtue of its location, it serves a coeducational, multi-racial, multi-ethnic population. It is the mission of the Reading Program to address the needs of teachers and children who come from such socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds an to maintain a symbiotic relationship with the community in which both children and future teachers may profit. It is the function of the program to be a viable source of clinical and diagnostic expertise for children with reading disabilities and to train teachers who are prized for their theoretical knowledge and their ability to teach children of all backgrounds and abilities. The program is designed to help create a literate people, its benefits manifest in quality ideas, improved technology and in a more humane society.
The philosophy of the Reading Program at the University of Central Oklahoma asserts that reading is a dynamic process, which is impacted by a myriad of social and learning variables. The program contends that research in reading and related disciplines should direct methodology rather than the reverse, and that no current methodology in itself is sufficient to address the complexity of the reading process. It further posits that there is a reciprocal relationship between the reader and the material read, making each reader and reading potentially unique. The theoretical framework for the dynamic process and the reciprocal relationship between the reader and the material read is founded in learning and cognitive research established by methods of scientific inquiry. Such a philosophy requires constant assessment and adjustments in methodology and remediation techniques. Such a philosophy considers it of paramount importance that its students understand the process, make decisions based on the process, and teach to the child's needs rather than to their own.
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Master of Education in Special Education Program
Special Education is a challenging and rewarding career for anyone who is willing to work hard and wants to make a difference in the lives of others. The faculty and staff in the Special Education Program take pride in offering excellent, student-centered programs at the Bachelors and Masters level. All of our programs are fully accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
The mission of the Special Education program is to prepare highly skilled teachers as well as to provide leadership to the field of Special Education at local, state, national and international levels for the purpose of assisting individuals with disabilities in acquiring greater independence in an increasingly diverse and technological, global community. Philosophically, research-based theory and practices are the foundations of our teacher-training program. The Special Education program is committed to the preparation of personnel who celebrate and foster Inclusion, Diversity, and Multiculturalism.
Undergraduate and graduate programs are organized around two sequences of study that lead to one or more areas of Special Education teacher certification in the state of Oklahoma. Special Education degree programs at UCO offer teacher certification in the areas of Mild-Moderate Disabilities and/or Severs-Profound/Multiple Disabilities.
UCO values new, transfer and graduate students. In each of our Special Education specializations, traditional lecture and field-based courses provide many opportunities for students to work with children in both traditional and non-traditional school settings. Under the guidance and direction of UCO faculty, course work emphasizes the most up-to-date knowledge in the field of special education. The Special Education program courses are among the most highly rated in the state. For those who qualify, limited scholarships may be available at the undergraduate and graduate level. The placement rate of our graduates has exceeded 95% over the past five years.
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Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program
UCO's Speech-Language Pathology program consists of an undergraduate component followed by a two-year graduate component. After coursework in the normal process of human communication and its disorders, students apply this information in supervised clinical practicum.
The undergraduate pre-professional program consists of the General Education component, several Professional Teacher Education courses, major courses in Speech-Language Pathology, and Related Electives drawn from areas such as Special Education, Early Childhood, Family Relations, Child Development, and Psychology. The graduate degree component is designed to complement the undergraduate component and to complete the requirements for state and national level credentials. Graduate courses are generally available in the daytime, late afternoon, evening and in summer sessions. This allows for maximum flexibility for clinical practicum experiences.
In addition to the preparatory coursework, clinical practicum at UCO includes a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised experience working with preschool children, school-age children, and adults. In addition to on-campus practicum experiences at the UCO Speech and Hearing Clinic and the Oklahoma School for the Deaf Edmond Regional Preschool, students at the graduate level are eventually assigned to off-campus multidisciplinary experiences in public schools and medical facilities.
Overall, courses of increasing depth and complexity are programmed to prepare students for more demanding experiences and settings as they progress. Ultimately, the UCO Speech-Language Pathology program is designed to integrate academic understanding of foundational concepts and technical principles with practical application in varied settings.
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Graduate Programs
