Are you inspired to shape your education system? Are you driven to meet the challenges and opportunities of a continuously shifting educational landscape? If you are, then our Shippensburg University's Educational Leadership, MEd program will empower you with the skills and tools needed today and tomorrow.
The program is designed for students who are full-time educators. Courses are offered on weeknights and weekends to accommodate your schedule. There is a blend of face-to-face meetings and online work. All of the courses are taught by former administrators in the field of educational leadership. You will get to know your professors, who are able to mentor you toward potential career options. The program can be completed in two and a half years or less.
Expect to be engaged in leadership activities in your professional setting throughout the program, including:
- Developing a community project
- Shadowing an administrator
- Analyzing a curricular resource
- Exploring policy development
- Creating a building level budget
- Completing a research project
You will also explore research on contemporary topics including trauma practices, gender issues, the impact of poverty and technology integration.
Accreditation
Shippensburg University’s special education program works to meet the needs of a changing society. The program is designed to conform to the Special Education Standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Education and to the standards and regulations for graduate education at Shippensburg University, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).
On Campus Opportunities
Student teaching is the culminating field experience and occurs during the last semester of the program.
Shippensburg University has been educating teachers for more than 140 years, offering a number of specialized curriculum laboratories on campus.
- Grace B. Luhrs University Elementary School, an alternative public elementary school, is one of the finest demonstration laboratories in the country, serving a heterogeneous group of children from preschool through fifth grade.
- HIRE ME (Helping Individuals Reach Employment Milestones Everyday) program is an on-campus program designed to provide vocational education to high school students with Autism, Intellectual, and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) through authentic work experiences supervised by
Shippensburg University student job coaches. - Ship SAILS provides students with AIDD ages 18-21 with social, vocational, and independent living skills training in authentic campus classroom and employment settings, pairing students from local school districts with Shippensburg University students serving as peer mentors.
There are also plenty of opportunities to conduct and present research during your time at Shippensburg University.
Admissions Requirements
In addition to the application and transcript(s), Special Education applicants must submit:
- Resume
- Program statement: Please provide clear and concise answers to the following
- Describe your three most significant professional experiences you have had
- Describe your major professional traits
- Describe yourself in terms of strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement
- Describe your experiences with individuals who have disabilities
- Describe your significant life experiences
- Explain your desire to study and go into the field of special education.
- Three (3) Recommendations: One of the three recommendations must be from your last professional supervisor
The Special Education program also requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Special Education program applicants are required to present evidence of previous successful experience working with students and a commitment to teaching students with disabilities.
Special Education has rolling admissions with no application deadline. Students can begin the program during the spring, summer, or fall terms. Once the application is complete, the Educational Leadership and Special Education Department will begin the review process and make a prompt decision.
Take the Next Step
Course Work for Special Education, MEd
Masters in Education in Special Education with Optional Pk-12 PA Certification
The MEd in Special Education is designed for candidates who wish to advance their knowledge in the field of Special Education (30 credits) and for those who want to earn public school Special Education Certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (additional 15 credits). Applicants are required to present evidence of previous successful experience working with people with disabilities. A maximum of nine graduate credits in special education from an accredited institution may be accepted when candidates apply to the Special Education Program. Each student is required to have a program-planning sheet approved by their advisor on file. Students designate MEd in Special Education or MEd in Special Education plus Certification at the time of application. For course descriptions, please visit the catalog.