Master of Education in Special Education

The Master of Education in Special Education degree prepares the master’s level student with knowledge, understanding, and abilities in the field of special education, EC-12. The MED in Special Education program provides the framework for effective communication and partnership, personnel management, assessment, instruction, and compliance with federal and state regulations. The 36-hour, non-thesis general Special Education program consists of 18 hours of special education academic specialization, 9 hours in the professional area, and 9 hours in the resource area.

In accordance with the national governing agency, Council for Exceptional Children, all candidates must have certification in EC-6, English language arts, math, science or history to be considered a “highly qualified special education teacher.”

ADMISSION

There are no additional requirements other than those required for admission to the graduate program at DBU.

ADMISSION TO THE GRADUATE EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM

The College of Education graduate program directors provide guidance and provides support in areas such as advising, registration, monitoring your program and to offer support in your spiritual, academic, and professional walk.

Although you have been admitted to the University, it is your responsibility to complete the criteria as outlined in the Notice of Requirements document in order to become officially accepted and admitted to the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education Educator Preparation Program (EPP). Prior to applying to the Educator Preparation Program, a degree plan must be selected by the candidate and a College of Education program director/advisor. The College of Education faculty and staff are dedicated in helping you achieve academic success and assist you in achieving your educational goals.

Graduate candidates wishing to officially enter the Educator Preparation Program should review and comply with the requirements by the end of their first semester. Considerations will be based on the following criteria:

·  Upon completion of the requirements, the Educator Preparation Program Admissions Committee will meet to determine continued eligibility and candidates will be notified of their decision.

·  The GRE or MAT may be waived if a candidate maintains an A- or better during the first 12 hours of the program. If you have already taken the GRE or MAT, please submit the official scores to the graduate office at graduate@dbu.edu.

·  Grade Point Average of 3.0 and a minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average at the time of application to the program

·   Teacher Service Record submitted if applicable (Blackboard submission)

·   Completion of the admission interview with the Graduate EPP Committee.

·   DBU admission letter signed and submitted

·   Signed and submitted both FERPA forms. (Blackboard submission)

·  Signed and submitted the Educator Code of Ethics. (Blackboard submission)

·  Signed and submitted Notice of Requirements (Blackboard submission)

·   Signed and submitted TExES testing guidelines (Blackboard submission)

·  Acknowledgment of Graduate Handbook (blackboard submission)     

·  Upon receipt of a letter of admission to the Educator Preparation Program, candidate must provide a written response acknowledging the acceptance of admittance to the program.

Other Requirements

·   The 3.0 GPA criteria must be maintained to remain in the program.

·  Candidates admitted to the Graduate Educator Preparation Program are required to upload the documents listed above

REQUISITES 

Entrance requirements for graduate programs in the College of Education must be met, including having at least two years of credible teaching experience in an EC-12 public or private school by the time the candidate has completed the necessary coursework and is ready to take the appropriate certification examinations. A copy of the teacher candidate’s service record will be required to substantiate the teaching experience requirement prior to recommending the teacher candidate to register for the state certification examinations.

PROGRAM CONTINUANCE

Continuance in the program past the first 12 hours is pending submission of a satisfactory score on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Examinations® (GRE®).

A waiver of the GRE or MAT requirement may be considered if the student meets one of the following conditions:

• earns an “A-“ or higher in each of the first four courses (12 hours) of graduate coursework in the DBU College of Education, or

• holds a Bachelor’s degree from the DBU College of Education earned within the past five years with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher, or

• holds a Master’s degree from DBU.

• Students seeking teacher certification will be required to complete two (2) seminars in preparation for the TExES exams.

• Students seeking teacher certification will complete Student Teaching or Internship in Teaching I and Internship in Teaching II (6 hours credit).

ADMISSION REVIEW DISMISSAL (ARD) FACILITATOR SPECIALIZATION

The Master of Education in Special Education with ARD Facilitator Specialization prepares the master’s level student with knowledge, understanding, and skills in the field of special education with emphasis on ARD facilitation. The program provides the framework for effective communication, networking with educators, professionals, and families, instructional needs, and compliance with federal and state regulations. The 30-hour, non-thesis program consists of 12 hours of special education specialization, 12 hours in the professional area, and 6 hours in the resource area.

Note: Students are encouraged to apply for the educational diagnostician certification program upon completion of this MED That program consists of an additional three courses, SPED 6330 Comprehensive Assessments, SPED 6340 Individual Diagnostic Practicum I, and SPED 6350 Individual Assessment Practicum II.

DIAGNOSTICIAN SPECIALIZATION

The Master of Education in Special Education with Diagnostician’s Specialization degree prepares the master’s level student with knowledge, understanding, and abilities in the field of special education with emphasis placed on diagnostician knowledge and skills. The program provides the framework for effective communication and partnership, assessment, instruction, and compliance with federal and state regulations. The 36-hour, non-thesis program consists of 15 hours of special education academic specialization, 15 hours in the professional area, and 6 hours in the resource area. The MED in Special Education with Diagnostician’s Specialization leads to Texas diagnostician’s certification.

In accordance with the national governing agency, Council for Exceptional Children, all candidates must have certification in EC-6, English language arts, math, science or history to be considered a “highly qualified special education teacher.” Diagnostician candidates must hold one of these content area certifications and professional roles/responsibilities certification before being accepted to this master’s program.

Master of Education Practicum

The practicum experience consists of two courses. The practicums are an extensive supervised experience at a field site comprising the final component of the comprehensive preparation program. It is designed to bring together all the experiences, skills, and knowledge gained through the coursework and experiences of the program. Candidates will be expected to attend a practicum orientation and fulfill all required practicum documents prior to approval of a designated site. Students must earn a 3.0 GPA  in order to progress to Practicum II/Internship.

 Offered Fall and Spring.

Refer to course descriptions in the back of this catalog for course requisites.

(S-L) = Course(s) with field-based service-learning component.

MONTESSORI INCLUSION SPECIALIZATION  

The Master of Education in Special Education with Montessori Inclusion Specialization degree prepares the master’s level student with knowledge, understanding, and skills in the field of special education in Montessori settings. The program provides the framework for effective teaching, learning, and general evaluations in Montessori inclusion classrooms. The 30-hour non-thesis program consists of 15 hours of special education academic specialization, 6 hours in the professional area, and 9 hours in the resource area.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION GRADUATE DEFENSE OF DEGREE

Because of Dallas Baptist University’s quest for meaningful assessment of graduate candidates, a defense of degree is required in all College of Education Graduate Programs. The defense of degree is a capstone collection of signature assessments and artifacts with reflections that demonstrate a candidate’s personal growth, development, and acquisition of knowledge, skills, and dispositions.

A web-based format will be utilized by the candidate to enhance the presentation and to justify why the degree should be awarded to the candidate. The candidate’s formal defense will be presented to members of the Defense of Degree Committee and will take place on the main campus each semester.

Candidates must register for the Defense of Degree course as prescribed in their degree plan during the semester in which they will present their defense of degree. Practicing teachers, administrators, consultants, superintendents, guidance directors, personnel directors, and Educational Region Service Center personnel, as well as DBU professors and administrators, volunteer their time for this highly selective process.

NON-CERTIFICATION SEEKING STUDENTS

The following track in Special Education is available only to International Students or others not pursuing Texas State Certification.

International students and other students who have no teaching experience are expected to complete a minimum of 32 hours observing and assisting in school classrooms each semester. These hours may be served concurrently with courses that include school experiences or will be planned with the program director if no concurrent placement is available. (Courses that include school placements are SPED 5332 and SPED 6360. Additional courses include some hours in the classroom but are less than the required 32 hours.)

(S-L)=Course(s) with field-based service-learning component.

Refer to individual course descriptions for course requisites.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Find course descriptions by category under the Graduate Course Descriptions section in the navigation panel.