Preparing Teaching Professionals to Educate and Develop Today’s Diverse Students

The Master of Science in Special Education program equips teaching professionals with the fundamental skills, knowledge and competencies needed to meet the needs of students with disabilities in multiple settings. The program is a flexible and convenient part-time graduate program that gives current teachers a comprehensive understanding of developing the potential of students with disabilities.

Concentrations:

• Autism: 
  The number of children diagnosed with Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome has increased drastically over the past decade.  Consequently, there is an increasingly high-demand for professionals trained in educating children diagnosed with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. The Autism concentration is designed for those who seek additional expertise in this critical field. The concentration’s curriculum provides knowledge and skills for working with these students. Effective teaching methods, interventions, and support will also be emphasized.
• Technologies for Special Education: 
  Best practices in the education of students with disabilities require educational professionals to be proficient with a wide range of technologies.  This concentration is designed for those seeking additional expertise in the area of educational technologies and assistive technology that can be used to create accessible learning opportunities and increased outcomes for students with disabilities.
• Languages & Cultural Issues: 
  Today’s students not only possess a diverse range of abilities, but diverse language and cultural backgrounds as well.  This concentration is designed for those who are seeking to work with linguistically and culturally diverse students who have or are at-risk for disabilities. The coursework in this concentration can be applied to PA Program Specialist - English as a Second Language (ESL) certification.
• Customization: 
  Students who already posses a special education certification or students not interested in obtaining a special education certification, but want to enhance their skills in specific special education topic areas, may choose to take two of the concentrations (24 credits) and 18 credits of their choosing from the special education certification core in addition to completing the research courses.

The Special Education program consists of 49.5 credits divided between 31.5 credits in Core Special Education Certification courses, 12 credits in concentration courses, and 6 credits in research.

The Master of Science in Special Education is intended for those interested in gaining greater skills and expertise in the area of Special Education and/or a teaching certificate in the area of special education.  Candidates seeking PA special education certification must have been issued a prior PA Instructional I or Instructional II teaching certificate. Students who do not have their teaching certification have the following options: 

• Earn a Instructional I certificate through a post-bachelor’s teaching certification program, such as the one offered through Drexel- http://www.drexel.com/online-degrees/education-degrees/cert-pbt/index.aspx, to apply to the MS in Special Education program.
• Rather than enroll in the MS in Special Education program, take the MS Teaching, Learning and Curriculum: Teacher Certification Track program and take Special Education electives (four additional classes beyond those needed for the MS degree to earn both certifications).  At the end of this option, students would have both an Instructional I and a Special Education certifications, as well as a Masters in Science.  More info can be found here- http://www.drexel.com/online-degrees/education-degrees/ms-si/index.aspx. 
• Take the Special Education program as a non-certification student.  Students who choose this option will not be able to teach in public schools in Pennsylvania. However, many teachers in states outside of Pennsylvania choose this option after contacting their state’s Department of Education to determine special education certification requirements in their state. 

Drexel also offers a Supervisor of Special Education certification program. Click here to view more information about this program.

Degree Features and Benefits

• Convenience – A flexible, completely online degree program that fits easily into your busy work and personal schedule. 
• Quality – One of “America’s Best Graduate Schools 2010” for preparing today’s finest educators. With a Master’s of Science in Special Education from Drexel University, you will be successfully equipped to enter or advance in this exciting and highly rewarding career field. 
• Accredited – Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Drexel University’s teacher education programs are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
• Interactivity – Drexel’s highly interactive e-Learning method allows extensive interaction with faculty and other classmates.

The School of Education at Drexel University seeks to enrich knowledge and practice related to lifespan learning, based on the best and most current research and practices, through our unique emphasis on creativity, problem solving and application of the latest technologies to learning.

Graduate Education Non-Matriculated Option
Do you need continuing education requirements, Act 48 credits, or just looking for professional development and only want to take a couple of classes? Learn more about our non-matriculated option. 

Related Programs of Interest 

• Special Education Certification Program 
• Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders 

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