Program: Master of Science in Special Education (M.S.Ed.)
School of Education
Neff Hall 250 ~ 260-481-6861
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this degree, students will:
- Engage in professional learning and practice within ethical standards.
- Address students’ individual developmental needs through effective specialized instruction and appropriate environments.
- Demonstrate the ability to make decisions based on assessment data for social, emotional, and cognitive development of individual students.
- Collaborate with families and professionals.
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 School of Education. 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 Topical Workshop in Special Education (Thesis and Special Projects) (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 Praxis Exam. Please contact the program director or your academic advisor for specific details.
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.
In addition, all students must submit the following documentation for admission to the program:
- Application Fee
- Transcripts
- Two (2) Professional Letters of Recommendation
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- Personal History Statement
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.
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