Master of Education – M. Ed. Special Education

The program for the Master of Education in Special Education prepares special education teachers to effectively interact with a variety of students with intellectual disabilities in grades K-12. Special emphasis is placed on transition planning, curriculum implementation and assessment. Candidates have a choice to complete a thesis, product of learning or internship capstone experience. Completion of the degree program may lead to “M” level licensure in Adaptive Curriculum by passing the Praxis II exam.

Admission Terms: Fall (August); Spring (January); Summer (June)

Deadlines for Application Materials:

Visit the Admissions Information page for degree admission deadlines.

Application Materials:

Applicants must have a four-year bachelor’s degree in Special Education K –12 from a regionally accredited college. For applicants with teaching licenses in other areas, successful completion of the Foundations of Reading and General Curriculum exams is required. The General Curriculum exam is made up of two sub tests, Math and Multi-subjects. In addition, Praxis II 5543: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications (effective 10-1-14). This must be submitted to the School of Education by the end of the first six hours of graduate course work. In addition, applicants should have an acceptable GPA (3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale). An admission decision takes into consideration the applicant’s GPA, completed course work, professional work experience, personal and professional goals for the degree, as well as the information provided by references.

Required materials include:

• online application with a nonrefundable $50 application fee
• an official transcript from all colleges attended (excluding High Point University). If you have attended High Point University you must include it on your application. The Norcross Graduate School will request that transcript for you once application is submitted.
• resume
• essay about interest in the program and goals for the degree
• three professional references
• copy of current K-12 teaching license in Special Education

Exceptions to any admission requirement may be considered under special circumstances.

Special Education Program (36 hours)

Core Courses (12 hours)

• EDU 5010 – Advanced Instructional Technology for the 21st Century
• EDU 5040 – Multicultural Education in a Diverse Society**
• EDU 5060 – Developing Leaders in 21st Century Schools
• EDU 5090 – Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities: Legal, Ethical and Historical Perspectives

Instructional Courses

Concentration in Teaching (18 hours)

• EDU 5141 – Curriculum Assessment and Planning for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
• EDU 5142 – Instructional and Transition Planning for Elem. Students with Intellectual Disabilities
• EDU 5143 – Occupational and Transition Planning for Secondary Students with Intellectual Disabilities
• EDU 5144 – Consultation and Collaboration with Families and Community Agencies
• EDU 5145 – Technology and Instructional Support for the 21st Century Classroom
• EDU 5146 – Building Self-Determination and Advocacy Skills in Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

Capstone Experience (6 hours)

Choose between:

• EDU 5030 – Methods of Educational Research
• EDU 5300 – Product of Learning

OR

• EDU 5030 – Methods of Educational Research
• EDU 5200 – Thesis

OR

• EDU 5030* – Methods of Educational Research
• EDU 5240* – Clinical Internship

*Leads to license in Program EC Administrators. Students selecting this capstone track must also complete the following three courses in Educational Leadership in order to be eligible for the EC Program Administrator license:

1) EDU 5171 Strategies for Student Learning and Development;

2) EDU 5172 Implementing Distributed Leadership for Teacher Empowerment;

3) EDU 5174 Organizational Management and Legal Issues for 21st Century Schools.

** Candidates who have had a prior undergraduate course in Multicultural Education will not be required to take EDU 5040 but can substitute with EDU 5080.