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:

1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of foundational issues in special education and their impact on the field.
2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the development and characteristics of learners, individual learning differences, and appropriate instructional strategies.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze multiple forms of standardized and curriculum-based assessments and use that information for a variety of educational decisions.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to use their knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for students with exceptional learning needs.
5. Students will demonstrate the ability to select, adopt, and use instructional strategies to promote learning and to modify learning environments for students with exceptional learning needs.
6. Students will promote professional, ethical, and collaborative practices in the field of special education.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Applicants must also have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.70 on a 4.00 point scale (where A is 4.00) or its equivalent, and good standing (3.00 GPA) in all post-baccalaureate course work.

The admissions application, application fee, and official transcripts from each college and university attended (except Central Connecticut State University) must be submitted to the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Office.

Contact: 860-832-2400

Total Credit Hours: 38-40