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2014-2015 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Special Education, M.A.
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The graduate programs in Special Education are designed to meet the needs of individuals seeking to be licensed as Special Education teachers or seeking to enhance their teaching and to effectively meet the needs of at-risk and exceptional learners in the general education classroom.
Concentrations
Special Education, M.A.
Special Education with Teacher Licensure
Special Education with Cross-Endorsement
Special Education with concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorders
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
- Graduate admission application and nonrefundable admission fee
- A conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5; cumulative GPA of 2.67 for teacher licensure
- Two sealed official transcripts of all undergraduate work and any prior graduate work
- 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 School of Education at the University of Saint Joseph
- Immunization record using the Graduate School form on the University website
- A planned program of study developed by the candidate and the faculty advisor, approved by the department chair
Continuation Requirements
Completion of the first six graduate credits with a grade of B or better is required for continuation in a program in the School of Education. Only courses with a B or better at any point in the program will be accepted as graduate work. After the first six credits, a course with less than a B may be repeated only one time.
There are additional requirements for acceptance into a Graduate Teacher Licensure program.
Exit Requirements
Eligible candidates for the Master of Arts degree take a comprehensive exam in February or July. The application for the Comprehensive Exam is available from the School of Education and the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is the candidate’s responsibility to obtain his/her faculty advisor’s signature and to submit the application to the office manager of the School of Education by the due date.
Comprehensive Exam
All students must pass a written comprehensive examination after having completed all of Special Education courses and 80% of their planned program, except for Special Education with Teacher Licensure, which requires 100% completion of the planned program.
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Special Education Focus
This option is open to general and special educators who seek a master’s degree and wish flexibility in creating a program of study that reflects professional interests. Three courses are required and the remaining 7 courses selected to complete the planned program of study are selected in collaboration with an advisor. Areas of focus within special education include: reading and writing disabilities, inclusion, social-emotional learning and autism. All courses in special education have a theme of using assessment to inform instruction, consistent with a response to intervention framework. There are additional opportunities for focus provided by advanced coursework in education, including coursework in technology and working with culturally and linguistically diverse learners. Prerequisites (May be satisfied by previous coursework)
Required courses (9 credits)
Focus Area (6 credits)
Select One Set of Courses:
STEM:
and
or
Reading:
and
or
Autism:
and Special Education with Teacher Licensure
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 examinations in elementary education and the Foundations of Reading Test. 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 examination in one of these content areas.
Core courses (33 credits)
Student Teaching (10-12 credits)
Special Education with Cross-Endorsement
This option is available for licensed teachers interested in obtaining an M.A. degree while simultaneously working towards a cross-endorsement in comprehensive Special Education, also known as state Department of Education license #165. Courses that fulfill degree requirements have been approved by the state and address competencies needed to meet the academic and social learning needs of K-12 students who have disabilities.
Licensed educators seeking a cross-endorsement in Special Education must apply directly to the state Department of Education, which has the exclusive authority to issue cross-endorsements. A state consultant will review transcripts and provide a written response to the educator. This letter and a copy of the initial teaching license are required for the application process. The educator will need to meet with an advisor in Special Education and complete a planned program of study.
Following successful completion of all coursework, student teaching, and Praxis II, the educator will apply directly to the state Department of Education for the endorsement.
Licensed teachers seeking cross-endorsement in Special Education may complete two summer practica (no less than 5 weeks per practica) during two summers.
The state Department of Education’s missing credentials letter will be used to select courses that simultaneously count towards cross-endorsement and a master’s degree. These courses may be completed initially to expedite cross-endorsement. Total credit count required for an M.A. is 30 credits and does not include practica.
Cross Endorsement Requirements
Practica: Cross-Endorsement
Special Education with Autism Spectrum Disorders Concentration
Candidates choose this 30-credit option to gain proficiency in applied educational concepts, principles, and practices, and work with students who have Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families as well as to complete advanced study in the field of Special Education. Practicum experience, field studies, and observation at the Gengras Center (a state-approved special education facility and model lab school affiliated with the University of Saint Joseph) and area public schools are part of the curriculum. Prerequisites (May be previous coursework)
Required courses (18 credits)
Cross- Endorsement
Cross Endorsement in Special Education, Non-Matriculated Status
This is a non-degree, graduate credit-bearing program for licensed teachers who do not want a formal master’s degree program. Coursework is available to fulfill specific requirements provided by the Connecticut State Department of Education for a Comprehensive Special Education (K-12) license, #165.
Benefits of program:
- No need for matriculation to the Graduate School
- Customized, value added advisement; licensed teachers select courses that simultaneoulsy fulfill requirements, while focusing on their own professional interests in reading, writing, inclusion, autism or social-emotional learning
- Ability to take required student teaching practica during the summer with two different exceptionalities, without interruption to school year employment.
Application Requirements:
- A copy of the written response from the Connecticut State Department of Education consultant based on an individual transcript review with additional requirements needed to be eligible for cross endorsement
- A copy of current teaching license
- Application to student teach in summer is required by February 1 of that year. To be eligible for student teaching, all credits required by the state in the identified regulatory areas must be completed
Student Teaching:
- Practica is open only to candidates who have completed at least 12 credits of graduate courses approved for cross-endorsement at the Unversity of Saint Joseph
- Applications to student teach are due by February 1 of the year summer placement is requested
Other Opportunities in Education
Cross Endorsement Opportunities
Laboratory Schools
International Honor Society - Kappa Delta Pi
Internships
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