Apr 20, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Special Education (M.S.Ed.)


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Program: Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.)
School of Education  
College of Professional Studies

Neff Hall ~ 260-481-6861


Student Learning Outcomes:

This 30-credit graduate MS program will allow the teacher candidate, who has a current teaching license, to obtain an Indiana Exceptional Needs-Mild Intervention teaching license. This license qualifies a teacher to teach students as having Mild Intellectual Disability, Moderate Intellectual Disability, Learning Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Emotional Disabilities. 


The Degree:

The Master of Science in Education with a major in Special Education will lead to a Mild Intervention Teaching Certification. To earn this degree you must satisfactorily complete the required minimum of 30 graduate credit hours, and you must satisfy the requirements of Purdue University Fort Wayne (Regulations ) and the College. There is also a 60-hour field experience requirement.  Arrangements may be made for the 60 hours to be incorporated into the duties of the classroom or school for students currently employed by a school system.

  • It is recommended that students take EDU 50501 as the first course in their program.  The last course will be EDU 59901 Master’s Thesis in Special Education (Part II) or EDU 50003 Special Projects in Special Education (Part II).
  • At least 21 of the 30 total credits toward the M.S.Ed. must be completed at Purdue Fort Wayne.

Accreditation:

  • The Special Education program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and nationally recognized as a high-quality program through the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).  Because of these statuses, students who meet specified requirements are eligible for a Mild Intervention teaching license in the state of Indiana.  Indiana holds reciprocal licensing agreements with other states.

Teacher candidates wishing to add a Mild Intervention teaching license to their current license must complete all courses above and pass the Pearson Exam.

  • Exceptional Needs - Mild Intervention (P-12) test number 025
           (Addition to Early Childhood or Elementary)
  • Exceptional Needs- Mild Intervention (5-12) Tests numbers 025 and 064
           (Addition to Secondary and all grade programs)

Website for testing information and registration  www.in.nesinc.com


Admission Requirement:  Please note: Admission to the Purdue Fort Wayne Special Education graduate program requires an official transcript reflecting 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 Grade Point Average Scale.

Retention: You must maintain a GPA of 3.0 (4.0=A) or better for all work (including undergraduate courses) taken after completing your bachelor’s degree. If your GPA falls below 3.0, you must raise the GPA to at least 3.0 within the next six (6) credits of graduate course work. Failure to do so will result in your dismissal from the program.

Time Limit: You must fulfill all degree requirements within six years and one semester from the date on which you receive a grade for the first credits (including transfer credits) that apply to your degree.  

Graduation Requirements: You must have satisfied any conditions on your admission to the graduate education program before you will be considered as a candidate for graduation. In addition, you must have: (1) earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in courses applicable to the degree, and (2) fulfilled all additional degree requirements and complied with all academic regulations.

Program Requirements


Total (30 Credits)


Student Responsibility


You are responsible for satisfying the graduation requirements specified for your selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the Graduate Director.

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