Graduate Studies

Master of Education concentration in Special Education 

The degree requires successful completion of twelve (12) courses, in addition to a practicum for those seeking an Initial License as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities. An oral comprehensive examination is required of all students as the culminating experience. A professional portfolio must be completed and presented prior to the oral comprehensive examination as part of the degree program. The exam is taken during the student’s final semester of study.

Practicum
Students seeking an Initial license as Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities at the Grades PreK-8 level must complete a 300 hour practicum. Seventy-five (75) hours of the practicum must be completed in an inclusive, general education setting in grades PreK-8. The remaining 225 hours may be completed in inclusive, general education settings or in separate or substantially separate settings for students with moderate disabilities in grades PreK-8. Upon approval of their practicum application, students enroll in SPED 944 Practicum in Moderate Disabilities: Grades PreK-8.

Students seeking an Initial license as Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities at the Grades 5-12 level must complete a 150 hour practicum. Seventy-five (75) hours of the practicum must be completed in an inclusive, general education setting in grades 5-12. The remaining 75 hours may be completed in inclusive, general education settings or in separate or substantially separate settings for students with moderate disabilities in grades 5-12. Upon approval of their practicum application, students enroll in SPED 945 Practicum in Moderate Disabilities: Grades 5-12.

Notes: The practicum is not required of students who are not seeking licensure. The practicum may be completed as part of the degree program, or it may be completed after the master’s degree has been conferred.

Guideline for the Practicum in Special Needs
Students are expected to secure their own placement site which must be approved by the University. The placement site(s) must meet the practicum criteria for the licensure level the student is seeking. Students who need assistance securing a placement site should consult with their advisor and the program coordinator. Students must submit a practicum application at least 3 months before the semester during which you want to take the practicum.

For a Fall practicum, apply no later than June 1
For a Spring practicum, apply no later than October 15
For a Summer practicum, apply no later than March 1

When the practicum application is approved by the Dean and the Program Coordinator, the student may register for the appropriate practicum course.

Students who are employed in a regular education setting as a general education teacher or as a paraprofessional, even if that setting includes students who receive special education services, are not considered to be in the role of the special education teacher; therefore that position may not be used for the practicum experience.

Students may complete some practicum hours in approved public or private day or residential schools for students with moderate disabilities. These settings may not be used for the required hours in inclusive, general education classrooms.

Note: Students must have completed all Concentration courses prior to the practicum semester or be enrolled in the final concentration course concurrently with the practicum course. Students may not take more than one concentration course during the practicum semester.

Evidence of passing scores on all required MTEL tests must be on file before beginning the practicum. Students who have not passed all required MTEL tests prior to the first day of the semester in which they have registered to take the Practicum will have to withdraw from the Practicum course.

Coordinator: Dr. Katherine Hibbard, Education
Advisors: Dr. Katherine Hibbard, Education, Dr. Rosanne Majoy, Education, Dr. Deborah Nowers, Education, and Professor Audrey Seyffert, Education

Notes:

1. Requirements are accurate to date. However, the University reserves the right to change requirements in the future, and will notify applicants should any changes be made.
2. Refer to appropriate catalog for Degree Requirements for prior years.

Degree Requirements | Admission Requirements | Additional Info

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