The Saint Vincent College Master of Science Degree in Special Education provides specialized training in educating students with disabilities. With increased demands for special education teachers in our schools, this program is designed for candidates who are already special education certified or working in special education or a related area who are hoping to deepen their understanding of special education.  Candidates will explore assessment and instruction strategies and techniques for high-incidence, low-incidence and emotional support students with disabilities; develop skills for writing and implementing individualized education programs, evaluation reports and behavioral analyses; and investigate the laws and legislation relevant to special education. Candidates participate in dual-placement, high- and low-incidence practices to establish a firm understanding of the instructional concepts taught during the program. Candidates are given opportunities to collaborate as a community team member and as a pre-service teacher to encourage high- and low-incidence students and their parents to work together to produce and implement individualized education program goals, activities and objectives. Candidates will utilize research-based effective instructional strategies and diagnostic tools to demonstrate an understanding of child development while meeting the needs of various exceptionalities.

Candidates already possessing a bachelor's degree that are interested in obtaining a certification in special education should refer to the post baccalaureate teacher certification information. 

What Can I Do With a Masters in Special Education?

The Master of Science Degree in Special Education provides specialized training in educating students with disabilities. With increasing training in educating demands in our schools, this program has been developed to prepare educators to become additionally certified in special education. The program is designed for certified teachers who desire additional knowledge in the areas of special education.

Goalsspecial-education-goals
Goals
  • To provide quality instruction, scholarly achievement opportunities, best practices for the classroom, and diverse field practice for teaching and working with students with disabilities.
  • To offer opportunities to collaborate as a community team member and pre-service teacher to encourage high and low incidence students and their parents to work together to produce and implement individualized education program goals, activities and objectives.
  • To provide the necessary methods and field instruction for certified teachers to feel confident and prepared for the challenges of special education preK-8 or 7-12.
Currently Certified Special Educatorsspecial-education-currently-certified
Requirements for a Master of Science Degree in Special Education – For  Already Certified Special Educators

The Special Education Master’s degree has a second track for candidates already holding a certification in special education.  This track deepens professional knowledge in early intervention, transition, and theory.  This program can be completed in 21 months. At the close of the coursework, students take a comprehensive exam which is offered each term, thus enabling students to graduate year around.

Required Courses (30 Credits) Fall Start:
GCSE 607 Family and Professional Collaboration - 3 credits
GCSE 617 Diagnosis and Evaluation of Students with High Incidence Disabilities - 3 credits
GCSE 647 Advanced Topics-Clinical Applications in Applied Behavior Analysis - 3 credits
GCSE 667 Advanced Intervention Strategies in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics - 3 credits
GCSE 687 Teaching Students with Autistic Spectrum and Developmental Disorders - 3 credits
GCED 605 Statistics and Research Design - 3 credits
GCSE 727 Methods and Assessment of Life-Span Transition - 3 credits
GCSE 717 Typical and Atypical Growth and Development - 3 credits
GCSE 737 Special Education Law and Ethics - 3 credits
GCSE 747 Mental Health Issues and Special Education - 3 credits

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Admission Requirementsspecial-education-admission-req
Education Programs Admission Requirements
  1. Possess an earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Official transcripts must be submitted from each institution attended to the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education.
  2. Have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0. For a GPA lower than 3.0, applicants will be reviewed for provisional acceptance.
  3. Send three recommendations to the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education.
  4. Personal statement explaining your desire to obtain a graduate degree.
  5. Completed Application for Graduate Admission in Education. 
  • How to Apply
    Regular Admission 
    Possess an earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.  Official transcripts must be submitted from each institution attended to the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education. 
    1. Have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0. For a GPA lower than 3.0, applicants will be reviewed for provisional acceptance. 
    2. Send three recommendations to the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education. 
    3. Personal statement explaining your desire to obtain a graduate degree. 
    4. Submit completed Graduate School Application. 

    Provisional Acceptance 
    If a student does not meet the above requirements for regular admission to the graduate programs in education, consideration will be given for acceptance on a provisional basis.  The student will be required to maintain a 3.75 GPA over the course of completing three graduate classes.  If the student is able to maintain a 3.75 grade point average he/she will be reviewed for regular admission. A student within this status will not be allowed to take more than 9 credits of graduate coursework.  If the student is not able to maintain a 3.75 GPA after completing 9 credits of graduate coursework, regular admission will be denied.  The provisional acceptance will still allow a student to qualify for financial aid if needed. 

    Graduate Non-Degree Status 
    If a student does not want acceptance to a graduate program but would like to register for graduate classes the student may apply as a graduate non-degree seeking student.  This allows the student to register for up to 9 graduate credits without applying or being accepted to a program.  In order to register under this status a student must complete the graduate non-degree application and submit official transcripts to the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education.  Once this information is received the student will be contacted regarding registration for classes. A student within this status is not eligible for financial aid. 

    Note: The Graduate Non-Degree Status also serves the student who decides to apply to a program right before the semester begins without ample time to complete the application.  The student can begin taking classes as a Graduate Non-Degree student while completing the application for admission.