Special Education Concentration Information

The goal of the Graduate Program in Special Education is to prepare competent and caring professionals who are able to make connections and create meaning in all aspects of their work. Students become familiar with the contexts and systems within which children and youth with disabilities are educated. They gain knowledge of learning and development throughout the life span. They acquire the broad and varied content knowledge that anyone working in Special Education must possess and they learn to build and maintain collaborative relationships with families, students and others. Practicum experiences within the special education courses require diagnostic teaching of individual students, working with families of students with disabilities, collaborating with other adults and taking on the responsibilities of a special educator for a school year. Hallmarks of the program are the case study approach, the strong emphasis on practicum experiences, and the training in collaboration.

Master of Education or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies programs are designed to lead to Vermont teacher licensure or endorsement as Special Educator. Students may also design a M.Ed. or a C.A.G.S. program with a concentration in general special education.  Students may choose 18 credits in Special Education or may add the additional endorsement.  After the Special Educator license, students may also pursue an additional endorsement for Consulting Teacher.  A Master’s is required for this endorsement.

Special Education Endorsement Required Courses (31 credits)

You may be required to take GED 613 Mathematics in the K-8 Classroom and/or GED 522 Teaching Literacy in the Elementary Classroom if you have not had a similar course.

(3 credits each unless otherwise noted):

Students with an initial Vermont teaching license working towards a Special Educator endorsement take the following courses:

• Plus six elective credits and two years teaching experience

• GED 558 - Introduction to Educational Research Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 631 - Development, Learning, Behavior and Individual Differences Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 632 - Assessment of Students within General and Special Education Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 633 - Legal and Professional Issues in Special Education Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 640 - Language and Learning Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 643 - Instruction of K-6 Students with Learning Challenges in Language Arts Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 644 - Approaches to Teaching Students with Special Needs Credits: 2 cr.
• GED 661 - Instructional Programs for Students with Disabilities Credits: 4 cr.
• GED 662 - Evaluating Programs for Students with Disabilities Credits: 4 cr.
• GED 699 - Capstone Seminar in Graduate Education Credits: 3 cr.

• The grade level for specific endorsement is based on the placement level for direct service practicum.