MED in Special Education

Available only On Campus in the Kansas City Area

Graduate Education Program

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• Goals and Objectives
• Graduate Education Handbook

Masters Degrees in Education

• Master of Arts in Teaching
• MED in General Studies
• MED in School Law
• MED in Teaching At-Risk Students
• MED in Multicultural Education
• MED in Educational Leadership
• MED in Adult Education
• MED in Early Childhood Education
• MED in Literacy Education
• MED in Special Education

Contact Us

Park University Graduate School
911 Main, Suite 900
Kansas City, MO 64105
Tel. (816) 559-5629
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Purpose

The Master of Education with emphasis in Special Education certification degree offers a program of study leading to a graduate degree in special education and/or certification in mild/moderate K - 12 Cross-Categorical Disabilities. The program prepares educators to teach students with exceptional learning needs, to serve as advocates for children and their families, and to work collaboratively with colleagues in K-12 educational settings. Program requirements vary depending on the type of certification desired (e.g., special education endorsement for those with previous certification versus temporary authorization certification in special education). Similar to our Master of Education degree, it will be offered in the eight week format, classes meeting one evening per week for 4 1/2 hours. Full-time enrollment is one course per eight week term. Full-time enrollment during the academic year and two courses for two summers allow completion of the degree in two calendar years. Students who are employed full-time are encouraged not to take a heavier load.

Admission Requirements

For candidates who currently hold a valid state teaching certificate and are seeking to add a special education endorsement:

• Must possess a Bachelor's degree in education from an accredited institution, with a GPA of 2.5 in the major area of study.
• Must provide a copy of teaching certificate.

For candidates who hold a temporary authorization certification (TAC) in special education:

• Must possess a Bachelor's degree or higher, with a GPA of 2.5 in the major area of study.
• Must submit a Course Plan signed by the Special Education Advisor. The Course Plan outlines the course requirements for a Temporary Authorization Certification (TAC)* in special education.

* Park University can help make arrangements to obtain and maintain an initial temporary authorization certification (TAC) in mild/moderate disabilities K - 12 in Missouri only; however, employment in the field is required.

All candidates must also:

• Submit a letter of recommendation from a school administrator who has supervised his/her work. If the applicant has not had previous school experience, a letter from someone who can testify to the candidate's suitability for teaching in the field of special education, along with a completed survey evaluating the candidate's professional dispositions may be submitted.
• Submit a two-page statement of the applicant's philosophy of education, explaining how that led him/her to seek a degree and/or certification in special education.
• Have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA on a 4.00 scale. Applicants with an overall GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 may be considered for admission, if they provide one of the following:
  • An acceptable GRE score for verbal and quantitative tests.
  • Meet or exceed the state field test mean score on the area test of the National Teacher's Exam.
  • Optional professional portfolio (to be evaluated by two full-time Teacher Education faculty members)
• Be officially admitted to the School for Education

* An applicant who has been denied admission to a graduate education program may appeal the decision to the Committee for Selection, Admission, Retention, and Appeals (CSARA). The appeal shall be submitted in writing to the Chair of the CSARA using the appropriate appeal form. Documentation supporting the appeal must accompany the appeal form where applicable. Additional information related to the appeals process may be obtained from the School for Education office.

*Please note: It is assumed that certified classroom teachers will enter this program with coursework in reading (2 hrs.), math methods (2 hrs.), exceptional child (3 hrs.), and child and adolescent psychology/growth and development (3 hrs.). As students must meet all state certification requirements, additional coursework may be necessary for certification depending on previous preparation and/or prior teaching experience.

**Please note: Course required for all degree-seeking TAC candidates.

The curriculum is based on Missouri Certification Requirements, Missouri Standards for Teacher Preparation, and the standards of the Council for Exceptional Children.

Graduation Requirements

• Successful completion of 36 credit hours, with no grade lower than a "C," in the required courses, with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
• Advanced Candidate must successfully pass the SFE Disposition Instrument for Advanced Candidates for completion of Practicum in Cross-Categorical Disabilities. In addition to graduation requirements stated in the Academic Policies, an approved portfolio that addresses satisfactorily the Missouri Standards for teacher certification is required. The portfolio must be presented by the fifth week of the last term in the student's program. A student cannot complete the program or be recommended for certification without an acceptable portfolio.
• See Academic Policies - Graduation Requirements for more information.
• An Application for Graduation is required before a completion statement is posted to the transcript. Application for Graduation is available online at www.park.edu/graduation. Students must return the completed form with the appropriate fee.

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