Initial Adolescence and Special Education Generalist 7-12, M.Ed.
[Initial Adolescence and Special Education 7-12, M.Ed.-0401, 1905.01, 1917.01, 1501, 1199.01, 1701.01, 1902.01, 2201, 1105.01]
A program perfect for those who have a bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts or science field (i.e. Mathematics, History, English, Biology/Chemistry, etc.) and want to change careers to teaching or need to complete professional certification. Prepare for New York State teaching certification and earn a Master of Education degree in Adolescence and Special Education (Grades 7-12) in an affordable and flexible dual certification program developed for time-constrained adults.
Available Content Areas:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Social Studies
- Spanish
Admissions Criteria:
- Writing Sample - Please attach an essay of 300-500 words explaining why you seek admission to this program. Include how this program will help you achieve your personal and/or career goals.
- Resume - Please attach a one-page professional resume highlighting your professional experience. Please include teaching, coaching, or mentoring experiences.
- Transcripts - One official transcript from all colleges/universities attended. The department seeks a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. A transcript review by an Admissions Counselor is required to determine if any additional courses are needed for enrollment based on NYSED certification guidelines.
- Recommendations - Two professional recommendations are needed.
SPECIFICS OF THE INITIAL ADOLESCENCE AND SPECIAL EDUCATION GENERALIST, M.Ed. DEGREE
Minimum Total Hours: 45
Minimum Requirements: Overall and major GPA of 3.0 with no grade less than B-.
Major Requirements: 45
- GEDU 5010 (3) Planning, Instruction & Assessment
- GEDU 5027 (3) Child & Adolescent Development & Learning
- GEDU 5011 (3) Social Foundation of Education for Every Student
- GEDU 5017 (3) Differentiated Planning & Teaching Strategy
- GEDU 5031 (3) Instructional & Adaptive Technology
- GEDU 5012 (3) Historical Foundations of Special Education
- GEDU 5025 (3) Assessment for Student Learning
- GEDU 5016 (3) Literacy Theories and Practice
- GEDU 5026 (3) Master's Project
- GEDU 5032 (3) Methods of Content Instruction
- GEDU 5021 (3) Instructional Mgt for Prod Learning Env
- GEDU 5020 (3) Application of Literacy Theory
- GEDU 6007 (2) Capstone Seminar
- GEDU 6009* (2) Student Teaching 7-9
- GEDU 6008* (3) Student Teaching SPED
- GEDU 6012* (2) Student Teaching 10-12
Field Experience Requirement | Students must complete 150 hours of fieldwork
Student Teaching Practicum | 14 Weeks
*Students must meet additional requirements for these courses. Please see the Fieldwork Handbook for more information.
To obtain New York State certification, students must meet the following requirements:
- CST | Content Specialty Test in Appropriate Content Area
- CST | Students with Disabilities Test
- EAS | Educating All Students
- Teacher Portfolio Assessment
- SAVE | Mandatory Workshop
- Child Abuse | Mandatory Workshop
- DASA - Dignity for All Students | Mandatory Workshop
- Autism Training | Mandatory Workshop
- Fingerprinting clearance
After completing all academic requirements and all required workshops, the student will be recommended to the state by Roberts Wesleyan University. A student who has not completed the required workshops will not be recommended to the state until completing the mandatory workshops. If a student has not completed all the workshops six months after the student's conferral date, they must apply for certification through individual evaluation. RWU will not recommend the student for certification.
Transfer Policy:
Master of Education program applicants may request that the University accept graduate courses from other institutions for transfer credit. The following conditions apply to such requests:
- Courses must have been taken within five years of the date of application to the Roberts Wesleyan University M.Ed. degree program.
- A formal course description (for example, from a course catalog or course syllabus) must be provided for each course the applicant wishes Roberts to consider. The Program Advisor and the Director will compare the course description with similar courses in the Roberts Wesleyan University M.Ed. program to determine equivalence. The course description will also be presented to the Registrar’s office as evidence of equivalence, just as an official transcript is presented as evidence of successful course completion.
- More than a 12-hour limit may be granted in unusual cases after the Program Advisor, the Program Director, and the Department Chair review. Examples of possible exceptions are students transferring into a program from another Roberts program (such as an Initial Adolescence or Transition B Adolescence graduate seeking further study and certification in Special Education). The percentage of courses accepted for credit will be limited to 50% (NOTE: this is consistent with practice at the undergraduate level when a 2-year student is accepted as a junior, representing a 50% transfer of credit).
Stop Out Policy:
Once a Stop Out is directed due to a failing grade, the student must submit a written request to show an intention of re-joining the program with the next cohort. Students must submit the request to the Program Direct. It must explicitly state steps the student will take to ensure success upon return (i.e., taking a writing course to improve writing skills, sorting out home-life issues, getting settled into a new job, etc.). Once the written request is received, the Program Director will first consult with the Steering Committee and then meet with the student to develop a re-entry plan. The student must adhere to all stipulations of the plan and earn a passing grade in the failed course on the second attempt to continue in the program.