Special Education Concentration Information

The goal of the Graduate Program in Special Education is to prepare well-skilled, innovative educators who are able to design inclusive, effective educational programs for all students.  The coursework is crafted to prepare students to be culturally responsive leaders, educators, and advocates.  Hallmarks of the program include comprehensive coursework in both math and literacy.  Graduates students are offered the most current, research-based strategies in both areas to ensure they will be able to enter the field ready to move all students forward academically by providing an appropriate education for each child.  Students are provided both a practicum and a student teaching experience where they are placed with model educators in the field and a St. Michael’s supervisor who will provide individual support and guidance.

There are multiple “paths” graduate students can follow as they progress toward a Master of Education with a concentration in Special Education: 1.  Students can choose coursework to work toward a Special Educator initial license; 2.  Students can choose coursework to work toward a Special Educator endorsement; 3. Students can work toward a Master’s without the goal of licensure and take 18 credits of special education coursework of their choosing, an additional 12 credits of electives, and the final two researcher courses listed below; 4. Students can work toward a Master’s degree (36 credits) and then continue with an additional 12 credits (courses are designated) to obtain a Consulting Teacher endorsement.  

Special Education Endorsement Required Courses (24 credits)

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

• GED 581 - Social/Emotional Development and Individual Differences Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 612 - Math and Diversity Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 631 - Learning, Development 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 - Multisensory Language-Based Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 661 - Special Education Practicum Credits: 6 cr.
• GED 662 - Special Education Seminar Credits: 3 cr.

To complete the M.Ed. in Special Education

To complete the M.Ed. in Special Education, students will select six credits in electives in addition to these two required courses:

• GED 558 - Educator as Researcher Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 699 - Capstone Seminar Credits: 3 cr.