Special Education, M.Ed. (Advanced Practitioner Concentration)

General Program Information

Graduate School Contact:

Robin O’Dell; odell@etsu.edu; 423-439-6148

James J. Fox, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator

214 Warf-Pickel Hall
Box 70548
(423) 439-7556
e-mail: foxj@etsu.edu

Cynthia Chambers, Ph.D., Program Coordinator

428 Warf-Pickel Hall
Box 70548
(423) 439-7686
e-mail: chamberc@etsu.edu

Patricia E. Robertson, Ed.D., Chair

301E Warf-Pickel Hall
Box 70548
(423) 439-7693
e-mail: robertpe@etsu.edu

Faculty:

Wesley Brown, Cynthia Chambers; James Fox; Cynthia Hales; Lori Marks; Arnold Nyarunbi; Alma Watson.

The area of Special Education (SPED) offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree for the advanced preparation of personnel to serve children, youth, and adults who have disabilities. The program offers three (3) concentrations.

Special Education Concentration

This area of emphasis is designed to prepare individuals to teach students with mild to severe disabilities, including autism, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, behavioral disorders, and moderate to severe mental retardation. Emphasis is placed on teaching students with a variety of needs within the context of the least restrictive environment, developing collaboration and consultation skills, incorporating assistive technology and using curriculumbased assessment methods. The special education concentration prepares candidates for Tennessee teaching license in modified and comprehensive special education.

Early Childhood Special Education Concentration

This area of emphasis is designed to prepare individuals to teach young children (birth - 8 years) with disabilities and to work effectively with their families. This concentration prepares candidates for Tennessee licensure in early childhood special education.

Advanced Practitioner Concentration

This area of emphasis is designed to prepare individuals who are not  seeking initial special education licensure, but who are interested in obtaining an advanced degree in special education. Coursework in this concentration is based upon the interests and needs of each student.

Program Admission Requirements

Admission Standards—Applicants who meet the following criteria may be admitted unconditionally. Those who do not meet the criteria may be admitted conditionally, with deficiencies to be met as stipulated by the program faculty.

1. Completion of all requirements for admission to the School of Graduate Studies.
2. Completion of the PRAXIS I with a passing score.
3. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
4. Non-teaching personnel in a field ancillary to special education may pursue a SPED master’s degree without the prerequisite teaching credentials.

Initial Licensure in Special Education

Those persons seeking initial licensure in special education who have a baccalaureate degree but are not currently eligible for teacher licensure will follow the program of study designed to meet the state of Tennessee’s teacher licensure requirements for the special education concentration (SPED) or early childhood special education concentration (ECSE). Students admitted to the graduate program must successfully complete all applicable tests including the Praxis I and Praxis II. Deficiency coursework may be required, and may be taken at either the graduate or undergraduate level. Admission to the College of Education must be completed two semesters prior to student teaching. Students who have a Tennessee state teaching license and are entering the graduate program are admitted to the College of Education as part of their admission to the School of Graduate Studies. Deficiency coursework may not be applied toward requirements for completion of a master’s degree. All students pursuing an initial licensure will student teach for 15 weeks.

Major Field Core Courses

(Required for all master’s degree students)

• SPED 5001 - Critical Issues in Special Education (3 credits)
• SPED 5545 - Incorporating Assistive Technology Into the Curriculum (3 credits)
• SPED 5487 - Collaboration with Families, Agencies and Schools (3 credits)
• EDFN 5950 - Methods of Research (3 credits)
• EDFN 5010 - Interdisciplinary Seminar (1 credit, may be repeated for a total of 3 credits)

Advanced Practitioner Concentration

This concentration is primarily designed for persons interested in in-depth studies leading to a master’s degree in special education. It does not prepare candidates for initial licensure in special education.

• Special Education Electives or Approved Coursework (21 credits)
• SPED 5560 - Advanced Practicum in Special Education (3 credits)

Total Hours for the M.Ed. (minimum): 37 Credit Hours

Additional Licensure Requirements

Completion of the above program requirements provides training for additional licensure for individuals who are currently licensed in special education in Tennessee. Individuals in the special education concentration who do not already have a professional education licensure but desire to obtain the license must complete the courses in BOTH sections 1 & 2.