Department of Special Education
Master of Education in Special Education
Frequently
Asked Questions
Program Questions:
Eligibility & Application Questions:
Course Registration Questions:
Program Questions:
- What is the difference between the Special Education M.Ed. Certification
Track and the MAT track? The MAT Special Education Track
is designed for career changers interested in obtaining certification in Special Education.
- What Special Education Certification areas are available through my
study at Towson University? The
Maryland State Department of Education grants certification to individuals who
have met the requirements specified by state law.
Currently, there are certifications in generic special education at the
infant/primary (birth - grade 3), elementary /middle (grades 1-8), and
secondary/adult (grades 6-12) levels. The
Towson University Department of Special Education offers an approved program for these three certifications.
MSDE
also grants certification to work with students who are hearing impaired,
severely and profoundly disabled, and visually impaired.
Towson University does not offer programs to prepare for these
certifications.
- What
standards are used in evaluating the Special Education M.Ed. Program? The Special Education M.Ed. Certification Track is based on the Council for Exceptional Children's Standards for Beginning Special Educators. These standards guide the coursework, the final portfolio, the field experiences and internship evaluation, and the national Praxis II: Special Education Category Tests (0357 and 0352). Contact MSDE for more information (MSDE link found on "Related Links" page).
Eligibility & Application Questions:
- What do I need to do to apply for the Special Education M.Ed.
Program? Click on the "application procedure" on this website.
- I have a current professional teaching certificate in another state. Am I
eligible to apply to the Special Education M.Ed. Program? Yes,
the Special Education M.Ed. Program requires that you have a professional
teaching certificate in a field other than Special Education; you will meet that eligibility requirement. When you
complete the Special Education M.Ed. Certification Track, we will place a "completed an approved program in special education" stamp on your
transcript. There are additional
requirements for Maryland certification. We strongly recommend that you contact the
certification specialist in your school system or at Maryland State Department
of Education for an analysis of your teaching credentials. They will tell you if
you have additional requirements to become certified in Maryland.
- I am currently teaching under a provisional teaching certificate and want
to earn my master's degree in special education at Towson University.
What should I do? Contact the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program here at Towson University,
which now has a Special Education Track. They
specialize in analyzing students' transcripts for courses and content covered
in the past. They can tailor make
the program to streamline the process so that you can earn your
teaching certificate and your master's at the same time.
Contact the MAT office at 410-704-4110 or dpiper @towson.edu.
-
I have been taking graduate courses at Towson University, and I am
interested in applying for the M.Ed. program.
What should I do? If you have, or are currently taking graduate courses as a non-degree candidate and now wish to pursue a Master of Education in Special Education, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies and Research at 410-704-2501. You will not need
to pay the $50 application fee again, but you will need to complete the application process for admission to the Department of Special Education. If you hold a professional teaching certificate, you should
apply for the Special Education M.Ed.
- I am an international student. My TOEFL score is below the minimum (550) required by the graduate
office. What can I do? All
international students are screened through the office of International Graduate Admissions & Advising, 410-704-3317
at www.towson.edu/grad
- I am a "career changer" interested in becoming certified to teach
special education. What is the
procedure? Students who are changing careers and now want to enter the teaching profession may have prerequisite courses to complete.
The best program for you is the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), which
now has a Special Education Track. They
specialize in analyzing students' transcripts for courses and content covered
in the past. They can tailor
the program to streamline the process so that the student can earn their
teaching certificate and their master's at the same time.
Contact the M.A.T. office at 410-704-4935 or dpiper@towson.edu.
Course Registration Questions:
- I
have been accepted into the Special Education M.Ed. Program.
How do I get a "seat code permit" for a special education
graduate course?
When you meet with your assigned advisor, you will be given an "Advising Data
Form," signed by your advisor. There
will be a box in the lower left corner indicating the courses you have been
advised to register in for the next semester or two.
During the "Permits Available" time, take this form to Cathy March, the Administrative Assistant in 404 Hawkins Hall. She will assign you a seat code permit for the course on a first
come, first served basis. When
you register using the TOPS system, you will be asked to enter the seat code
permit for the course. If you
decide not to register for the course, please inform Mrs. March so she can
assign the number to someone on the waiting list. Each semester, prior to registration opening, students will attend a graduate meeting where they will receive information on available course offerings. Attendees will complete a planning sheet indicating their course choices. The Department will issue seat permits for those courses chosen. You will be notified via e-mail when you are cleared to register.
- I
am already a certified teacher, and I want to take one (or two) special
education graduate courses to renew my certification.
What should I do?
You should go to the Center for
Professional Practice (303 Hawkins Hall) to complete the application to the
Graduate Office. Be sure to tell them that you are already a certified
teacher. They will assign you a
Special Education Advisor who will meet with you and give you the necessary
permits to take the graduate special education course.
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