Master of Education in Teaching Students with Disabilities (M.Ed.)

30 Hours

A graduate with the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree will hold knowledge and skills in the following areas:

1. The Learner and Learning
   1. Learner Development: The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
   2. Learning Differences: The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
   3. Learning Environments: The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive
      social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.
      
2. Content
   
   1. Content Knowledge: The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) they teach and creates learning
      experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
   2. Application of Content: The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and
      collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
3. Instructional Practice
   1. Assessment: The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and the learner’s decision making.
   2. Planning for Instruction: The teacher plans instruction and supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
   3. Instructional Strategies: The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
4. Professional Responsibility
   1. Professional Learning and Ethical Practice: The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate their practice,
      particularly the effects of their choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs
      of each learner.
   2. Leadership and Collaboration: The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

21 HOURS EDUCATION FOUNDATION

• SPED-5003 Foundations of Supporting Students with Disabilities
• SPED-5013 Characteristics of Students with Disabilities
• SPED-5023 Intervention, Identification, and Core Content for Students with Disabilities
• SPED-5033 Methods for Teaching Students with Disabilities
• SPED-5043 Methods for Teaching Students with Disabilities II
• SPED-5053 Professionalism and Collaboration for Educators Working with Students with Disabilities
• SPED-5133 Characteristics of Students with Severe and Profound Disabilities
  

6 HOURS TEACHING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES CHOSEN FROM

• EDUC-5063 Foundations of Addressing Student Well-being
• EDUC-5433 The Science of Reading
• SPED-5143 Cultivating Leadership Skills to Support Students with Disabilities Supporting English
• SPED-5153 Learners with Disabilities
  

3 HOURS CAPSTONE

• EDUC-5793 Capstone Project