Special Education Ed.S.

Program Description

 

The primary objective of the advanced programs in Special Education is for candidates to develop skills that facilitate their action as change agents in educational settings serving individuals with disabilities. Through sequenced coursework and assessments, candidates will gain skills and knowledge in designing and implementing research-based programs in field-based settings. Graduates of the program will possess the knowledge and skills to become leaders in their schools and to positively impact school and system practices.

The primary strength of our programs lies in the wide impact of the programs in advancing evidence-based practices in special education. Several leadership roles have been earned by candidates and graduates of the programs are a direct result of the knowledge and skills gained in designing and implementing evidence based programs

Our programs are broadly focused on special education (i.e., the issues related to the education of learners with disabilities) while providing extensive opportunities for each student to concentrate on and conduct research within their specific area of interest.
 

Program Admissions Requirements

• Submission of official transcripts from all colleges/university attended
• A master’s degree with 3.25 GPA or higher from an accredited college/university
• A Georgia Professional certificate, level five (5) in Special Education or its equivalent
• Two professional recommendations (pdf) using the School of Education format
• Verification of Immunization (pdf)
• At least two years teaching experience
• Satisfactory interview with the faculty admissions committee

Program of Study

The Specialist in Education program requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of course work beyond the Master of Education degree or the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Specialist programs must be completed, with the degree awarded, within four years of the initial coursework listed on the program of study. Only those courses listed on the Program of Graduate Study fulfill degree requirements. Substitutions must be approved by the advisor prior to course enrollment and a Change of Graduate Program of Study form submitted to the appropriate departmental chairperson prior to enrollment Up to nine (9)- graduate credit hours may be transferred from another program with the approval of the advisor prior to course enrollment. The appropriate form and documentation must be submitted with your request. Grades below a B do not fulfill degree requirements.

Total Credit Hours: 30

 

Advisement

Each candidate for the Specialist in Education degree is assigned a graduate advisor who serves as a mentor to the Specialist Candidate and assists in proposing, scheduling and completing the Specialist in Education Program of Graduate Study.

Exit Requirements

All students must pass a comprehensive departmental exit requirement and fulfill degree requirements to graduate including an electronic portfolio presentation. Students should check with their assigned program advisor for specifics.

Graduate Assistantships

Limited Graduate Assistantships are available. Details and an application can be found at http://www.gcsu.edu/sites/files/page-assets/node-512/attachments/application_form_pdf.pdf.

Dismissal Policy

Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA during the program.  Students must earn a grade of B or higher in each class for it to count toward graduation requirements.  If a student's GPA falls below a 3.0, he/she may petition to stay in the program for one semester on academic probation.  If at the end of the semester on probation the student's GPA is still below a 3.0, he/she will be dismissed from the program.  Any student who plagiarizes work will fail that course (receive an F) and be referred to the Judicial Council for a violation of Georgia College's Honor Code.