Special Education, M.Ed. (High Incidence Concentration)

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General Program Information

Graduate School Contact:

Fiona Goodyear; goodyear@etsu.edu; 423-439-6148

Cynthia Chambers, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator

421A Warf-Pickel Hall
Box 70548
(423) 439-7586
e-mail: chamberc@etsu.edu

Arnold Nyarami, Ph.D., Program Coordinator

310 Warf-Pickel Hall
Box 70548
(423) 439-7607
e-mail: nyarambi@etsu.edu

Cathy Galyon-Keramidas, Ed.D., Chair

423 Warf-Pickel Hall
Box 70548
(423) 439-7673
e-mail: galyonkerami@etsu.edu

Faculty:

Cynthia Chambers; James Fox; Kathy Greer; Tina Hudson; Cathy Keramidas; Lori Marks; Pamela Mims; Arnold Nyarambi; John Wheeler.

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 (4) concentrations.

High Incidence Concentration

This area of emphasis prepares individuals to teach students with high incidence disabilities, including learning disabilities, ADHD, and emotional behavior disorder. Emphasis is placed on implementing evidence-based instructional practices within the context of the least restrictive environment, collaborating with general education teachers to incorporate differentiated instruction, scaffolding, and accommodations that enable students to successfully access rigorous core content, and providing intensive intervention that addresses deficits in specific skill areas, such as reading, writing, mathematics, learning strategies and study skills, and behavior/social interactions. The high incidence concentration prepares candidates for Tennessee teaching license in modified special education.

Low Incidence Concentration

This area of emphasis prepares individuals to teach students with low incidence disabilities, including autism, moderate intellectual disability, and Down Syndrome. 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 curriculum based assessment methods. The low incidence concentration prepares candidates for Tennessee teaching license in 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 Studies in Special Education Concentration

This area of emphasis is designed for individuals 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 unconditionally with provisions with deficiencies to be met as stipulated by the program faculty.

Completion of all requirements for admission to the School of Graduate Studies.
Have minimum scores on one of the following:
1. 22 composite on the ACT (21 before 1989)
2. 1020 on the SAT (920 before April 1, 1995)
3. Passing scores on Praxis Core or each Praxis I subtest-Reading, Math, and Writing
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Submission of a 2-page essay outlining past experience with individuals with disabilities and goals for acquiring an advanced degree in Special Education.

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 within the special education high incidence concentration, low incidence concentration 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 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: 12 credit hours

EDFN 5950 - Methods of Research (3 credits)
SPED 5401 - Research and Practice in Positive Behavioral Supports (3 credit hours)
SPED 5445 - Medical Aspects and Applications of Assistive Technology (3 credits)
SPED 5753 - Programming for Individuals with Exceptional Learning Needs (3 credit hours)

High Incidence Concentration: 33 credit hours

SPED 5301 - Instructional Methodology for Exceptional Learning Needs (3 credit hours)
SPED 5302 - Family and Professional Partnerships (3 credits)
SPED 5425 - Pre-Residency: The First 6-weeks of School (1 credit hour)
SPED 5467 - Teaching Math to Students with Mild/Moderate Exceptional Learning Needs (3 credit hours)
SPED 5470 - Assessment of Exceptional Learning Needs (3 credits)
SPED 5497 - Teaching and Learning Strategies for Exceptional Learning Needs (3 credits)
SPED 5500 - History, Issues and Trends in Educating Exceptional Learners (3 credits)
SPED 5710 - Residency I in Special Education (3 credit hours)
SPED 5757 - Evidence-Based Instruction in Reading and Language Arts (3 credits)
SPED 5825 - Preclinical Experience in Special Education (1 credit) (Take 2 times for a total of 2 credit hours)
SPED 5850 - Residency II and Seminar in Special Education (6 credits)