Elementary Special Education

Master of Education

About This Program | Program Requirements | Admission

Program Requirements

To obtain a Master of Education degree in the Elementary Special Education program, students must complete five courses as program prerequisites. Some of these courses require prerequisites and some require the successful completion of the PRAXIS I as a prerequisite. Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree with a major in education or a Master of Education degree with a concentration in Elementary Studies at Wilmington University will have completed all program prerequisites. Students with education degrees from other institutions must have their transcripts evaluated to assure that program prerequisites have been met. To fulfill the requirements of this program, students must complete all course requirements as specified, depending on the option which is chosen.

Students choosing to pursue Option A must apply to the Office of Clinical Studies for a student teaching placement for the fall semester by March 1 or for the spring semester by October 1. Applications are available in the Office of Clinical Studies in the Division of Education but do not take the place of registration. Registration and payment for student teaching are still necessary. In addition to the requirement of a cumulative GPA of 3.0, passing scores on the PRAXIS I or a current, standard Delaware teaching certificate are required prior to receiving a student teaching placement. Successful results from the appropriate PRAXIS II test are also required before student teaching.

Program Prerequisites

Each option requires five program prerequisite courses, namely:

  • Methods in Elementary Reading/Writing
  • Methods in Elementary Mathematics
  • Classroom Management/Strategies of Effective Teaching
  • Introduction/Education of Exceptional Children or Education of Diverse Populations and Exceptional Children
  • Adolescent or Child Growth and Development

Curriculum

Each option requires the same nine core courses:

MSE 7401 Curriculum in Special Education (3)

MSE 7402 Applied Behavior Analysis (3)

MSE 7403 Diagnosis/Assessment/IEP Development (3)

MSE 7404 Assistive Technology (MH, SED, LD) (3)

MSE 8102 Legislation and Implementation
of Policy & Procedure (3)

MSE 8103 Supervision and Evaluation
of Special Education Programs (3)

MRD 7801 Language Development (3)

MRD 7901 Diagnosis/Assessment of Reading Difficulties
for Non-Reading/Literature Majors (3)

MSE 5001 Program Portfolio (non credit/no cost course) (0)

Also, each option has specific courses which must be acquired in addition to the nine core courses listed above. By option, these requirements follow:

Option A - Certification Program

MAS 7602 School in a Multicultural Society (3)

MSE 8101 Severe Disabilities (3)

MSE 8802 Student Teaching in Special Education (6)

Note: MSE 7502 Educating Pre-Schoolers with Special Needs (Completion of this additional course will certify candidates for preK-8.)

Option B - Instructional Program

Electives (choose four): (Courses applied as prerequisites may not serve as electives)

MAS 7602 The School in a Multicultural Society (3)

MAS 7651 Adolescent Growth and Development (3)

MAS 7701 Classroom Culture and Student Behavior (3)

MEC 6501 Principles and Practices of the Guidance Program (3)

MEC 7203 Career Development and Information Services (3)

MED 7703 Curriculum and Teaching:
Research, Theory, and Practice (3)

MED 7704 Education for Equity and Social Justice (3)

MEE 7631 Child Growth and Development (3)

MSE 7400 The Gifted and Talented Child (3)

MSE 7502 Educating Pre-Schoolers with Special Needs

MSE 8101 Severe Disabilities (3)

Option C - Administrative Program

MED 6490 Education, Ethics, and the Law (3)

MED 7201 Fiscal Operations and Resources (3)

MED 7503 School and Community:
Building a Shared Vision (3)

MED 7708 Curriculum Leadership (3)

MED 7701 Supervisory Leadership: Staff Selection,
Appraisal, and Renewal (3)

Choose one of the following:

MED 7706 The Principalship: preK-8 (3) OR

MED 7707 The Principalship: 9-12 (3)

Qualifications for Degree

To qualify for a Master of Education in Special Education degree, a teacher candidate must complete all necessary course work, student teaching, PRAXIS I and the appropriate PRAXIS II tests (Option A) with at least a “B” average. A portfolio that demonstrates program competencies is also required for graduation from the master’s program. A review committee member evaluates the portfolio. The program must be completed within five years.

This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2008-2009 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2008 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.