Graduate Programs

Master of Special Education
Please Download detailed Handbook at Word or PDF format

Mission

Our program's mission is to develop reflective practitioners with depth and breadth of knowledge in the theories, research, methods and strategies of effective instruction in the least restrictive environment for learners with special needs.

Goals

Our goals are to develop:

•  Learner-centered knowledge where the practitioner possesses and draws on a rich knowledge base of content, pedagogy, and technology to provide relevant and meaningful programs and services for all students.

•  Learner-centered assessment and instruction where the practitioner collaboratively uses non-discriminatory assessment results to plan, and assesses instruction to create a learner-centered community in the least restrictive environment.

•  Equity in excellence for all learners where practitioner collaborates with other professionals to plan and recommend programs and instructional methods for diverse groups of learners.

•  Learner-centered communication . While acting as an advocate for all students and the school, the teacher demonstrates effective professional and interpersonal communication skills.

•  Learner-centered professional development . The practitioner is dedicated to all students' success and demonstrates a commitment to learn, to improve the profession, and to maintain professional ethics and personal integrity.

Program Standards

Each Course syllabus indicates on the Standards matrix which state and national standards are addressed in that course. Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Knowledge and Skill Base for all Beginning Educational Diagnosticians Standards, State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) Standards for Educational Diagnostician Certificate and Special Education Standards are included as an attachment to this handbook. Candidates should become familiar with these sets of standards.

Recommended Course Sequence for Educational Diagnostician Program

The courses for the Educational Diagnostician Program are listed below, along with the usual semester and site. Times and sites may vary from one semester to the next.

Graduate Studies Admission Criteria

1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
2. A 2.8  GPA (4.0 scale), on last 60 hours of courses before earning the bachelor's degree or at least 2.5  GPA on all previous college studies (some programs require higher  GPA ).
3. Official scores from standardized tests such as the Graduate Record Exam 
   ( GRE) general test. In making an admission decision, results from these standardized tests are used along with other factors to assess an applicant's potential for successful graduate studies performance. 
4. State required immunizations.

An applicant who does not meet the requirements for admission may qualify for conditional admission. (No conditional admission for international students.)

Graduate Faculty in Special Education