Special Education, MEd

The Department of Communication Disorders, Special Education, and Disability Services offers two graduate programs: Master of Education degree in Special Education and the Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology. These programs are in accord with the current national standards of the Council for Exceptional Children and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, respectively.

The MEd program in Special Education is structured to address the educational needs of five types of graduate students: (a) those who hold Pennsylvania Mentally and/or Physically Handicapped certification; (b) those who hold another teaching certificate who wish to obtain Special Education Certification (either PreK-8th grades or 7th-12th grades) while working toward an MEd degree in Special Education; (c) those who hold another teaching certificate who wish to obtain Special Education Certification (either PreK-8th grades or 7th-12th grades) without earning the MEd degree; and (d) those who do not want to qualify for a teaching certificate, but who wish to earn an MEd degree and work professionally with persons with disabilities.

The program intends to prepare graduates who will: a) implement curricula to meet individual needs of students with disabilities; b) demonstrate adaptability, flexibility, and initiative in meeting the changing needs of students with disabilities; c) use positive behavior management techniques; d) assess pupils strengths and limitations for instructional planning; e) practice diagnostic prescriptive instructional procedures; f) adapt special equipment for individuals; g) plan for and effective use paraprofessionals; h) engage in effective communication and collaborative partnerships; and i) apply professionalism and ethical practices.

Students working toward a master’s degree may select a thesis or a non-thesis option at an appropriate point in their program of studies. All MEd candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive examination as the terminal experience in their course of studies. For candidates wanting special education certification, individual programs of study will be designed based on review of transcripts.

Admission Criteria

Applications are due by March 15 for consideration for Summer/Fall acceptance and by October 15 for Spring acceptance.

Special Education-MEd and Special Education Certification

EDEX 569 - Education of Persons with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, Learning Disabilities, or Brain Injury Credits: 3
EDEX 578 - Education of Persons with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Physical/Multiple Disabilities Credits: 3
EDEX 558 - Transition Assessment and Planning for Youth with Disabilities Credits: 3
EDEX 752 - Assessment of Persons with Disabilities Credits: 3
EDEX 754 - Advanced Instructional Design in Special Education Credits: 3
EDEX 755 - Professional Collaboration and Team Building for Special Educators Credits: 3
EDEX 785 - Practicum and Internship Credits: 3-9
GSR 615 - Elements of Research Credits: 3
Electives Credits: 3
Electives Credits: 3
Electives Credits: 3
Electives Credits: 3
or
EDEX 795 - Thesis Credits: 3 (optional)

Total Required (36 cr.)

Note: Students may choose electives from an approved list including:

EDEX 515 - Preschool Education for Children with Disabilities Credits: 3
EDEX 560 - Family Perspectives on Disability Credits: 3
EDEX 753 - Research Seminar in Special Education Credits: 3
EDSP 704 - Advanced Educational Psychology Credits: 3
EDSP 746 - Learning and Instruction Credits: 3
EDSP 747 - Psychology of Human Development Credits: 3
COUN 629 - Group Procedure (child) Credits: 3
COUN 639 - Group Counseling Theory and Experience Credits: 3
or
other relevant courses with approval of the program coordinator.
These are minimum requirements. Additional coursework may be required depending on present certification (e.g., applicants with secondary education certification will be required to demonstrate competence in the teaching of reading, language arts, and math to students with disabilities). These requirements are determined at admission on a case-by-case basis.

Special Education Certification Only at the Graduate Level

Certificate Requirements*

EDEX 569 - Education of Persons with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, Learning Disabilities, or Brain Injury Credits: 3
EDEX 578 - Education of Persons with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Physical/Multiple Disabilities Credits: 3
EDEX 752 - Assessment of Persons with Disabilities Credits: 3
EDEX 754 - Advanced Instructional Design in Special Education Credits: 3
EDEX 785 - Practicum and Internship Credits: 3-9 (severe)
EDEX 558 - Transition Assessment and Planning for Youth with Disabilities Credits: 3 (required for 7-12 certification)
or
EDEX 755 - Professional Collaboration and Team Building for Special Educators Credits: 3 (required for PreK-8 certification)

Total Required (18 cr.)

*PECT exams are also required to obtain PA certification. Minimum requirements: Additional coursework may also be required for PA certification.

The Special Education Certificate is an 18-credit program offered by the Special Education program in the Department of Communication Disorders, Special Education, and Disability Services. The program leads to PA certification in Special Education. Students choose from two options: Special Education Certification preK-8th grade or Special Education Certification 7th-12th grade. All students take courses related to characteristics of students with disabilities, effective instructional practices, and assessment. Students focusing on preK-8th grade are required to take a course on multi-disciplinary collaborations. Students focusing on 7th-12th grade are required to take a course on transition services. All students must complete a practicum experience during the summer.

The Special Education Certificate was designed for persons who have initial teaching certification in a content area such as Early Childhood Education, English Education, or Art Education. Eighteen credits are the minimum requirements for PA teacher certification in Special Education. Students who do not have prerequisite methods courses may be required to take additional courses; individual programs will be designed based on a review of transcripts.

Special Education - MEd-only program

EDEX 558 - Transition Assessment and Planning for Youth with Disabilities Credits: 3
EDEX 752 - Assessment of Persons with Disabilities Credits: 3
EDEX 753 - Research Seminar in Special Education Credits: 3
EDEX 754 - Advanced Instructional Design in Special Education Credits: 3
EDEX 755 - Professional Collaboration and Team Building for Special Educators Credits: 3
EDEX 785 - Practicum and Internship Credits: 3-9
EDEX 560 - Family Perspectives on Disability Credits: 3
GSR 615 - Elements of Research Credits: 3
Electives Credits: 3
Electives Credits: 3
or
EDEX 795 - Thesis Credits: 3

Total Required (30 cr.)

Note: Students may choose electives from:

EDSP 704 - Advanced Educational Psychology Credits: 3
EDSP 746 - Learning and Instruction Credits: 3
EDSP 747 - Psychology of Human Development Credits: 3
EDSP 748 - Advanced Studies in Behavioral Problems Credits: 3
COUN 629 - Group Procedure (child) Credits: 3
COUN 639 - Group Counseling Theory and Experience Credits: 3
EDEX 515 - Preschool Education for Children with Disabilities Credits: 3
or other relevant courses with approval of the program coordinator.