SPED 693 - Capstone Research Project

Units: 4
Intersection of research, best practices, and strategies for developing as a professional educator. Survey of research philosophy and methods for conducting studies in diverse settings; completion of culminating project requirement for the Master of Science Degree and Education Specialist Credential.

Possible Instructional Methods: Entirely On-ground, or Entirely Online, or Hybrid.
Grading: A-F grading only.
Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Complete culminating activity/thesis/project and requirements for the Master’s of Science Degree in Special Education and the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential.
Identify the relationship between theory and research, and the critical role of research in the fields of the behavioral sciences, including counseling / psychology / education.
Articulate and summarize evidence-based practices supported by the current research literature and that are related to diverse groups and topics/interventions of interest in one’s area of interest and intervention.
Articulate the process by which the appropriate investigation methods are determined for a specific research problem or question.
Participate the systematic processes involved in research and evaluation from generating questions/hypotheses to analyzing and reporting results.
Utilize current APA editorial style for citations (at minimum) within text/narrative as well as in reference lists.
Articulate best or research-based practices (supported by the literature) for the effective education of students with and without disabilities across the age span (K-transition).
Interpret and critique published research representative of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, large and small group, interrupted time series designs and/or action research within the areas.
Communicate and apply research outcomes to instructional practices in discussion and written form.
Summarize research findings as they relate to students with disabilities in key areas.
Demonstrate understanding of emerging trends in areas such as service delivery, assessment curriculum, instruction, graduation and transitions, and the relationship of these to research and policy development.
Develop, implement and assess units of study. Implement and update one’s own educational programs to reflect current evidence-based practices.
Demonstrate effective case management including scheduling, IEPs, working with paraprofessionals, parents, service providers and general education personnel.
Develop areas of specialization within the profession.
Complete credential specific special projects and professional Toolkits.