Special Education M.S.: Specialization for Special Education Teachers

Program Rationale:

This program is designed for students who already hold a certification in special education. In this specialization students take course work designed to broaden and/or deepen their knowledge of the field. The curriculum for this program is aligned with the standards of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).

Program Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of foundational issues in special education and their impact on the field.
2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the development and characteristics of learners, individual learning differences, and appropriate instructional strategies.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze multiple forms of standardized and curriculum-based assessments and use that information for a variety of educational decisions.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to use their knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for students with exceptional learning needs.
5. Students will demonstrate the ability to select, adopt, and use instructional strategies to promote learning and to modify learning environments for students with exceptional learning needs.
6. Students will promote professional, ethical, and collaborative practices in the field of special education.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Applicants must also have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.70 on a 4.00 point scale (where A is 4.00), or its equivalent, and good standing (3.00 GPA) in all post-baccalaureate course work. Teacher Certification Required.

The admissions application, application fee, and official transcripts from each college and university attended (except Central Connecticut State University) must be submitted to the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Office.

Contact: 860-832-2400

Requirements

Electives

Students take 15 credits of advanced-level course work in special education. Up to 6 credits of related course work from other departments may be included at the advisor's discretion.

Total Credit Hours:

15

Research and Capstone Requirements

SPED 598	Research in Special Education	3
SPED 596	Designing Action Research in Special Education (Plan E)	3
SPED 597	Implementing and Documenting Action Research in Special Education	3
Total Credit Hours:		9

SPED 596 and SPED 597: Plan E

Total Credit Hours: 30