Master of Special Education Program Profile
More about Master of Special Education
Program Mission
The Master of Special Education program at Dordt University prepares you to serve learners with exceptional needs in diverse educational settings, equipping you with God-centered, reflective, and responsive skills, knowledge, and dispositions for inclusive teaching, learning, and leading.
In support of this mission, the program and faculty will assist
you in:
a. Deepening a biblical understanding of exceptionality and inclusive education
b. Cultivating compassionate, reflective, and responsive practices for meeting
diverse learner needs
c. Advancing a transformational, God-honoring vision for just and inclusive
educational communities
Program Objectives
- Demonstrate knowledge of research-based practices and the scientific principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), with an emphasis on their application to assessment, data-based decision making, experimental design, effective instructional strategies, and evidence-based interventions.
- Accurately collect, measure, display, and interpret data to inform instructional planning and evaluate intervention effectiveness.
- Select, design, and implement effective behavior-change procedures and intervention strategies that are individualized, contextually appropriate, and supported by research.
- Exhibit a strong commitment to ethical, inclusive, and culturally responsive practices, consistent with Council for Exceptional Children professional standards and the BACB Professional and Ethical Compliance Code.
- Develop and demonstrate professional competencies necessary for effective collaboration, reflective practice, and leadership within diverse educational environments.
| Program Objective | ABAI Content Areas | CEC Advanced Preparation Standards | BACB 6th Edition Task List | InTASC Standards |
1. Demonstrate knowledge of research-based practices and the scientific principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), with an emphasis on their application to assessment, data-based decision making, experimental design, effective instructional strategies, and evidence-based interventions. | Applied Behavior Analysis Basic Behavior Analysis Conceptual Analysis Principles of Behavior Research Methods | 1: Assessment | A (Behaviorism & Philosophical Foundations), B (Concepts & Principles), C (Measurement, Data Display, Interpretation), D (Experimental Design), G (Behavior Change Procedures), H (Selecting and Implementing Interventions), I (Personnel Supervision and Management) | 1: Learner Development |
2. Accurately collect, measure, display, and interpret data to inform instructional planning and evaluate intervention effectiveness. | Applied Behavior Analysis
Principles of Behavior Research Methods | 1: Assessment 3: Programs, Services, and Outcomes | C (Measurement, Data Display, Interpretation | 6: Assessment 7: Planning for Instruction 9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice |
| 3. Select, design, and implement effective behavior-change procedures and intervention strategies that are individualized, contextually appropriate, and supported by research. | Applied Behavior Analysis Principles of Behavior Research Methods | 2: Curricular Content 3: Programs, Services, and Outcomes | F (Behavior Assessment), G (Behavior Change Procedures), H (Selecting and Implementing Interventions) | 2: Learning Differences 5: Application of Content 7: Planning for Instruction 8: Instructional Strategies |
| 4. Exhibit a strong commitment to ethical, inclusive, and culturally responsive practices, consistent with Council for Exceptional Children professional standards and the BACB Professional and Ethical Compliance Code. | Applied Behavior Analysis
Conceptual Analysis Ethics | 5: Professional Ethics & Practice 6: Collaboration | A (Behaviorism & Philosophical Foundations), E (Ethical Professional Issues) | 3: Learning Environments 9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice 10: Leadership and Collaboration |
| 5. Develop and demonstrate professional competencies necessary for effective collaboration, reflective practice, and leadership within diverse educational environments. | Applied Behavior Analysis Conceptual Analysis Ethics | 6: Collaboration 7: Leadership and Policy | A (Behaviorism & Philosophical Issues), E (Ethical and Professional Issues), I (Personnel Supervision and Management) | 9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice 10: Leadership and Collaboration |