Special Education M.S.: For Initial Certification or Teachers Seeking Cross Endorsement in Special Education
Program Rationale:
The Master of Science in Special Education: Specialization for Initial Certification and Teachers Seeking Cross Endorsement serves two audiences: applicants who, after receiving an undergraduate degree that did not lead to teacher certification, want to pursue coursework leading to teacher certification in special education, as well as teachers who hold a current Connecticut Teaching Certificate in elementary, secondary, or K-12 education. This master's level Specialization provides coursework that leads to initial certification or a cross endorsement in Special Education. Nationally accredited by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), this program also meets certification requirements of the Connecticut State Department of Education.
Program Learning Outcomes:
1. Possess strong knowledge of content, content pedagogy, and learner development (typical and atypical).
2. Create an inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment.
3. Use data, content knowledge, and evidence-based pedagogical content knowledge to critically examine practice for the purpose of improving student learning.
4. Design and deliver instructional and assessment strategies that facilitate significant learning for all students including struggling learners and those with disabilities.
5. Design, deliver, and assess literacy/language strategies to deepen literacy and content learning.
6. Act collaboratively, ethically, and responsibly to ensure student growth and advance the profession.
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.
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
Prerequisites for students seeking initial certification: SPED 501 and LLA 509.
Core
| SPED 503 | Evidence-Based Practices for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| SPED 514/SPED 414 | Behavioral Assessment and Interventions | 3 |
| SPED 515 | Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 516 | Instructional Programming for Students with Exceptionalities | 3 |
| SPED 532 | Contemporary Issues in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 502 | Principles of Learning for Special Education | 3 |
Methods
| SPED 517/SPED 417 | Special Education Methods in Teaching Reading (K-12) | 3 |
| SPED 518 | Special Education Methods in Teaching Writing (K-12) | 3 |
| SPED 519/SPED 419 | Special Education Methods in Content Area Instruction (K-12) | 3 |
Student Teaching or Practicum
| SPED 521 | Student Teaching in Special Education - Elementary | 3 |
| SPED 522 | Student Teaching in Special Education - Secondary | 3 |
| or | |
| SPED 520 | Student Teaching Seminar | 1 |
| | |
| SPED 523 | Practicum in Special Education - Elementary | 2 |
| SPED 524 | Practicum in Special Education - Secondary | 2 |
| | |
| ED 582 | Supervision of Secondary School Teaching | 3 |
| ED 583 | Supervised Student Teaching | 3 |
SPED 520 to be taken concurrently with SPED 521, SPED 522, SPED 523, SPED 524, and ED 583.
Research and Capstone Requirements