Academic Behavioral Strategist

‌Educators who are Academic Behavioral Strategists (ABS) evaluate and specially design instruction for children and youth from kindergarten through age 21. They work to assist children and youth with mild to moderate needs in the areas of academics, behavior, social, emotional, communication and functional performance. These students come from the primary disability areas of autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, emotional behavioral disorders, other health disabilities and learning disabilities.

Join us soon for an online information session to learn more about all the ways you can pursue a Special Education licensure or degree!

What you can earn

License
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Undergraduate Exceptionalities Minor

Where you will learn

Minneapolis campus
Metro Locations
Online

When to start

Courses are offered year-round.

Coursework

	License & M.A.
Credits	License: New Teachers: 40-44 \| Current Teachers: 23-27 M.A.: New Teachers: 46-47 \| Current Teachers: 30
Required Courses	For the License: SPED 750 Fundamentals of Special Education: Exceptionality, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion SPED 785 Applied Behavior Analysis: Behavioral Interventions and Learning Environments SPED 714 Professional Practice: Collaboration, Co-teaching and Educational Technology SPED 716 Fundamentals: Students with Mild to Moderate Needs SPED 645 Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Individualized Planning for Diverse Learners SPED 717 Elementary Academic Interventions and Literacy SPED 718 Secondary Academic Interventions and Transitions SPED 719 Social, Emotional and Behavioral Interventions SPED 720 Clinical Practice: Academic and Behavior Strategist For the M.A. (add the following): CIED 500 Principles of Educational Research SPED xxx Elective (as needed) New Teachers: Add Standards of Effective Practice Coursework Full course catalog with descriptions
Schedule	Find current course offerings

License & M.A.

Credits

License: New Teachers: 40-44 | Current Teachers: 23-27

M.A.: New Teachers: 46-47 | Current Teachers: 30

Required
Courses

For the License:

SPED 750   Fundamentals of Special Education: Exceptionality, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
SPED 785   Applied Behavior Analysis: Behavioral Interventions and Learning Environments
SPED 714   Professional Practice: Collaboration, Co-teaching and Educational Technology
SPED 716   Fundamentals: Students with Mild to Moderate Needs
SPED 645   Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Individualized Planning for Diverse Learners
SPED 717   Elementary Academic Interventions and Literacy
SPED 718   Secondary Academic Interventions and Transitions
SPED 719   Social, Emotional and Behavioral Interventions
SPED 720   Clinical Practice: Academic and Behavior Strategist

For the M.A. (add the following):

CIED 500 Principles of Educational Research
SPED xxx Elective (as needed)

New Teachers: Add Standards of Effective Practice Coursework

Full course catalog with descriptions

Schedule

Find current course offerings

How to Apply

Candidates for this degree have:
- A Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited institution
- A cumulative minimum undergraduate G.P.A. of 3.0 (4.0 scale). If below 3.0, please reference our special admissions policy.
Submit the following application materials:
- Application form
- Two positive letters of reference from non-related individuals
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work (unless that work was completed at the University of St. Thomas)
  - Submit transcripts to: Graduate Admissions, University of St. Thomas, Box 5, 1000 LaSalle Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403
- Personal statement.
Submit the supplementary materials:
- Initial Licensure: MTLE Basic Skills required by the end of an initial teacher licensure candidate's first semester of coursework.
- Official test score
- International Applicants:
1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) required for any candidate whose primary language is not English.
2. Transcript Review: All international transcripts must be reviewed by an accredited evaluation service to determine U.S. equivalency of the degree awarded and the institution awarding the degree. Applications will not be reviewed for admissions until the official review is submitted.

Special Opportunities

Ongoing Professional Development

The Department of Special Education and Gifted Education offers a wide variety of professional development opportunities throughout the year. Whether networking with leaders in the field at the annual Education for Everyone Event series or simply catching up on the latest tools and techniques, the School of Education provides lifelong learning opportunities. Most events include a CEU component. In addition to annual events, the department offers specialized summer institutes in the areas of Autism Specrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities.

Mentored Clinical Practice

The dedicated faculty in the Special Education and Gifted Education programs will work with you to ensure that your clinical practice experience (student teaching) will meet your needs and facilitate your growth, both personally and professionally. Throughout your time student teaching, regularly scheduled seminars with faculty and peers offer the opportunity to form a strong professional network as you prepare to enter the field and have a positive impact on K-12 students.

Community Partnerships

The School of Education takes pride in engaging in innovative partnerships with a variety of organizations. Students in the School of Education will find many opportunities for professional growth as a result of working with these organizations. Partnership examples include the Northwest Suburban Integration District, FAIR School and the Collaborative Urban Educators program.