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.
