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Special Education and Certification, MEd

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Courses 100% Online

Classes offered in a Hybrid format

Allows students to form relationships with faculty and fellow students

Synchronous Advising Available

Meet with your advisor via Zoom

Hands-on Opportunities

Field hours can be completed in your current classroom

Accreditation

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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). 

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.

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Educational Leadership and Special Education Department
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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.

 

  • SPEE 526 - Topics in Spec Ed for School Counselors and other School Professionals: Working w/ Stud with Except 
  • SPEE 446 - Transition to Adult Life for Students with Disabilities 
  • SPEE 483 - Assessing Children with Exceptionalities for Curricular Decision-Making 
  • SPEE 535 - Special Education Processes in a Standards Aligned System 
  • SPEE 545 - Applied Behavior Analysis/Positive Behavior Supports 
  • SPEE 548 - Direct Instruction 
  • SPEE 550 - Instruction for Students with High Incidence Disabilities 
  • SPEE 600 - Research in Special Education 
  • EDLD 510 - Special Education Law 

  • SPEE 551 - Subject Area Content Access for Students with Learning Disabilities in a Standards Aligned System 
  • SPEE 561 - Instruction for Students with Low Incidence Disabilities
  • SPEE 565 - Instruction for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders 
  • SPEE 571 - Instruction for Students with Social, Emotional, and Behavior Disorders

For information concerning the post-master’s program leading to Pennsylvania certification as a Special Education Supervisor, refer to Supervisory Certification Programs.

Course Work for Comprehensive Certification PK-12 Concentration

For course descriptions, visit the catalog.

An additional 9 credits of pre-requisites are required. These can be waived if these courses have already been completed in an undergraduate education program.

  • SPEE 526 - Topics in Spec Ed for School Counselors and other School Professionals: Working w/ Stud with Except
  • SPEE 483 - Assessing Children with Exceptionalities for Curricular Decision-Making 
  • TESL 450 - Foundations of English Language Learner Credits: 3 or TESL 520 - Literacy and Linguistically Diverse Cultures and Communities

Required 30 Graduate Credits:

  • SPEE 446 - Transition to Adult Life for Students with Disabilities Credits: 3
  • SPEE 535 - Special Education Processes in a Standards Aligned System Credits: 3
  • SPEE 545 - Applied Behavior Analysis/Positive Behavior Supports Credits: 3
  • SPEE 548 - Direct Instruction Credits: 3
  • SPEE 550 - Instruction for Students with High Incidence Disabilities Credits: 3
  • SPEE 551 - Subject Area Content Access for Students with Learning Disabilities in a Standards Aligned System Credits: 3
  • SPEE 561 - Instruction for Students with Low Incidence Disabilities Credits: 3
  • SPEE 565 - Instruction for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Credits: 3
  • SPEE 571 - Instruction for Students with Social, Emotional, and Behavior Disorders Credits: 3
  • SPEE 600 - Research in Special Education Credits: 3

Note: Up to 9 credits can also be evaluated and transferred from another program

  • EDFN 495 - Student Teaching and Professional Practicum Credits: 6-15 (9 credits) This practicum can be completed in the classroom where you currently teach as long as it is a Special Education classroom.

For Pennsylvania Certification in Special Education all Candidates must pass:

  1. Special Education PK-12-Spec Ed: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354)
    1. Take this one at the end of the semester prior to Student Teaching.
  2. Fundamental Subjects Content Knowledge (5511)
    1. This one is waived if you have prior certification in Pk-4 or mid-level.

For information concerning the post-master’s program leading to Pennsylvania certification as a Special Education Supervisor, refer to Supervisory Certification Programs.

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