Graduate Special Education

The special education specialization is unique in that three different pathways, or tracks, to a masters degree and/or certification are offered. Track 1 addresses the needs of educators who hold an Instructional I or II Certificate in Special Education. Track 2 addresses the needs of educators who already possess an Instructional I or II Certificate in Elementary Education. Educators pursing Track 3 hold and Instructional I or II, but not in Elementary or Special Education.

Candidates for certification must also meet requirements set by PDE. For example, they must satisfactorily complete the testing requirements set by PDE, and in some cases, the student teaching requirement.


Core Choose 12 credits
EDU 500	Issues in Education
EDU 504	Curriculum
EDU 510	Learning
EDU 515	Research Methods
EDU 567	Issues in Educational Technology
EDU 517	Special Education
EDU 539	Learning Strategies
EDU 509	Assessment
EDU 573	Teaching in ESL Programs: Theory and Practice

12 credits

*Required core course

Track 1
EDU 517	Special Education*
EDU 515	Research Methods*
EDU 526	Characteristics I
EDU 527	Characteristics II
EDU 528	Methods I
EDU 509	Assessment*
EDU 529	Methods II
EDU 519	Inclusion
EDU 539	Learning Strategies*
EDU 585	Special Topics
EDU 576	Masters Project (6 credits)

36 credits (including core courses)

Track 2
EDU 517	Special Education*
EDU 515	Research Methods*
EDU 526	Characteristics I
EDU 527	Characteristics II
EDU 528	Methods I
EDU 509	Assessment*
EDU 529	Methods II
EDU 519	Inclusion
EDU 539	Learning Strategies*
EDU 585	Special Topics
EDU 576	Masters Project (6 credits)
EDU 582	Observation and Practice (0-3 credits)

37 credits (including core courses)

Track 3
EDU 517	Special Education*
EDU 515	Research Methods*
EDU 526	Characteristics I
EDU 527	Characteristics II
EDU 528	Methods I
EDU 509	Assessment*
EDU 529	Methods II
EDU 519	Inclusion
EDU 539	Learning Strategies*
EDU 520	Reading Methods
EDU524	Writing/LA Methods
EDU 525	Math Methods
EDU 576	Masters Project (6 credits)
EDU 577	Field (0 credit)

43 credits (including core courses)

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