MS Degree in Special Education

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Program Information
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MS: Education Emphasis in Special Education/LD Program Handbook

Overview

The faculty, staff and candidates of the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum (TLC) are pleased that you are interested in connecting with the MS program in Education. As the professional world continues to demand higher levels of knowledge and advanced degrees, graduate study is a wise and sophisticated step towards your career goal. The TLC Department is pleased to offer a comprehensive instruction program that includes courses that focus on learning, advance instruction, worldview, and research.

Mission Statement

The School of Education's mission is to provide programs based on redemptive Christian worldview to prepare professionals for global services.

Who Qualifies for the MS Degree?

The State of Michigan requires students to posses a valid State of Michigan General Education Teaching Certificate prior to the submission of an application for the Special Education Teaching Certification. Students who have been accepted in the Andrews University MAT program can petition to be concurrently accepted into the MS program.
Typically the MS Candidates include:

1. Individuals who have earned a Bachelors degree and are currently enrolled in the MAT program that are seeking a Certification in Special Education.
2. Individuals who are already holding a teaching certification, but seeking an additional certificate at another level.
3. Individuals who hold a Bachelors degree who are not seeking Michigan State SPED/LED, but are interested in the Special Education degree.

Why the Andrews University MS in Education Degree?

In addition to relevant coursework, invaluable real-world work experience, and an emphasis on Christian compassion, our programs also feature:

Online course formats - Some of our graduate levels courses are offered online or through a web enhancement format (WebCT).

An outstanding faculty - Our programs are built upon and supported by a foundation of a dedicated and specialized faculty. We have a reputation for academic excellence, and our candidates enjoy a high rate of professional and personal success all over the world.

Accreditation - Our Teacher Preparation Programs are accredited by both the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Eudcation (NCATE) and the State of Michigan as well as approved by the North American Division Office of Education of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Certification - The Teacher Preparation Programs are designed to qualify candidates for teacher certification in the State of Michigan as well as in most other states through accreditation reciprocity granted by having NCATE accreditation.

Exploratory Learning - Educator candidates are involved in an ongoing process exploring interrelationships among broad interdisciplinary perspectives, the Special Education profession, and their own knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Encouragement to promote improvement in the field of Special Education is developed through perspicacious study and the application of empirical research findings.

Small Class Sizes - In addition to quality educational experience, classes are small enough to provide a personal learning experience. Classes are often conducted conference style, promoting direct involved discussion between students, professors, and invited guests.

Program Information

MS: Special Education/Learning Disabilities
The MS program leads to the Michigan State Certification in Special Education in the area of Learning Disabilities and a Masters in Science Degree in Education. MS candidates seeking certification must qualify for a valid State of Michigan teaching certificate before the degree can be granted. This includes passing the MTTC Subject-Area Exam (Learning Disabled).

The MS program can be taken concurrently with the MAT program; this entails working on a general education and special education advance degree simultaneously. Special Education can satisfy as a major for the MAT program, so all of the MAT requirements must be fulfilled as indicated in the Bulletin and the Masters of Arts in Teaching Handbook.
 

Admission Information

For all candidates, the first step is to complete an Andrews University Graduate Application. Have all transcripts sent to the Certification Registrar in the Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Department. Candidates must also complete the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) before admission or during the first semester of enrollment.

MS Program Procedures

• Apply for admission to the Andrews University School of Education
• Submit all transcripts for evaluation by the Certification Registrar
• Develop a course plan in collaboration with advisor using outline of requirements prepared by the Certification Registrar
• Continue course work
• Apply for Advancement to Degree Candidacy
• Pass the MTTC Subject-Area Exam:Learning Disabled
• Apply for student teaching
• Complete program and apply for teaching certificate
• EACH of the areas must have a 2.50 GPA with no lower than a C- in any course
  

MS in Education Course Plan

Core Requirements - 22 credits (19 graduate credits with 3 of the 19 credits taken from a swing course)

Specialty - 9 credits

Prerequisites - 15 credits (These classes may be taken for either undergraduate/graduate credit)

Outstanding Faculty
The program is built upon and supported by a foundation of dedicated and specialized faculty. Course work crosses School of Education (SED) department boundaries to incorporate the strengths from a variety of professionals. The SED, and in particular the TLC Department, have a reputation for academic excellence; our educator candidates experience a high rate of professional and personal success around the world. Professors trained in specific areas of expertise instruct all classes.