Special Education, M.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Faculty:

Kathleen Harris, Ph. D.
Melissa Tamburrino, Ed.D.

The Master of Arts in Special Education is designed to enhance the teaching skills necessary to provide quality education for all students in today’s classroom. Theory and skills are presented to help teachers address the educational needs of children and youth who have a variety of intellectual and/or physical disabilities. The curriculum meets the standards for special education dictated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for certification. Program content and pedagogy are intended to provide comprehensive training for teachers of exceptional children. Upon completion of the master’s program, teachers will be able to serve as master teachers and will be prepared to serve as curriculum specialists and in-service professionals.

To be eligible to add the special education certification (Pre-K - Grade 12), the student must hold a current PA teaching certification. For PA certification, in addition to the listed coursework for the Master of Arts degree, the student must pass the required PECT Modules 1 and 2.

Educational Objectives:

to develop the concepts and skills necessary to analyze and conduct research in special education
to expose teachers to contemporary issues in special education through the use of educational technology
to enable teachers to conduct diagnostic assessment and design and implement instructional strategies for exceptional children
to prepare teachers to participate effectively in parent and family conferencing for exceptional children
to expose teachers to the current educational philosophies of effective management of students with behavioral disorders in the classroom
to prepare teachers to effectively provide educational development for students with exceptional needs

Degree Program

The Master of Arts in Special Education Program is designed for those working with individuals with intellectual, behavioral, and physical/health disabilities.

If you are seeking a Pennsylvania Pre-K - Grade12 Special Education Teacher Certification with an M.A., you must also:

have maintained a minimum of 3.0 GPA while earning an undergraduate degree
hold a Pennsylvania teaching certificate in one of the following areas: N-3; K-6; Pre K-4; 4-8; K-12; reading specialist

Special Education Curriculum

Master of Arts

A prerequisite for participation in the program is Introduction to Exceptional Children (SED 205 or equivalent)

SED 560 - Legal Issues & Procedures in Sp Ed (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 565 - Interventions:Reading,Writing, Math (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 570 - Collaboration & Transitions (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 727 - Adapt Curriculum Diverse Learners (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 730 - Managing Behavioral Issues (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 735 - Ed Indv Low Incidence Disabilities (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 740 - Ed Indv High Incidence Disabilities (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 841 - Autism: Theory and Practice (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 860 - Instructional & Assistive Tech (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 936 - Research-Based Practicum (Education) 3 Credit(s)

Total credits: 30

Requirements in the M.A. in Special Education Program with Initial Teaching Certification:

30 graduate level credits are focused on middle school theory, practice, and pedagogy 
Test scores are required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the Pre K - Grade 12 Special Education Certificate.
Additional course and student teaching will be required for initial certification applications.

Additional course and student teaching will be required for initial certification applications.

SED 202 - Teaching Strategies PreK to Grade 4 (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 206 - Typical & Atypical Growth Develop (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 235 - Art, Music, and Movement (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 240 - Parent and Family Conferencing (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 288 - Linguistic & Cultural Diversity (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 300 - Practicum: Pre K to Grade 4 (Education) 1 Credit(s)
SED 305 - Practicum: Multiculturalism (Education) 1 Credit(s)
SED 312 - Language Development (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 325 - Learning to Read (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 328 - Reading to Learn (Education) 3 Credit(s)
SED 432 - Pre Student Teaching Clinical Lab (Education) 1 Credit(s)
SED 433 - Student Teaching (Education) 6 Credit(s) (12 credits required)
SED 435 - Student Teaching Seminar (Education) 1 Credit(s)
SED 836 - Assessment Methods (Education) 3 Credit(s)

Seton Hill University