Overview
Contact: Michelle Concepcion
Options:
- Specialty Endorsement (For Certified Teachers)
- Initial Certification – Special Education
The Master of Science 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 minimum 36-credit hour Master of Science degree in Special Education. The Program is open to candidates who are not seeking certification as well as those who are seeking initial certification. Candidates seeking Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) teaching certification at the elementary (1-8) levels and secondary (6-12) levels are usually accredited teachers. Candidates interested in initial teacher certification track will be required to meet all requirements of the special education master’s degree and will be required to take additional credits required for initial teacher certification, including completion of the Maryland State Department of Education practicum/internship requirements. .
The Special Education program is accredited by the Council for Accrediation of Education Preparation, formerly NCATE, and approved by the MSDE. Students seeking special education endorsement or initial teacher certification in states outside of Maryland should check with this state’s board for more information regarding education, testing, and other requirements for licensure. McDaniel cannot confirm whether this program meets the educational requirements to obtain initial or specialty licensure outside of the state of Maryland.
Admissions Requirements
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 reviewed on an individual basis for admission to this program.
To begin the program, candidates must meet with program coordinator to develop an initial 9-credit preliminary plan or study.
The program also offers initial special education certification to candidates who are not accredited teachers but have some experience in special education.
