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grad_com An electronic newsletter from the
BSU School of Graduate Studies |
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Vol. 4, No. 9 |
March 2008 |
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The Process Registration: Grad
classes Starting
the count of seven years to complete a degree Form 1: Applying for admission to graduate
studies Completing
13-16 graduate credits after admission Form 2: Applying for candidacy in a
graduate degree program Taking
the written exam at the end of course work Form 3: Proposing a research
paper or thesis Doing
the work and writing the results Form 4: Applying for graduation Submitting
the research paper or thesis for review Form 5: Scheduling the oral examination Defending
your graduate work Diploma |
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This
month . . . · Ins and Outs: Investigating Grad Programs The Special Education Programs · Licensures for Special Education · Additional Information from the Professional Education
Department · Q&A: Question of the Month? |
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Investigating Programs in Special Education |
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Master of
Science in Special Education (M.S.) The Degree The Master
of Science - Special Education is a research-based degree that emphasizes
a scholarly understanding of either specific learning disabilities (SLD) or
emotional behavioral disorder (EBD). Coursework for the degree parallels the
coursework for the SLD and EBD licensure programs, but is not exactly the
same. For the most part, students who have completed a licensure program may
complete the Master of Science in Special Education by completing the
scholarly requirement. The degree provides students with a broad
base of knowledge about learners with special needs and programming
strategies for those learners. As a foundation for the program, BSU
emphasizes performance-based standards for teacher preparation established by
the Minnesota Board of Teaching and the Council for Exceptional
Children.
Preparation
Requirements Students
should have an undergraduate degree in education, with an overall GPA of 3.0 or
better, and a valid teaching license for admission
to the Master of Science--Special Education program. Applicants who are not
licensed teachers may be admitted into the program with the consent of the
Coordinator of Special Education. A special education teaching license may
also be incorporated into the program; however, this is not the primary focus
of the program. The M.S. in Special
Education program of study includes 21-23 credits of core (required) courses,
a minimum of 3-6 elective credits, and 7-9 research credits including a
formal paper or thesis. Minimum
credits required: 35 semester credits. NOTE: A minimum of 50% of the courses in the
Master of Science--Special Education must be at the 6000 level. Students are
advised to work with an advisor in planning coursework. Written Exam Students must pass the PRAXIS-II Education of the
Exceptional Student, Core Content as part of the degree. Thesis/Research Paper Students must
complete either a thesis or research paper upon the completion of their
course work in order to finish their degree.
Whether a student completes a research paper or thesis is dependent
upon the interest of the student, the student’s academic goals, and the
guidance of the student’s advisor. |
Master of Special Education
(M.SpEd.) The Degree The Master of
Special Education is an application degree designed for practicing
teachers seeking licensure in either specific learning disabilities (SLD) or
emotional behavioral disorders (EBD). Components of the degree emphasize
theory to practice in practicum settings, development and modification of
curriculum for students with special needs, and an understanding of relevant
literature and research within the field. This degree leads to a MN license in special
education (either EBD or SLD). As a foundation for the program, BSU
emphasizes performance-based standards for teacher preparation established by
the Minnesota Board of Teaching and the Council for Exceptional
Children. Preparation
Requirements Students should have an undergraduate degree
in education, with an
overall GPA of 3.0 or better, and a valid teaching
license for admission to the Master of Special Education program. Applicants
who are not licensed teachers may be admitted into the program with the
consent of the Coordinator of Special Education. A special
education teaching license may also be incorporated into the program;
however, this is not the primary focus of the program. Program of Study The M.SpEd. program of study includes 37 credits of core
(required) courses and a portfolio of the student’s work during the program. Written Exam Students must pass the PRAXIS-II Education of the
Exceptional Student, Core Content as part of the degree.
Portfolio Students completing a M.SpEd. degree are required to
complete a Portfolio in lieu of a thesis or research paper. The portfolio is created from work and
projects completed within the student’s courses and is determined with the
aid of the student’s project advisor. |
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Q&A: M.SpEd. and M.S. in Special Education – the
difference? Q: What’s the difference between a M.SpEd. and a M.S. degree
in Special Education? A: First, the
similarities: · Same core courses Now the differences: M.S. in Special Education – a research-based degree that emphasizes a
scholarly understanding of the field; parallels the coursework for the SLD
and EBD licensure programs; requires a thesis or research paper. MSpD. – applied degree designed for
practicing teachers seeking licensure in either specific learning
disabilities or emotional behavioral disorders; requires a portfolio rather
than a thesis or research paper. Speak to your advisor to determine which program best
fits your future plans. |
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Licensures for Special Education
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Licensure Programs The Department of Professional Education at · Developmental/Adapted
Physical Education (D/APE) – combined with a Physical Education
program that qualifies the student to teach adapted physical education in the
State of · Emotional/Behavioral
Disorders (EBD) – qualifies a teacher to provide instruction for students
with emotional/behavioral disorders in grades K-12 in the State of · Specific Learning
Disabilities (SLD) – qualifies teachers to provide specially designed
instruction in reading, mathematics, written and oral expression, and
listening comprehension for students with learning disabilities and learning
disorders in grades K-12 in the State of Two additional licensure programs are
available through MN Statewide system: · Visual Impairment (VI) – jointly
developed and cooperatively delivered by the seven · Deaf/Hard of
Hearing (D/HH) – Students pursuing this license have access to the University of Minnesota program. Individuals may take their
core special education courses at BSU and complete the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
license requirements at the These programs provide in-service teachers
with a broad base of knowledge about disabilities and programming strategies
to use with students with disabilities. As a foundation for the program, BSU
emphasizes performance-based standards for teacher preparation established by
the Minnesota Board of Teaching and the Council for Exceptional Children.
Preparation
Requirements An undergraduate degree in education and a valid teaching
license are required to be admitted to the special education licensure
programs. Applicants who are not licensed teachers or the equivalent may
be admitted into the program with the consent of the Coordinator of Special
Education. Courses over ten years old can not be applied to a licensure
program. If a student feels she/he has kept current with the course
content, a petition may be made to the special education faculty for an
exception. The student will be required to document how he/she has stayed
current with course content. Students do not need to be admitted into the graduate program to
take graduate level classes; however, it is recommended that they are. For
information on admission to graduate education at Completing Licensure Before being granted a Upon completion of the program, students need to complete a
Minnesota Licensure Application and submit the application to their advisor.
The material will then be forwarded to the BSU Registrar. |
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Additional
Information about the Education Degrees |
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Eight of the 10 required classes for the licenses require a
clinical experience in a special education classroom or with students with
special needs. For students holding a valid license, this experience takes
the place of a cumulative student teaching experience. Interested students who do not hold a valid teaching license may
complete the Standards of Effective teaching through FasTrack. Contact Sue
Cutler at scutler@bemidjistate.edu
(218-755-3745) or Chad Schmidt, Coordinator of FasTrack, at cschmidt@bemidjistate.edu for more
information. |
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For more information about the M.S. in Special Education or M.SpEd.
degree programs, please contact: Dr. Hal Gritzmacher at hgritzmacher@bemidjistate.edu or Dr. Sue Cutler at scutler@bemidjistate.edu. You may also contact the Professional Education Department
(218-755-3734). |
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We want
to make grad_com useful for you. Let us know what you would like to
see on these pages by contacting the School of Graduate Studies, Decker Hall
110, 218-755-2027 (toll-free: 1-888-386-8464), Grad@bemidjistate.edu |
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