Special Education M.S.: Specialization for Teachers Seeking Cross Endorsement

Program Rationale:

The Master of Science in Special Education: Specialization for Teachers Seeking Cross Endorsement is designed to prepare general education teachers to possess the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions to develop effective teaching and learning environments for individuals with disabilities. Designed for students who have initial, provisional, or professional certification in elementary education or a 7-12 secondary subject certificate in biology, business, chemistry, earth science, English, history/social studies, mathematics, or physics, this Specialization leads to a master's degree and provides coursework that leads to a cross endorsement in Special Education. Students in this Specialization must have a current Connecticut teaching certification. The curriculum for this program is aligned with standards of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and meets certification requirements of the Connecticut State Department of Education.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students in this program will be expected to:

• demonstrate knowledge of foundational issues in special education and their impact on the field;
• demonstrate knowledge of the development and characteristics of learners, individual learning differences, and appropriate instructional strategies;
• promote effective learning environments and social interactions for individuals with disabilities;
• demonstrate knowledge of typical and atypical language development, cultural implications of language development, and alternative approaches to communication;
• further their knowledge of instructional planning, assessment, and collaboration to address the learning differences of individuals with a wider variety of academic problems;
• implement action research processes to contribute to improved special education services to individuals with disabilities; and
• promote professional and ethical practices in the field of special education.

Total Credit Hours: 41-42