Mar 28, 2024  
Graduate Catalog 2011-12 
    
Graduate Catalog 2011-12 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Arts in Special Education


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Advisors: George Haus, Paula Kohler, Sarah Summy, Elizabeth Whitten, Shaila Rao, Kristal Ehrhardt, Luchara Wallace
Room 3506, Sangren Hall

The Master of Arts in Special Education prepares students to locate, organize, critically evaluate, and use research-based practices to provide quality education services to students with disabilities; collaborate with other educators, families, and service providers to solve problems in the field of special education; and to produce new information related to the field. Students develop competencies in information literacy, assessment, curriculum development, collaboration, differentiated instruction, transition education, and leadership through a curriculum aligned with professional standards established by the Council for Exceptional Children.

 

Admission Procedures, all options

Students seeking admission to the Master of Arts in Special Education program should request a Master’s Degree Program Application packet from the Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies.  They must follow all instructions on the Graduate Self-Managed Application form and send the following supplemental materials to the Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies: 1) Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies Master’s Degree Program Application, 2) copy of teaching certificate/endorsement(s), 3) current resume, 4) written statement of experience and professional goals, and 5) two reference forms.  Completed files are reviewed on a rolling basis.  Applications are evaluated on the basis of: 1) undergraduate grade point average (a graduate grade point average may be used if at least 9 hours of recent and relevant course work have been completed), 2) special education experience, 4) congruence of goals and requested program option, 54 writing skills, and 5) references.

Program Requirements (all options)


All students who receive a Master of Arts in Special Education must complete the following requirements:

  1. A minimum of 37 semester hours of prescribed graduate level work with a point-hour ratio of at least 3.00. Advisors will designate specific course and hour requirements for each option described below.
  2. A comprehensive written examination. This examination may be taken after the student has completed a minimum of twenty semester hours. Responsibility for scheduling this examination is assumed by the graduate student after consulting with the program advisor.

Master Teacher Option


This option is designed for persons who have special education certification and who plan to remain directly involved with students with disabilities in an instructional capacity or who plan to pursue advanced graduate preparation beyond the master’s degree. Additional special education teaching endorsements that can be earned through this option are Emotionally Impaired, Learning Disabled, Cognitively Impaired, and Visually Impaired.

Prerequisites

  1. Michigan Teaching Certificate or equivalent
  2. Endorsement in at least one area of Special Education
  3. Admission by Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies

Clinical Teacher Option


This option is available to certified teachers seeking a master’s degree and an initial endorsement in one of the following areas of special education:  Emotionally Impaired, Learning Disabled, Cognitively Impaired, or Visually Impaired.

Prerequisites

  1. Michigan Teaching Certificate or equivalent
  2. Admission by Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies

Special Education Technology Option (no longer offered)


This option, designed for persons who have special education certification, provides comprehensive knowledge, skills, and experience in the development and use of various special education technologies.

Prerequisites

  1. Michigan Teaching Certificate or equivalent
  2. Endorsement in at least one area of Special Education
  3. Admission by Department of Special education and Literacy Studies

Special Education Administration Option


This option, designed for certified and experienced special education teachers, provides course work and field-based experiences necessary to gain State of Michigan Central Office Administrator Certification and approval as either a Director of Special Education or a Supervisor of Special Education.

Prerequisites

  1. Michigan Teaching Certificate or equivalent
  2. Endorsement in at least one area of Special Education
  3. Admission by Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies

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