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2020-2021 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Master of Education in Special Education - Emotional Impairment Emphasis

For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Education section of this catalog.

Website: gvsu.edu/coe/grad

Mission

Teaching, leading, and learning in a democratic society.

Philosophy

Believing that schools function as social and political entities as well as for the growth of individuals, the College of Education prepares teachers and leaders a) to enhance the academic and personal potential of their students, and b) to evaluate the social and ethical implications of educational policies and practices.

Values

The College of Education values expertise to guide our practice, equity to guide our interactions, liberal education to guide our perspectives, and social responsibility to guide our commitment to democratic education. We value these ideals in our preparation of candidates, our development of faculty, and our relationships with the larger community we serve.

Accreditation

  • Nationally Recognized by Specialty Program Association: Council for Exceptional Children
  • Michigan Department of Education Approved

Minimum Number of Hours in Program
All degree-seeking students are required to take a minimum of 33 credit hours, including foundations, emphasis courses and Capstone.

Admission

Students who are degree-seeking and working for special education endorsement are required to take additional courses beyond the normal requirements for the master's degree.

Students who want to enroll in a master's degree program and are not seeking special education endorsement should select a master's degree emphasis program and consult with a special education graduate advisor to develop a program consisting of foundations and emphasis coursework, including research applications.

Program Location
The program is offered at DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus, located in downtown Grand Rapids, MI.

Requirements for M.Ed. in Special Education: Emotional Impairment

Candidates for the M.Ed. degree must complete the following courses.

Social Foundations of Education

Choose one of the following courses (three credits) to complete early in program:

Research Foundations

The following course (three credits) should be completed early in program:

Special Education

Requires six or 12 credits. Candidates completing the EI emphasis as an additional endorsement must choose two courses from EDS 625, EDS 627, EDS 629. Candidates completing their first endorsement must complete all the following:

Emotional Impairment

Requires 15 credits, including:

Practicum Coursework

The following course (three credits) is required for all EI candidates:

Students must apply in advance for each practicum course. Advisor approval is required. Application deadlines (practicum): February 15 for spring/summer, May 15 for fall, September 15 for winter semester.

Capstone

Requires three or six credits. Choose one of the following:

Students should meet with their advisor midway through their program to decide on a Capstone and discuss plans for completion. Subject to department approval, Capstone courses may be taken in variable amounts from one to three credits (693) or one to six credits (695) and require continuous enrollment each semester until completed.

Application deadlines (thesis/project): February 15 for spring/summer, May 15 for fall, September 15 for winter semester.

Requirements for Emotional Impairment K-12 Endorsement

Candidates for this program must possess a valid Michigan teaching certificate. Candidates adding a new endorsement must pass the Michigan Subject Area Tests and maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Special Education

Requires six or 12 credits. Candidates completing the El emphasis as an additional endorsement must choose two courses from EDS 625, EDS 627, EDS 629.

Candidates completing their first endorsement must complete all the following courses:

Preteaching

Requires six credits, including:

EDS 550 - Preteaching and Methods of Teaching Special Education (6 credits) Required for EI candidates who DO NOT hold a special education endorsement. Application required. Candidates with approved special education experiences may seek a waiver of the EDS 550 requirement.

Emotional Impairment

Requires 15 credits. The following are required for all EI candidates:

Practicum/Graduate Field Experience

Requires three credits, including:

Students must apply in advance for each practicum course. Advisor approval is required. Application deadlines (practicum): February 15 for spring/summer, May 15 for fall, September 15 for winter semester.



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