Special Education - Ed.S., M.Ed. and Ph.D. Download to print

The Master of Education in Special Education consists of nine concentrations: Deaf Education, Early Child Special Education, Early Education of the Handicapped Endorsement, ASL/English Interpreting, General Special Education, Gifted, Mild/Moderate Education Needs, Moderate/Intensive Educational Needs and Transition to Work.

Deaf Education provides students with the coursework and field experiences necessary to be a licensed as a Special Education teacher in the area of deaf education.

The Early Childhood Intervention specialist licensure program is designed to train professionals to work with young children with diverse abilities (including those with severe disabilities) from age three to grade three, primarily in inclusive non-categorical settings. Training is provided on collaborating with general educators, special educators, related service providers, parents, and the community members. The program is grounded in pedagogy that is multi-paradigmatic and provides a variety of theoretical perspectives related to teaching young children. A family-guided and culturally responsive framework to serve young children with disabilities and their families is also followed and provides students with the skills necessary to participate in the global community, serve as critical consumers and lifelong learners, and operate as effective transdisciplinary team members.

Early Education of the Handicapped Endorsement can be added to any Special Education license, the Early Childhood Education license and/or the Pre-K validation. The endorsement provides teachers with the coursework and field experiences necessary to work effectively with pre-school aged children with disabilities in a variety of settings.

ASL/English Interpreting prepares interpreters to work with children who are deaf or hard of hearing in an educational setting. Graduates are eligible to receive Ohio licensure in educational interpreting (grades kindergarten to 12). This prepares graduates to interpret in both classroom and non-classroom settings within educational settings and to perform related student support activities, including subject-matter tutoring and other student support tasks under the supervision of a licensed or certified classroom teacher.

General Special Education prepares quality teachers of exceptional learners. The masters in general special education provides an opportunity for already licensed teachers to engage in endorsement or certificate training to enhance their existing skills.   Moreover, graduates learn to use evidence-based practices to guide their direct service, support and consultation skills in schools and other agencies as professionals work together with individuals with exceptionalities and their families. 

The Gifted concentration enables educators to obtain an Ohio Endorsement for Gifted Education.

Mild/Moderate Educational Needs provides students with the coursework and field experiences to be licensed, valid for teaching learners—ages five to 21, and grades kindergarten to 12—who have been identified with a disability that requires mild to moderate intervention (e.g. learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, developmental disabilities.)

Moderate/Intensive Educational Needs program provides students with the coursework and field experiences necessary to be licensed, valid for teaching learners—ages five to 21, and grades kindergarten to 12—who have been identified with a disability that requires moderate to intensive intervention (e.g. developmental disabilities, multiple disabilities.)

The Transition to Work endorsement is for teachers licensed as Special Educations and vocational educators. This endorsement leads to a single qualification applicable to all former transition roles (e.g., work study, vocational special education, Option IV). With field experience, graduates are prepared to support youth with disabilities in their transition planning and services.


The Educational Specialist and Ph.D. in Special Education prepares tomorrow’s teachers of exceptional learners.
 

M.Ed.: Official transcript(s), goal statement, two letters of recommendation and good moral character verification. The Praxis I exam is also required for initial licensure candidates.

Please refer to the university policy for graduate admission.

Ed.S and Ph.D.: Official transcript(s), GRE, goal statement, two letters of recommendation and interview. Admission into the Ph.D. also requires preliminary written exam and resume or vita.

Please refer to the university policy for graduate admission.

M.Ed.: The Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree requires a minimum of 32 semester hours of graduate coursework including at least 16 semester hours at the 60000 level or above. A major consisting of 18 or more semester hours in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services is required. M.Ed. students have six years from the term of first enrollment to complete the degree.

Licensure Requirement (not required for graduation):
Candidates seeking Ohio licensure are required to pass specific assessments in order to apply for licensure. Students should consult their advisors for specific program requirements and refer to the See Ohio Department of Education-Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type.

Ed.S: Upon admission to the Ed.S. degree program, students will be assigned an advisor.

Ph.D: After admission to the Ph.D. degree program, students plan a program of study with their respective faculty advisory committee headed by their advisor. Students’ programs may include at least one appropriate graduate-level minor or cognate as well as the major.