Special Education - Comprehensive, M.A.T.

Mission

The Department of Special Education prepares highly effective practitioners whose work is grounded in current research, theory, and evidence-based practice. This is accomplished through close faculty mentorship, rigorous coursework, and supervised fieldwork. Candidates develop professional skills and dispositions to effect positive change for students with specialized learning needs.

Program Outcomes

The student will:

• Be a critical thinker and effective problem solver who is concerned with the social, emotional, and intellectual issues of all children and adolescents in contemporary educational settings
• Apply advanced pedagogy in curriculum, instruction, and assessment to engage all students in reaching their potential as people and as learners
• Develop the capacity to influence and advance positive change for students, professionals, and the profession in a complex global society

Acceptance Requirements

1. Graduate admission application and nonrefundable admission fee
2. A conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
3. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.67
4. Two sealed official transcripts of all undergraduate work and any prior graduate work
5. Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the candidate’s suitability as a prospective teacher or to work with children and families, accompanied by the Graduate School’s cover form on the University website
   Note: Recommendations must be from individuals who are not family members, personal friends or members of the USJ School of Education
6. Immunization record using the Graduate School form on the University website
7. A planned program of study developed by the candidate and the faculty advisor, approved by the department chair

Continuation Requirements

Students must earn a grade of B or better in their first attempt in their first two classes to remain in the program. They must earn a B or better in all courses for continuous progression throughout the program.

Exit Requirements

Eligible candidates for the Master of Arts in Teaching degree take a comprehensive exam in spring or summer. The application for the comprehensive exam is available from the School of Education. It is the candidate’s responsibility to obtain the faculty advisor’s signature and to submit the application to the office manager of the School of Education by the date date. Teacher licensure program requirements should be completed within six years from the date of acceptance. Written requests for an extension may be submitted to the d dean of the School of Education.

Comprehensive Exam

Before taking the comprehensive exam, you must complete 100% of your planned program, including all courses in Autism Spectrum Disorders specialization plus at least two additional Special Education courses.