Special Education (M.A.)
Jubilee Hall
CHDCM@shu.edu
shu.edu/academics/ma-special-education
Program Code: EC_SPED_MA
This program is associated with New Jersey's Students with Disabilities instructional endorsement. Some concentrations within this program are associated with additional New Jersey certifications and endorsements -- each with specific prerequisites for admission. Carefully review the Program Requirements and Certification Details.
If you are a general education teacher, or a special education teacher co-teaching within an inclusive class, you are serving students with a variety of special needs, including students with autism. Both groups of students require different learning strategies and the M.A. in Special Education offers candidates the necessary tools to meet their needs.
Completion of required coursework and pre-requisites (e.g., holding a standard instructional certificate) provide students the opportunity for nomination to the NJ Department of Education for the Teacher of Students with Disabilities and Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages endorsements.
Concentrations
The M.A. in Special Education offers several concentrations, including:
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing - Elementary Teaching
- Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing - Secondary Teaching
- K-12 Supervisor*
- Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)*
* Instructional certificate (CE, CEAS, or Standard) required as part of nomination for Students with Disabilities endorsement.
Admissions Details
The Office of Graduate Affairs processes all applications and offers an overview of the application process. Specific details regarding this program's admissions details are outlined below.
General Application Requirements
To be considered for admission, applicants are required to submit the following materials:
- Online application and application fee
- Resume/Curriculum vitae
- Personal statement (up to 550 words, about two pages)
- Official transcript(s) from all institutions attended
- Letters of recommendation (2) from academic and/or professional references
Concentration-Specific Prerequisites
In addition to the General Application Requirements outlined above, specific concentrations in the program have additional pre-requisites and requirements:
- Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing - Elementary Teaching requires: (1) Undergraduate transcript reflective of at least 60 Liberal Arts credits; and (2) Official score report indicating passing score on the Praxis II exam. This is required as this program includes a clinical practice requirement leading to a New Jersey Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing.
- Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing - Secondary Teaching requires: (1) Undergraduate transcript reflective of at least 15-30 credits in a specialized field; and (2) Official score report indicating passing score on the Praxis II exam. This is required as this program includes a clinical practice requirement leading to a New Jersey Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing.
- K-12 Supervisor requires: Either a Standard Instructional or Educational Services Certificate, as well as 3-years full-time teaching or educational services employment.
- Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) requires: Standard Instructional Certificate
Note: This program considers applications from aspiring educators who do not hold an instructional certificate. Some tracks within the program include coursework that fulfills requirements for NJ Department of Education endorsements. Carefully review the Requirements for important details and prerequisites. For students without an instructional certificate, the CEAS track within the program includes an opportunity to pursue candidacy, though fulfilling these requirements as a concentration within the M.A. Special Education will require additional credits. Prospective students seeking a pre-service program may alternatively consider the expedited M.A.E. Elementary Teaching or M.A.E. Secondary Teaching program.
International applicants are welcome. Please review the College's frequently asked admissions questions for supplemental requirements.
Application and Enrollment Dates
The program operates on a rolling admissions schedule where students may begin their studies in either the Fall or Spring semester.
Certification Details and Important Notes
- The program's core curriculum includes coursework that fulfills requirements for New Jersey's Students with Disabilities endorsement. Nomination for this endorsement requires a student to possess an instructional certificate (CE, CEAS, or standard) with an endorsement appropriate to the subject or grade level taught. The program's associated concentrations lead to additional opportunities for New Jersey credentials, including: (1) Instructional Certification(s); (2) Instructional Endorsement(s); and/or (3) School Leader Administrative Certification(s). The requirements section further outlines specific admissions and/or degree requirements to qualify.
- In addition to the curricular requirements that are part of the M.A. program with the Applied Behavior Analysis concentration, students must complete an additional nine (9) credits, for an overall total of 45 credits.
- In addition to the curricular requirements that are part of the M.A. program with the Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing - Elementary Teaching concentration, students must: (1) present official undergraduate-level transcript(s) that reflect at least 60 Liberal Arts credits; (2) successfully pass the required Praxis II exam(s); and (3) complete all required clinical requirements.
- In addition to the curricular requirements that are part of the M.A. program with the Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing - Secondary Teaching concentration, students must: (1) present official undergraduate-level transcript(s) that reflect 15-30 credits in a specialized field; (2) successfully pass the required Praxis II exam(s); and (3) complete all required clinical requirements.
- In addition to the curricular requirements that are part of the M.A. program inclusive of the four (4) courses related to the K-12 Supervisor concentration, students must: (1) hold a standard New Jersey instructional or educational services certificate (or out-of-state equivalent) and (2) present a minimum of three (3) years of successful, full-time teaching or educational services employment.
- In addition to the curricular requirements that are part of the M.A. program inclusive of the five (5) courses related to the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) concentration, the ESL Instructional Endorsement requires students to hold a standard New Jersey instructional certificate.
For students interested in an instructional certification, the College offers options to pursue New Jersey's Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing - including M.A.E. degrees in Elementary Teaching or Secondary Teaching, as well as non-degree certificates leading to Elementary or Secondary certification.
Curriculum Requirements
Program requirements vary based upon declared concentration. Students must work closely with an academic advisor when planning course schedules.
M.A. Special Education with Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses * | ||
| EDST 6307 | Integ Curr-Tech Inclsve Clssrm | 3 |
| EDST 6440 | Bhv Disorder - Thry Trtmt Mgmt | 3 |
| EDST 6441 | Serving Diverse Learners I | 3 |
| EDST 6442 | Serving Diverse Learners II | 3 |
| EDST 6444 | Autism Spec Dis Thry-Treat-Prc | 3 |
| EDST 6445 | Environment for Diverse Lrnrs | 3 |
| EDST 6446 | Assess Special Ed Diverse Lrn | 3 |
| Subtotal | 21 | |
| Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration *** | ||
| CPSY 6700 | Basic Principles of Behavior | 3 |
| CPSY 6705 | Theory and Philosophy in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| CPSY 7700 | Behavior Assessment & Intrvn I | 3 |
| CPSY 7701 | Behavior Assessment and Intervention II | 3 |
| CPSY 7705 | Organizational Behavior Management and Supervision | 3 |
| EDST 7317 | Measurement - Exp Dsgn in ABA | 3 |
| EDST 7321 | Ethcl Lgl Prfsl Iss Behav Anly | 3 |
| EDST 7324 | ABA Practicum I ** | 3 |
| Subtotal | 24 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
- *
For applicants who hold an Instructional Certification and Students with Disabilities endorsement the requirements may be modified through consultation with the Program Director.
- **
Note that additional supervised experience hours, above what is earned in ABA Practicum I, is necessary for an individual to apply for the BACB certification examination. These hours should be gained independently.
- ***
The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program options are all designed to lead graduates towards Board Certification in Behavior Analysis (BCBA®) as per the most current Behavior Analyst Certification Board requirements. This includes completion of academic coursework, earning of 1500-2000 supervised experience hours (completed independent of the degree program), and passing of the BCBA® certification examination (independent of the degree program). Once certified, New Jersey licensure as a behavior analyst can be obtained. Students are to reference state- and/or region-specific licensure requirements to practice legally. For further information about certification, contact the Behavior Analyst Certification Board at www.BACB.com.
M.A. Special Education with Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing - Elementary Teaching Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDST 6307 | Integ Curr-Tech Inclsve Clssrm | 3 |
| EDST 6440 | Bhv Disorder - Thry Trtmt Mgmt | 3 |
| EDST 6441 | Serving Diverse Learners I | 3 |
| EDST 6442 | Serving Diverse Learners II | 3 |
| EDST 6444 | Autism Spec Dis Thry-Treat-Prc | 3 |
| EDST 6445 | Environment for Diverse Lrnrs | 3 |
| EDST 6446 | Assess Special Ed Diverse Lrn | 3 |
| Subtotal | 21 | |
| CEAS, Elementary Teaching Concentration * | ||
| EDST 6334 | Clinical Practice I | 0 |
| EDST 6364 | Early Literacy, K-2 | 3 |
| EDST 6367 | Multisensory Approaches to Literacy | 3 |
| EDST 6368 | Math Education, K-2 | 3 |
| EDST 6413 | Teaching Literacy, 3-6 | 3 |
| EDST 6415 | Teaching Math, 3-6 | 3 |
| EDST 6417 | ELED Sci - SocStu Mthds-Asmnt | 3 |
| EDST 6421 | Child-Adolescent Dvl-Diversity | 3 |
| EDST 6422 | Classroom Curriculum-Plan-Orgn | 3 |
| EDST 6426 | Clinical Practice and Seminar | 3 |
| Subtotal | 27 | |
| Total Hours | 48 | |
- *
In addition to the curricular requirements that are part of the M.A. program with the Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing - Elementary Teaching concentration, students must: (1) present official undergraduate-level transcript(s) that reflect at least 60 Liberal Arts credits; (2) successfully pass the required Praxis II exam(s); and (3) complete all required clinical requirements.
M.A. Special Education with Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing - Secondary Teaching Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDST 6307 | Integ Curr-Tech Inclsve Clssrm | 3 |
| EDST 6440 | Bhv Disorder - Thry Trtmt Mgmt | 3 |
| EDST 6441 | Serving Diverse Learners I | 3 |
| EDST 6442 | Serving Diverse Learners II | 3 |
| EDST 6444 | Autism Spec Dis Thry-Treat-Prc | 3 |
| EDST 6445 | Environment for Diverse Lrnrs | 3 |
| EDST 6446 | Assess Special Ed Diverse Lrn | 3 |
| Subtotal | 21 | |
| CEAS, Secondary Teaching Concentration * | ||
| EDST 6421 | Child-Adolescent Dvl-Diversity | 3 |
| EDST 6422 | Classroom Curriculum-Plan-Orgn | 3 |
| EDST 6425 | Assessment of Student Learning | 3 |
| EDST 6426 | Clinical Practice and Seminar | 3 |
| EDST 6551 | Advcd Strat of Teaching | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- *
In addition to the curricular requirements that are part of the M.A. program with the Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing - Secondary Teaching concentration, students must: (1) present official undergraduate-level transcript(s) that reflect 15-30 credits in a specialized field; (2) successfully pass the required Praxis II exam(s); and (3) complete all required clinical requirements.
M.A. Special Education with K-12 Supervisor Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDST 6307 | Integ Curr-Tech Inclsve Clssrm | 3 |
| EDST 6440 | Bhv Disorder - Thry Trtmt Mgmt | 3 |
| EDST 6441 | Serving Diverse Learners I | 3 |
| EDST 6442 | Serving Diverse Learners II | 3 |
| EDST 6444 | Autism Spec Dis Thry-Treat-Prc | 3 |
| EDST 6445 | Environment for Diverse Lrnrs | 3 |
| EDST 6446 | Assess Special Ed Diverse Lrn | 3 |
| EDST 7451 | Sem-Resrch Meth in Spec Educ | 3 |
| Subtotal | 24 | |
| Supervisor Certificate Concentration *, ** | ||
| ELMP 6665 | Curriculum Development and Assessment | 3 |
| ELMP 6666 | Supv of Instr and Eval | 3 |
| ELMP 7772 | Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| ELMP 7776 | Culturally Sustaining Curriculum | 3 |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- *
Courses are completed entirely online.
- **
In addition to the curricular requirements that are part of the M.A. program inclusive of the four (4) courses related to the K-12 Supervisor concentration, students must: (1) hold a standard New Jersey instructional or educational services certificate (or out-of-state equivalent) and (2) present a minimum of three (3) years of successful, full-time teaching or educational services employment.
M.A. Special Education with TESOL Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDST 6307 | Integ Curr-Tech Inclsve Clssrm | 3 |
| EDST 6440 | Bhv Disorder - Thry Trtmt Mgmt | 3 |
| EDST 6441 | Serving Diverse Learners I | 3 |
| EDST 6442 | Serving Diverse Learners II | 3 |
| EDST 6444 | Autism Spec Dis Thry-Treat-Prc | 3 |
| EDST 6445 | Environment for Diverse Lrnrs | 3 |
| EDST 6446 | Assess Special Ed Diverse Lrn | 3 |
| Subtotal | 21 | |
| TESOL Concentration * | ||
| EDST 6504 | Applied Linguistics | 3 |
| EDST 6505 | TESL I | 3 |
| EDST 6506 | TESL II | 3 |
| EDST 6507 | Second Language Assessment | 3 |
| EDST 6560 | Hist-Cult Bckgrnd Engl Lang Lr | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- *
In addition to the curricular requirements that are part of the M.A. program inclusive of the five (5) courses related to the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) concentration, the ESL Instructional Endorsement requires students to hold a standard New Jersey instructional certificate.
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