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2025-2026 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Master of Education in Special Education - Autism Spectrum Disorder 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.

Admission

Students who are degree seeking and are 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
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 - Autism Spectrum Disorder

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

Social Foundations of Education

Choose one course (three credits) from the following:

Research and Evaluation

Autism Spectrum Disorder Coursework

Requires 15 credits, including:

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.

Requirements for an Initial Special Education Endorsement - Autism Spectrum Disorder (36 credits)

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)

Autism Spectrum Disorder Courses (18 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 Autism Spectrum Disorder, 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 - Autism Spectrum Disorder (24 credits)

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

Autism Spectrum Disorder 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 Autism Spectrum Disorder, 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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