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2025-2026 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Master of Education in Special Education - Specific Learning Disability Emphasis

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

Website: gvsu.edu/education/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 and Community Innovation 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 and Community Innovation 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

The program is nationally recognized by the 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.

Requirements for an Initial Special Education Endorsement - Specific Learning Disability (33 credits)

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

Social Foundations of Education (3 credits)

Choose one course from the following:

Research and Evaluation

Complete the following (3 credits):

Specific Learning Disability Emphasis Courses (15 credits):

Elective Courses (12 credits):

  • Advisor-approved EDC, EDI, EDS, EDT, and/or EDR courses

Before enrolling in classes, candidates should meet with their advisor to outline a planned program. Applications are required for both EDS 685 and EDS 693. Application deadlines are February 15 for spring/summer semester, May 15 for fall semester, and September 15 for winter semester.

Candidates must fulfill all degree requirements within a period of 8 consecutive years. (Note: The first graduate course counted toward the degree is the starting point for this 8-year period.) Candidates must maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or greater and earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in each course.

This program is for candidates who possess a valid Michigan teaching certificate but DO NOT possess a Michigan special education endorsement.

Special Education Courses (18 credits)

Specific Learning Disability Courses (15 credits)

Before enrolling in classes, candidates should meet with their advisor to outline a planned program. Applications are required for EDS 550 and EDS 685. Application deadlines are February 15 for spring/summer semester, May 15 for fall semester, and September 15 for winter semester.

In addition to completing courses, candidates adding an endorsement must pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification Learning Disabilities, maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or greater, and earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in each course.

Requirements for an Additional Special Education Endorsement - Specific Learning Disability (24 credits)

This program is for candidates who possess a valid Michigan teaching certificate and possess at least one Michigan special education endorsement.

Specific Learning Disability Courses (18 credits)

Elective Courses (6 credits)

  • Advisor-approved EDC, EDI, EDS, EDT, and/or EDR courses

Before enrolling in classes, candidates should meet with their advisor to outline a planned program. An application is required for EDS 685. Application deadlines are February 15 for spring/summer semester, May 15 for fall semester, and September 15 for winter semester.

In addition to completing courses, candidates adding an endorsement must pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification Learning Disabilities, maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or greater, and earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in each course.


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