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Special Education

The Master of Science Degree in Special Education at Saint Vincent College will provide specialized training in educating students with disabilities. With increasing training in educating demands in our schools, this program has been developed to prepare educators to become additionally certified in special education.  The program is designed for certified teachers who desire additional knowledge and are seeking a second PA certification in special education PreK-8 or 7-12. Candidates will explore assessment and instruction strategies and techniques for high incidence, low incidence and emotional disabilities; research the necessary components for writing and implementing individualized education programs, evaluation reports, and behavioral analyses; and investigate the laws and legislation relevant to special education.

Program Overview
Admission & Academic Regulations
Application for Graduate Education
Graduate Education Recommendation Forms
Graduate Tuition & Fees

Program Goals:
The goal of the program is to provide quality instruction, scholarly achievement opportunities, best practices for the classroom, and diverse field practice for those teaching and working with students with disabilities. We offer opportunities to collaborate as a community team member and as a pre-service teacher to encourage high and low incidence students and their parents’ work together to produce and implement individualized education program goals, activities, and objectives.  We provide the necessary methods and field instruction for certified teachers to feel confident and prepared for the challenges of special education preK-8 or 7-12.

Program Format:
The Special Education Master’s degree is designed to be an accelerated 36-credit hours that can be completed in approximately 21 months (11 required courses, 1 elective courses). The courses are held all year around. Most students can take two courses a term only one or two evenings per week. At the close of the student’s degree coursework, students take a comprehensive exam. The exam is offered every term, which enables students to graduate year around.

Courses Required for Master’s in Special Education (36 credits):

   

GCSE  607  Family and Professional Collaboration                                                                        

GCSE  617  Diagnosis and Evaluation of Students with High Incidence Disabilities                      

GCSE  627  Theory and Practice of Teaching Students with High Incidence Disabilities                 

GCSE  637  Methods of Instruction and Assessment for Students With Significant & Multiple Disabilities                

GCSE  647  Educating Students with Emotional & Behavioral Disorders                                              

GCSE  657  Technological Applications for Differentiated Instruction    

GCSE  667  Advanced Intervention Strategies in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics                

GCSE  687  Teaching Students with Autistic Spectrum and Developmental Disorders               

GCSE 707 Methods of Instruction for Early & Middle Grade Students with Exceptionalities (PreK-8 cert only)

or

GCSE 717 Methods of Instruction & Transition for Secondary Students with Exceptionalities (7-12 cert only)   

GCED 605  Statistics and Research Design                                                                            

GCED 675  Inclusionary Education                                                                                                      

1 elective  (any graduate education course not listed above)      

click here for course descriptions

 

Obtaining Pennsylvania teaching certification with a Master of Science In Special Education

Students may add PA certification in Special Education with this program.

Two tracks are available: Prek-8 (previously early childhood, elementary or middle grade certified candidates) or 7-12 (previously secondary or K-12 certified candidates) All students pursuing certification must pass the state Praxis exam:  Special Education N-12 (20353)

 

Combining an initial Early Childhood or Middle Grade Education Pennsylvania teaching certification with a Master of Science In Special Education at Saint Vincent College:

Students may become certified in Early Childhood or Middle Grade Education and add Special Education (PreK-8) by completing both the necessary undergraduate Early or Middle grade methods, student teaching, and then, graduate courses.  Students can take advantage of an accelerated Master of Science Degree in Special Education by transferring courses from a post-baccalaureate or undergraduate program into the graduate program in order to complete both certifications in or around 18 months.

 

Saint Vincent College undergraduate courses that will count in the Master of Science in Special Education. 

The following required undergraduate courses will waive graduate coursework up to six (6) credits. Students must have earned an A- or better for these courses to count.

 

Early Childhood Certification (6 credits waived)

ED 242 Numerical and Manipulative Math for Early and Special Learners 2

ED 250 Reading and Writing for Early and Special Learners 2

ED 208 Classroom Partnerships and Inclusion 3

ED 215 Curriculum, Projects and Play for the Developing Child 2

PY 290 Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Student 3

 

The above courses can waive:

GCED 675 Inclusionary Education

GCSE 627 Theory and Practice of Teaching Students with High Incidence Disabilities

 

Middle Grade Certification (3 credits waived)

ED 228 Early Adolescent Motivation and Learning 3

ED 208 Classroom Partnerships and Inclusion 3

PY 290 Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Student 3

Program Mentor:

As a requirement of the new masters degree in special education each candidate must identify a mentor from the special education field currently working with students.  This mentor should be identified shortly after acceptance.  The mentor’s role is primarily as a resource for the candidate by assisting in securing fieldwork and observation opportunities depending on the assignments required in the candidate’s graduate classes.  The mentor will receive a stipend and will be offered Act 48 credits for assisting in this matter. For candidates unable to identify a mentor, Saint Vincent College Education Department will assist in locating an appropriate mentor.

 

Comprehensive Exam Requirement:

At the completion of the graduate degree program, all students are required to respond to a battery of essay questions posed by their professors. This requirement acts as an academic collective exercise that formally admits students into the exclusive group of scholars who hold a master’s degree in education. Students are graded by their professors and are ranked in their ability to fully address the questions. Students are permitted to re-take the exam twice in the event of failure.

Saint Vincent College Offers: 

  • Small classes taught by highly respected rpofessors
  • Individual attention and expert advising
  • A dynamic learning atmosphere
  • An action-oriented research component
  • Emphasis on leadership and professional growth
  • Integration of technology into the curriculum
  • Curriculum aligned with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
  • Flexible scheduling in fall, spring, and summer sessions
  • Teaching certification option
  • Approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
If you have questions, please contact:
Office of Graduate and Continuing Education

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