General Program Information
Arnold Nyarambi, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator
412 Warf-Pickel Hall
Box 70547
(423) 439-7607
e-mail: nyarambi@etsu.edu
Faculty: Cynthia Chambers; Kristie Calvin; Luann Ley Davis; Pamela Mims; Arnold Nyarambi; Dawn Rowe; John Wheeler; Jingyuan Zhang.
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 four (3) 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 K-8 and 6-12 Interventionist.
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.
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.
- Meeting all requirements for admission to the Graduate School.
- 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.
Articulation Agreements
A student who applies and is accepted into the master’s program in Special Education with a concentration in Advanced Studies in Special Education, may apply up to eighteen (18) credits from the Special Education: Early Childhood Special Education Certificate Program as the certificate program’s coursework aligns with the master’s degree program.
A student who applies and is accepted into the master’s program in Special Education with a concentration in Advanced Studies in Special Education, may apply up to eighteen (18) credits from the Special Education: High Incidence Disabilities Certificate Program as the certificate program’s coursework aligns with the master’s degree program.
A student who applies and is accepted into the master’s program in Special Education with a concentration in Advanced Studies in Special Education, may apply up to eighteen (18) credits from the Special Education: Low Incidence Disabilities Certificate Program as the certificate program’s coursework aligns with the master’s degree program. Up to nine credits may be transferred from the Low Incidence Disabilities Certificate Program to another Special Education certificate program where applicable.