Admission
Please note that tests and test score requirements for program entry, program completion and qualification for state licensure and certification are subject to change by the Delaware Department of Education.
Please refer to “The Graduate Admissions Process” section for general graduate admission information.
Admission to the Master of Education in Special Education: Instruction degree program requires the following:
- Complete and submit the Graduate Application for Admission, accompanied by a non-refundable application fee. The application can be downloaded at here.
- Provide an official transcript or transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university verifying completion of a bachelor’s degree. Transcripts and all application documents should be sent to Wilmington University Office of Graduate Admissions.
- Submit official (complete with subtest scores) score reports demonstrating mastery of general knowledge, including the ability to read, write, and compute (Praxis CORE/Praxis I). For more information about ETS exams (including how to register), go to ets.org. Test takers should designate Wilmington University and the Delaware Department of Education as score recipients. This enables scores to be sent directly, confidentially, and electronically. Otherwise, candidates must provide original copies of all official score reports, including all subscore reports to the office of Graduate Admissions. Minimum acceptable scores are
| ETS 5712 Reading |
156 |
OR |
ETS 5710 Reading |
175 |
| ETS 5722 Writing |
162 |
OR |
ETS 5720 Writing |
173 |
| ETS 5732 Mathematics |
150
|
OR |
ETS 5730 Mathematics |
174 |
- Submit a valid United States current teaching license and certificate.
- Submit a current résumé including number of years' teaching experience.
- Schedule a program planning conference with a Graduate Program Advisor or the Program Chair.
After completing all of the above requirements, register for MED 6102 E-Folio.
Program Purpose
The Wilmington University's Master of Education Special Education: Instruction provides licensed educators who are interested in acquiring research-based skills, knowledge and practices in teaching students with disabilities. Students will identify two of the three following categories to pursue: K-12 Teacher of Students with Disabilities and/or Autism & Severe Intellectual Disabilities and/or Early Childhood/Exceptional Children. Candidates gain knowledge in practices related to instructional approaches, materials, and an integrated, comprehensive, balanced curriculum to support student learning in reading and writing; assessment strategies and practices to evaluate effective reading and writing instruction; awareness, understanding, respect, and a valuing of differences in our society; literate environments that foster reading and writing; and leadership and professional development opportunities.
Program Competencies
The program competencies adopted for the Master of Education in Special Education: Instruction: degree program are based on standards developed by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Standards, the Model Standards for Teacher Licensing, Assessment, and Development from The Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC 2011), Council of Chief State School Officers. The M.Ed. Special Education: Instruction degree program is designed to enable candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the program competency standards:
Program Competency Standard 1. Learner Development and Individual Learning Differences
The special education professionals understand how exceptionalities may interact with development and learning and use this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences for individuals with exceptionalities.
Program Competency Standard 2. Learning Environments
The special education professionals create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners and develop emotional well-being, positive social interactions, and self-determination.
Program Competency Standard 3. Curricular Content Knowledge
The special education professionals use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for individuals with exceptionalities.
Program Competency Standard 4. Assessment
The special education professionals use multiple methods of assessment and data-sources in making educational decisions.
Program Competency Standard 5. Instructional Planning and Strategies
The special education professionals select, adapt, and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning of individuals with exceptionalities.
Program Competency Standard 6. Professional Learning and Practice
The special education professionals use foundational knowledge of the field and their professional Ethical Principles and Practice Standards to inform special education practice, to engage in lifelong learning, and to advance the profession.
Program Competency Standard 7. Collaboration
The special education professionals collaborate with families, other educators, related service providers, individuals with exceptionalities, and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a range of learning experiences.
Outcomes Assessment
Multiple assessments are used to determine candidate growth toward achievement of the knowledge and skills described in the Master of Education Special Education: Instruction degree program competencies and the college-wide graduation competencies. Performance-based assessments are used to evaluate projects, assignments, and research papers. Goals, learning outcomes and activities, external assignments, and assessment strategies are linked directly to program and graduation competencies as stated on each course syllabus. Other assessment strategies may include coaching/mentoring sessions and observations of candidate performance in authentic settings.
Program Design
This 30-credit program consists of 15 credit hours of coursework from two separate categories of Special Education specialty areas focused on teaching and learning. The program requires that candidates be working in an educational setting or a training center to complete the program competency assignments. An effort is made to provide candidates with choices of course formats (traditional, hybrid or online) although this cannot be guaranteed. There is a non-credit E-Folio course requirement.
Course Requirements
Courses (30 credits-Select Two from the Following:)
Special Education Autism Severe Intellectual Disabilities Course Requirements (15 credits)
| MSE 7501 | Introduction to Autism & Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| MSE 7402 | Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| MSE 7506 | Functional Comm Indv with Autisim&Sever Disability | 3 |
| MSE 7409 | Methods of Instruction in Academic Standards and Functional Skills | 3 |
| MSE 7507 | Competency-based Practicum in Behaviorally-Based Teaching Techniques | 3 |
Special Education - Early Childhood Exceptional Children Course Requirements (15 credits)
| MSE 7502 | Educating Preschoolers with Special Needs | 3 |
| MSE 7603 | Assessment of Young Children | 3 |
| MSE 7605 | Differentiation of Instruction for Young Children | 3 |
| MSE 7607 | Emergent Literacy for Young Children | 3 |
| MSE 7407 | Collaboration/Teaming with Families & Communities | 3 |
Special Education K-12 Teacher of Students with Disabilities Courses (15 credits)
| MSE 7403 | Diagnosis/Assessment/IEP Development for Exceptionalities | 3 |
| MSE 7405 | Curriculum in Special Education | 3 |
| MSE 7402 | Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| MRD 7901 | Diagnosis/Assessment of Reading Difficulties for Non-Reading/Literacy Majors | 3 |
| MSE 8102 | Legislation and Implementation of Policy and Procedure | 3 |
Electives
| MSE 7404 | Assistive Technology (MH, SED, LD) | 3 |
| MSE 7406 | Transition Planning & Implementation for Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| MSE 7407 | Collaboration/Teaming with Families & Communities | 3 |
Qualification for Degree
To qualify for the Master of Education Special Education: Instruction degree, a candidate must successfully complete a minimum of 30 credit hours with a GPA of at least 3.0. The program must be completed within five years.
Delaware Certification Special Education K-12 Teacher of Students with Disabilities
Current Delaware Department of Education regulations (DE Title 14, §1571) permit individuals who hold an initial continuing, advanced license, or a Limited Standard, Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued by the Department prior to August 31, 2003, and who hold a Standard Certificate in a subject (content), grade level, or area, to apply for a State of Delaware Standard Certificate as a Special Education K-12 Teacher of Students who are Disabilities after successfully completing five (5) of the Wilmington University College of Education courses and earn a passing score on the ETS Praxis II, Test Code 5354, Special Education Content Knowledge.
However, certification requirements are subject to change by the Delaware Department of Education and the Professional Standards Board. The most recent information about those requirements can be accessed at the Delaware Department of Education/Professional Standards Board website.
Delaware Certification Special Education Autism/Severe Intellectual Disabilities
Current Delaware Department of Education regulations (DE Title 14, §1573) permit individuals who hold an initial continuing, advanced license, or a Limited Standard, Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued by the Department prior to August 31, 2003, and who hold a Standard Certificate in a subject (content), grade level, or area, to apply for a State of Delaware Standard Certificate as a Teacher of Students with Autism / Severe Intellectual Disabilities after successfully completing five (5) of the Wilmington University College of Education courses.
However, certification requirements are subject to change by the Delaware Department of Education and the Professional Standards Board. The most recent information about those requirements can be accessed at the Delaware Department of Education/Professional Standards Board website.
Delaware Certification in Special Education Early Childhood/Exceptional Children
Current Delaware Department of Education regulations (DE Title 14, §1570) permit individuals who hold an initial continuing, advanced license, or a Limited Standard, Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued by the Department prior to August 31, 2003, and who hold a Standard Certificate in a subject (content), grade level, or area, to apply for a State of Delaware Standard Certificate as a Special Education Early Childhood/ Exceptional Children after successfully completing five (5) of the Wilmington University College of Education courses.
However, certification requirements are subject to change by the Delaware Department of Education and the Professional Standards Board. The most recent information about those requirements can be accessed at the Delaware Department of Education/Professional Standards Board website.