Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Special Education General Curriculum
Program Highlights & Benefits
Synchronous online format for flexibility and convenience
20 month completion time, including breaks
No GRE or admission tests
No weekend classes
For
Special Education certified teachers with a desire to become more effective in the classroom. Teachers who hold a professional certificate in another content area but have an interest in Special Education will not be eligible for admittance or a certification upgrade until passing the GACE.
How You Learn
This program is available in synchronous online format.
Synchronous Online Option: This is a fully online cohort. For five nights out of each 8-week course, an online class session will be held from 5:45 to 8:45 p.m. during which you are required to sign in and actively participate. These synchronous online class meetings will be supplemented by additional online activities which may include assignments, webinars or chats, materials, discussion threads, assessments and/or group activities completed electronically outside of class. Following this schedule, you will complete the program in less than 2 years.
*Admission to graduate programs at Thomas University is determined by reviewing a combination of factors including the candidate’s GPA, references, work experience and statement of purpose. Additional documents and/or interview may be requested as part of the admission process. The GPA will be considered in context of the cumulative GPA for that bachelor’s degree, work experience, relevant credentials, other undergraduate and graduate course work, the strength of the student’s personal and professional goal statements, reference letters, and academic history. Applicants may be required to take a three (3) credit hour writing course and/or additional requirements as deemed appropriate by the Division. Applicants with a cumulative GPA lower than 2.75 may be considered for admission by the prospective graduate division. Consult with your admission representative.
Career Outcomes
Candidates who successfully complete this program and other requirements of the state certification agency (PSC) may be eligible for Georgia Level 5 certification. Teachers with certification in this area are infield to teach students in grades P-12 with disabilities who receive instruction using the general education curriculum and participate in the general statewide assessment, as well as students in special education preschool (ages 3-5 years).
Degree Requirements
| Course # | Title | Hours |
| EDU 600 | Introduction to Graduate Programs | 3 |
| EDU 603 | Best Practices in Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| EDU 610 | Educational Research Methods | 3 |
| EDU 612 | Teacher as a Researcher | 3 |
| EDU 613 | Curriculum Design and Development for Student Achievement | 3 |
| EDU 620 | Applying Technologies for Effective Instruction | 3 |
| EDU 624 | Collaborative Classrooms through Social Emotional Learning | 3 |
| EDU 625 | Diversity & Exceptionality in the 21st Century Classroom | 3 |
| EDU 648 | Policies and Procedures in Special Education | 3 |
| EDU 649 | Advanced Curriculum Development, Instruction, and Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| EDU 650 | Seminar in Special Education: Current Trends and Issues | 3 |
| EDU 699 | Advanced Program Completion | .5 |
| Total Hours: | 33.5 |
Please Note:
This course outline is tentative and is subject to change. Courses may be offered in a different order than outlined above.
Admissions Requirements
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from a regionally accredited college or University.
- Possess a valid, level 4 or higher Induction, Professional, Advanced Professional, or Lead Professional teaching certificate in the field for which the candidate is seeking an advanced degree.
- Be currently employed in a full-time position in a PK-12 school as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, or related leadership position. Under special circumstances a student may be considered for admissions who is not employed in a full-time PK-12 position but will be required to have regular clinical access to a classroom. The admissions decision rests with the Program Director of the program for which the applicant is applying.
- Report a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 credit hours of their bachelor’s degree or undergraduate coursework considered in context of the GPA for that bachelor’s degree, and in any other graduate coursework. Applicants with a GPA lower than 2.75 may be considered for provisional admission by the prospective Graduate Council. Any candidate provisionally admitted may be required to take a 3- credit hour writing course, and other requirements may be prescribed by the Division and/or Graduate Council.
- Required program of study courses submitted for transfer credit older than 5 years will be reviewed by the Program Director or Division Chair for acceptance of transfer credit.
Along with proof of the above criteria, prospective candidates are required to submit the following along with their application for Graduate Admissions:
- A personal statement of career and educational objectives, including the rationale for pursuing a graduate degree (maximum two pages). Applicants must explain the circumstances surrounding any ethics reprimand on their certificates and/or a GPA below 2.75.
- Official transcripts from all institutions where a degree was awarded and all institutions where graduate coursework was completed, even if a degree was not awarded, to be forwarded directly from the schools attended to the Thomas University Office of Admissions.
- Three professional or academic references (2 colleagues and 1 administrator/supervisor).
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