Master of Special Education, MS.Ed.

Department Contact:

Director:  Mrs. Melissa Peppetti, mpeppetti@francis.edu, 814-472-3068

Program Description:

The Master of Special Education degree program is designed for teachers and other individuals interested in pursuing an advanced degree in special education. The program provides advanced study for elementary and secondary special educators interested in increasing their professional knowledge base and skills. The program seeks to facilitate students’ ability to be analytical, reflective decision-makers of special education content, theory, practice, and pedagogy. Courses are designed to link educational theory and classroom practice for application in students’ current or future professional settings.

The Master of Special Education program is a 30-credit program that will prepare graduate candidates to work in advanced areas of special education. The program will provide students with the knowledge and understanding of working in special education from implementing curricula to meeting individual needs of students with disabilities at an advanced level. The Master of Special Education program is offered online for convenience and flexibility of the working professional. Candidates will take core courses in research, law, curriculum, as well as electives which focus on specific populations of complex learner needs (autism, brain injury, related services such as OT and PT). The Master of Special Education program offers a candidate the ability to extend their knowledge by completing specialization electives in order to complete an autism endorsement (36-39 credits) or special education supervisory certification (39 credits). Candidates interested in the Master of Special Education must possess an Instructional I teaching certificate in special education (prek-8 or 7-12).

Admission Criteria:

Students must apply for admission into the program. The Graduate Education program will review all applicants throughout the year and candidates will receive an acceptance letter from the Director. In order to be considered for application, applicants must submit the following information:

• Online Application and $30 application fee made payable to Saint Francis University;
• Two letters of professional recommendation;
• A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 is required. If candidate’s GPA is less than 3.0; he or she may be accepted on a provisional basis while taking up to nine (9) credits. The student must obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the first nine credits to be admitted to the program. If these requirements are not met the student will not be admitted to the program.
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work completed;
• Copy of Instructional Certificate (must be in Special Education);
• Philosophy of Education Leadership.

Admission Deadline:

The program has rolling admission.

Progression and/or Retention Criteria:

• Students must complete their degrees within five (5) years of their initial enrollment.
• A minimum average of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the program. If a student falls below the 3.0 requirement he or she will be placed on academic probation for the next semester. Student’s continued eligibility in the program will depend on the GPA in the semester following the low GPA. If the student’s GPA does not go above the 3.0, after being placed on probation, the student is subject to dismissal from the program.

Graduation Requirements:

A candidate for graduation must satisfy the following requirements:

• Complete all requirements for an approved program of study.
• Complete a minimum of 30 credits of master-level education courses depending on which specialization option they choose.
• Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.
• Submit a completed Application for Degree form at least one semester prior to graduation date.
• Satisfy financial obligations to the University.
• Students must participate in an exit interview.

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically 2 years of full-time study or 2+ years part time

Total Credits Required:

30 credits

Note:

This is an online program. Student must have a computer and access to the Internet to complete all program requirements.