2026-2027 Graduate Catalog

The commitment to educate the community and future educators has a long-standing history at McDaniel College. This translates across all graduate master’s and certificate programs as we recognize and understand that the need to learn never ends, especially among adults. To that end, the GPS Catalog is intended to guide you through your education while at McDaniel College. You will find it to be a helpful tool as well as the requirements to which you’re bound through the duration of your work.

AAQEP - Education Program Accreditation

McDaniel College is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The programs listed below have been awarded initial accreditation status by AAQEP through June 30, 2029. Accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.

AAQEP-Accredited Graduate and Professional Studies Programs at McDaniel College:

• Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling)
• Master of Science in Education of the Deaf
• Master of Science in Educational Leadership
• Master of Science in Innovations in Teaching and Learning
• Master of Science in Reading Specialist: Literacy Leadership
• Master of Science in School Librarianship
• Master of Science in Special Education
• Master of Science in Teaching
• Master of Science in TESOL
• Educational Leadership Post-bachelor’sCertificate
• Gifted and Talented Education Specialist (GATES) Post-bachelor’s Certificate
• Secondary/PK12 Initial Licensure Post-bachelor’s Certificate
• Special Education Initial Licenusre Post-bachelor’s Certificate

Occupational Therapy Program
McDaniel’s Master of Science (M.S.) in Occupational Therapy has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. 

Speech-Language Pathology Accreditation Status Statement (Candidacy Phase)
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech Language Pathology (residential) at McDaniel College is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. Candidacy is a “preaccreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of 5 years.

The College is authorized to operate in the state of Maryland by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), 6 North Liberty Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, 410-767-3301. All degree programs are approved by MHEC.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, State Approving Agency (VA-SAA), Maryland Higher Education Commission, 6 North Liberty Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. 410-767-3300.

The catalog is published for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between the student and McDaniel College. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of information contained herein, the College reserves the right to revise programs, courses, policies, procedures, fees, requirements, and regulations at any time. Such changes may become effective immediately and may apply to current and prospective students. Changes communicated through official College publications, notices, or the College website supersede information contained in this catalog.

Students are responsible for understanding and complying with college policies, academic regulations, and program requirements. Responsibility for planning an academic program, registering for courses, monitoring academic progress, meeting completion requirements, and complying with institutional policies rests ultimately with the student. Faculty, advisors, program coordinators, and College staff are available to provide guidance; however, the responsibility for fulfilling all program requirements remains with the student. 

Catalog Publication Date: October 1, 2026

McDaniel College values the safety of all members of the College community. The McDaniel College Annual Security and Fire Safety Report provides crime statistics for the prior three years, policy statements regarding various safety and security measures, campus crime prevention program descriptions, and procedures to be followed in the investigation and adjudication of reportable crimes. A paper copy of the document is available at the Department of Campus Safety or by calling 410-857-2202. The Clery Report can be downloaded here.

Contact Information

McDaniel College
2 College Hill
Westminster, MD 21157-4390
410-848-7000
Home page: www.mcdaniel.edu

Questions regarding academic records, registration, degree requirements, or catalog content should be directed to the Registrar’s Office, regoffice@mcdaniel.edu.

McDaniel College is committed to maintaining a community in which all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This commitment applies to all aspects of College operations, including admissions, educational programs, employment, financial aid, student activities, housing, and access to institutional resources.

Governance and Degree-Granting Authority

McDaniel College operates under the authority of its Board of Trustees and is authorized by the State of Maryland to offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The Board of Trustees reserves the authority to establish, revise, and interpret institutional policies, regulations, and academic requirements consistent with the mission and strategic priorities of the College.

Professional Licensure

Requirements for professional licensure in fields such as accounting, education, counseling, psychology, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology and social work vary from state to state. McDaniel’s academic programs are designed to meet Maryland’s licensure requirements and may not meet requirements from other states. Before beginning any academic program that leads to licensure, McDaniel highly recommends that students contact the appropriate state licensing board where they wish to seek licensure to determine whether the program they are considering will meet that state’s licensing requirements. Students may also contact McDaniel’s Professional Licensure Representative at gps@mcdaniel.edu to inquire.

For more important information regarding professional licensure and the completion of McDaniel degrees, please review our Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement.