Master of Arts Degree in Educational Therapy

The Master of Arts degree in Educational Therapy is designed to prepare individuals to become Educational Therapy practitioners who are specifically trained to combine educational and therapeutic approaches that address the needs of children, adolescents and adults with learning challenges. Educational therapists provide intensive services to their clients, including creating and implementing a treatment plan that utilizes information from a variety of sources including the client’s social, psychoeducational, and neuropsychological context; assisting clients’ awareness of their strengths; and using those strengths to overcome or compensate areas of weakness.  Individuals entering the field of Educational Therapy typically have a background in general or special education, child development, speech and language therapy, psychological counseling, marriage and family counseling, and advocacy.  Educational therapists provide services in private practice, public and private schools, learning centers, clinics, hospitals, public agencies, businesses and workplaces, community colleges, universities, and vocational schools.

Program Requirements

Two courses required for certification by the Association of Educational Therapists (AET) are program pre-requisites: (1) Course on Human Learning and (2) Course on Child/Adolescent Development.

1. Foundational Courses (12 units)

• SPED 400 Developmental Differences and Implications in Special Education (3)
• SPED 406 K-12 Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (3)
• SPED 511 Assessing Diverse Learners with Mild to Extensive Support Needs (3)
• SPED 503MME Curriculum and Instruction for Diverse Learners with Mild to Extensive Support Needs (3)

2. ET Core Courses (15 units)

• SPED 673 Principles of Educational Therapy for Individuals with Exceptional Needs (3)
• SPED 671 Advanced Study of Literacy Problems (3)
• SPED 672 Advanced Assessment (3)
• SPED 676 Clinical Case Management (3)
• SPED 679 Internship in Educational Therapy (3)

3. Master’s Only Courses (9 units): Classified Status Required

• SPED 681 Graduate Research in Special Education (3)
• SPED 682MM Advanced Graduate Research in Special Education (3)
• SPED 697 Directed Comprehensive Studies (3)

Total Units Required for the Master of Arts Degree in Educational Therapy: 36

Requirements for Admission (Conditional Status)

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college.
2. Good standing at the last university attended.
3. A minimum of a 2.5 GPA in the last 60 semester units attempted.
4. Admission to the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential program or an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher or a University-approved aptitude test for graduate study such as the GRE with a score at or above the 50^th percentile on one of the three GRE subtests or 50^th percentile on the MAT.
5. Fingerprint clearance from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.  Provide a copy of a valid CTC Certificate or Credential.  Instructions on completing the online process can be found on the Credential Office website. 
6. Evidence of Live Scan clearance.
7. Tuberculosis clearance:  Provide evidence of a negative tuberculosis test result within the last 2 years. You may complete this test at any health facility you wish.  If you are currently enrolled at CSUN, you may contact the CSUN Student Health Center for TB test at (818) 677-3666.  Include a copy of your negative test result with your application.
8. Minimum of two years of experience in the field of education.

Requirements for Admission to MA Program (Classified Status) 

1. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher or a University-approved aptitude test for graduate study such as the GRE with a score at or above the 50^th percentile on one of the three GRE subtests or 50^th percentile on the MAT.
2. A 3.0 GPA for all work taken as a conditionally classified student.
3. Approval of a plan of study by the student’s advisor.

Other Requirements

1. A minimum of 36 units, including a culminating experience, is required for completion of the Master of Arts Degree in Educational Therapy.
2. Courses more than 7 years old will not be included in the total of 36 units required for the Master of Arts Degree in Educational Therapy. Students should see an advisor prior to selecting classes.
3. A 3.0 GPA or higher in all work undertaken since admission to the program to be advanced to candidacy (approval to proceed to the culminating experience course).