Graduate Teacher Licensure in Special Education K-12

This program is designed for candidates who want a master of arts in Special Education with initial Special Education teacher licensure. Candidates interested in teaching at the elementary level are encouraged to pass the Praxis II tests in elementary education. To become recognized as “highly qualified” in a content area, special education teachers at the middle and secondary levels need to have a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree (typically 30 credits) in Mathematics, English, or a science, or pass the Praxis II test in one of these content areas.

Program Outcomes

The candidate will:

• Understand the physical, emotional, psychosocial, and cognitive aspects of development
• Understand and apply learning theories as they relate to a holistic curriculum
• Evaluate learning and behavior of students
• Identify classroom organization and management techniques to enhance learning
• Understand historical, social, cultural, and political forces influencing public education and the role of a teacher in the resulting issues
• Accrue and use in-depth knowledge of professional literature
• Become a lifelong independent learner and reflective practitioner
• Demonstrate responsibility, initiative and sensitivity in working with all children in education-related settings
• Teach all children effectively in a constructivist and collaborative manner using best practice