M.Ed. in Special Education
The Master of Education degree program in Special Education is designed to develop
teachers and teacher leaders with skills, knowledge, and attitudes to effect positive
changes in the educational careers of young children with special needs. The program
activities and objectives within the courses are developed to focus on the standards
of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the Council for Exceptional Children, the Blue Ribbon Commission and the
Louisiana Components of Effective Teaching.
The program provides candidates with regular education certification and the preparation
to become dynamic teacher leaders through a course of study which requires application
and analysis of research principles. Candidates will select a course sequence which
leads to endorsement in one of two areas of special education: Mild/Moderate (Grades
1-5, where most students are identified as having special education needs), or Early
Intervention (Birth to 8 Years, to remediate or lessen the effects of early problems).
The program participants enter as a cohort group and proceed through the core classes
as a group before selecting their concentrations. In an effort to develop effective
teacher leaders, program
candidates will be involved in activities that involve the design and implementation
of staff development and mentoring workshops. These include on-line experiences, sessions
at partnership schools, community sites, or the candidates’ schools, leading to proposals
and presentations at professional conferences. Candidates have the opportunity to
select either the thesis option or the non-thesis option.
The sequence is designed to create graduates who can: 1. prepare for student learning
through knowledge of subject matter, knowledge of student development, effective communication, and respect for diversity; 2. advance and support student learning
through the use of supportive academic and social environments, multiple pathways
for learning and assessment, use of multiple instructional resources, and development
and maintenance of family, educational and community partnerships; and 3. engage in
professional development and outreach through school-based research, contributions
to the professional and engaging in reflective practice.
To qualify for admission to the program, candidates must be admitted to the School
of Graduate Studies at Grambling State University. Additionally, they must be certified
or licensed to teach with the equivalent of a Level I certificate in the state of
Louisiana. They must also successfully complete an interview for admission to the
program. Additionally, those candidates in the M.Ed. program in Early Intervention,
or Mild/Moderate 1-5 who cannot show that they have taken 9 hours in reading must
add these courses at the graduate or undergraduate level before completing the degree
and endorsement.
Emphasis is placed on inquiry-based approaches to learning. All candidates are given
opportunities to analyze research, as well as conduct action research projects in
areas of interest. All candidates complete 15 hours of core courses, 18 hours in
a concentration, a professional writing course, and the comprehensive examination.
Both a non-thesis option and a thesis option are available. Those choosing a thesis
option complete a 3-hour thesis course and one (1) selective course. For the non-thesis
option, candidates complete 6-hours of graduate courses in an area of interest. The
concentration is the same for both thesis and non-thesis options
All candidates will be expected to maintain a 3.0 graduate grade point average to
remain in good standing. Those who do not will be subject to the sanctions of the
School of Graduate Studies. All candidates seeking the endorsement must maintain
a grade point average > 2.5 and have no grade lower than a “C” in the endorsement sequence courses to receive
the endorsement to the teaching certificate. Because the specialization sequence leads
to the endorsement, any changes in state requirements may result in necessary changes
to the plan of study before completion in order to meet state mandates.
All candidates must register for and pass ED 599, the Comprehensive Examination, before
the degree will be awarded. All candidates must take and pass the Comprehensive Exam
which consists of five (5) essay questions from the candidate’s area of concentration.
Passage is determined by successfully completing 4 of the 5 questions.
If candidates are adding a special education endorsement to existing teaching certificates,
they must enroll in the course sequence required by the state for endorsement certification
and take and pass any licensure examination(s) required for the endorsement prior
to graduation.
Master of Education in Special Education Curriculum Plan
Areas of Concentration
Concentration areas lead to the Endorsement in Mild/Moderate (Grades1-5 or Grades
6-12) or Early Intervention.
Mild/Moderate
Early Intervention
|
Special Education 530
|
3
|
|
Special Education 532
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3
|
|
Special Education 535
|
3
|
|
Education 563
|
3
|
|
Education 505* or Special Education 570**
|
3
|
|
Special Education 527
|
3
|
|
Special Education 542
|
3
|
|
Special Education 543 or 568
|
3
|
|
Special Education 576
|
3
|
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*required for Mild/Moderate 1-5
|
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**required for Mild/Moderate 6-12
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