Master of Science in Special Education
As a leader in online education and special education certification, Drexel's Master of Science in Special Education (SPED) is designed to train highly qualified professionals to expand educational horizons for all students in need. It is a certification-driven program with the goal of preparing teachers with the skills and knowledge to advance learning for all students with disabilities. The SPED program is a flexible, online program of study. Coursework builds on the essentials of special education, from its history and a study of inclusive classrooms, to literacy and content skill development for individuals at-risk, leading to an opportunity to create expertise in specific areas through a concentration in one of the following areas:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Technologies for Special Education
- Language & Cultural Issues
- Customized Study, for individuals who already possess special education certification
As an experiential degree that provides in-depth theory regarding disabilities connected to actual educational practice, a variety of field experiences are built into the program’s core certification curriculum. Field experiences are an essential part of the coursework. Students apply what they learn in a real classroom setting and develop a professional model for teaching that will benefit them throughout their career.
The SPED program prepares students for the required special education certification needed in the state of Pennsylvania. It provides an opportunity for an add-on teaching certificate in the area of Special Education.* Candidates must meet the prerequisite requirements and must have been issued a prior PA instructional I or Instruction II teaching certificate. Out-of-state teachers are welcome to participate in the SPED program as non-certification students.
More information on the Master of Science in Special Education is available on the Special Education website.
* In order to qualify for PA Instructional I Special Education N–12 certification, all certification courses must be completed (with the required minimum grade), the Praxis Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications Test (code 0354 or 5354) must be taken and passed and the application for PA certification must be in TIMS (Teacher Information Management System) by August 31, 2013. Students completing the certification courses and passing the PECT Special Education PreK–8 Modules (Modules 1 and 2) after 8/31/13, will be eligible for the PA Instructional I Special Education PreK–8 certification.
