Special Education (SED) MS

School-Based Program with Certification

The graduate program in special education offers candidates the opportunity to join the ranks of professionals who are committed to ensuring that all children and adolescents, including those with identified disabilities, receive a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. The program emphasizes a strength-based perspective and is founded on the standards on the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Candidates develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of accomplished special educators.

McDaniel College offers a 38-credit hour Master of Science degree in Special Education. Master’s degree candidates may also elect to pursue initial certification in special education at the elementary (grades 1-8) and secondary (grades 6-12) levels. Candidates complete a capstone portfolio for the program; master’s only students may elect to complete a thesis in lieu of the portfolio. Candidates interested in certification should meet with the Program Coordinator to review certification and field-based requirements.

The Special Education program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE.) Pennsylvania State Department of Education guidelines are addressed during the advisement process for students seeking employment and/or licensure in Pennsylvania.

Admissions Requirements

Initial Admission

Candidates required to submit:

application for graduate study with non-refundable fee
official transcripts conferring bachelors degree (minimum 3.0* GPA) from an accredited institution
three reference forms
Praxis I test scores that meet MSDE minimum score requirements

*Students not meeting this criterion may be admitted to the program on a conditional basis. Full acceptance status will be reviewed after the student has completed 9 credits in the program.

To begin the program, candidates must meet with program coordinator to develop an initial 9-credit preliminary plan or study.

Full Acceptance

Successfully complete nine graduate credits at McDaniel College with a minimum GPA of 3.0. (at least one course must be in Special Education)
Review full acceptance documentation and develop a Program Plan for remaining coursework with the program coordinator

Courses

Candidates complete coursework in Foundation Knowledge and Special Education, as well as meeting state certification and fieldwork requirements as appropriate.

Foundation Sequence

PSY 502 - Human Growth and Development: Child
PSY 503 - Human Growth and Development: Adolescent
SED 500 - Introduction to Special Education
SED 501 - Instructional Models and Learning Theories for Exceptional Students
5 credit sequence of research coursework

Special Education Sequence

Certification Sequence

Coursework is chosen in consultation with the Program Coordinator and is determined by the candidate;s orior experience and certification level sought. Relevant coursework includes:

CUR 509 - Monitoring and Aligning Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
CUR 512 - Curriculum Analysis and Planning
RDG 521 - Reading Processes and Acquisition
RDG 522 - Balanced Literacy Instruction
RDG 523 - Assessment for Reading Instruction
RDG 524 - Materials for Reading Instruction
RDG 532 - Reading in the Content Areas: Part I
RDG 534 - Reading in Content Areas: Part II
Master’s only students may select electives from the Certification Sequence or other courses as approved by the Program Coordinator.

Fieldwork and Capstone Sequence

All content coursework must be completed before students may enter fieldwork and capstone experiences. In addition, students must submit passing Praxis II scores before entering fieldwork.