Special Education teachers work with students who have a broad range of learning, mental, emotional and physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach such subjects as reading, writing and math to students with mild and moderate disabilities. They also teach basic skills, including literacy and communication techniques, to students with severe disabilities.
Overview
This master’s program is designed for students seeking Pennsylvania certification as Special Education PreK-12 teachers with General Education 7-12 dual certification eligibility. The general education program of study prepares students for certification as secondary content-area teachers in one of the following subject areas:
- Biology 7-12
- Chemistry 7-12
- English 7-12
- Earth and Space Science 7-12
- General Science 7-12
- Mathematics 7-12
- Physics 7-12
- Social Studies 7-12
Extensive fieldwork is integrated into the courses and master’s candidates complete a semester of student teaching before graduating.
Application Requirements
- Transcripts, minimum GPA of 3.0 (undergraduate)
- Two letters of recommendation (at least one recommendation must come from a faculty member at an accredited academic institution)
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Personal essay
Quick Facts
Deadline(s): July 15 for fall start, December 15 for spring start and April 15 for summer start. The application and all supporting materials are due by the listed deadlines.
Modality: On-campus
Course Requirements: 17 courses
Typical Course Load: fall (2 courses), spring (2 courses), summer (2 courses) plus field work which allows candidates to complete the program in two years. Classes are arranged in the late afternoons or evenings to make the program convenient for those who work full-time.
Time to Completion: 3 years
Practical Experience Component: Field work is an important part of the program. Students who are already teachers have the opportunity to complete the field work at their current positions with faculty permission.
Program Alumni: Graduates work as teachers in both public and private K-12 classrooms.
Please Note: Due to Pennsylvania Department of Education criteria, international students are not eligible for PDE certification. Lehigh is unable to provide immigration sponsorship for this program. International students may apply to the M.Ed. Special Education program.
Career Opportunities
Our Special Education faculty are recognized experts in such areas as autism, learning disabilities, academic intervention, emotional behavior disorders and positive behavior support. Master’s candidates learn best practices for designing instruction and teaching students with a wide variety of disabilities.
Once certified to teach in Pennsylvania, that certification has reciprocity in most states.
Curriculum
All courses are 3 credits, unless otherwise noted. Course descriptions can be found in the course catalog
| course number | course name | credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPED 332 | Education and Inclusion of Individuals with Special Needs in K-12 | 3 |
| SPED 404 | Cultural and Linguistic Diversity | 3 |
| SPED 411 | Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| SPED 418 | Alternative Curricular Approaches | 3 |
| SPED 419 | Intensive Intervention in Reading | 3 |
| SPED 421 | Intensive Intervention in Mathematics and Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| SPED 423 | Supporting Transition for Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 432 | Positive Behavior Support | 3 |
| SPED 452 | Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 465 | Advanced Inclusionary Practices in K-12 | 3 |
| course number | course name | credits |
|---|---|---|
| TLT 405 | Principles and Applications of K-12 Assessment | 3 |
| TLT 407 | Instructional Design for K-12 Classrooms | 3 |
| TLT 409 | K-12 Classroom Environment and Management | 3 |
| TLT 432 | Reading and Critical Thinking in Middle Level and High School Education | 3 |
| course number | course name | credits |
|---|---|---|
| TLT 431 | Social Studies in Middle Level and High School Education | 3 |
| TLT 434 | English in Middle Level and High School Education | 3 |
| TLT 436 | Science in Middle Level and High School Education | 3 |
| TLT 438 | Mathematics in Middle Level and High School Education | 3 |
| course number | course name | credits |
|---|---|---|
| TLT 440 | Pre-professional Seminar | 3 |
| SPED 442 | General Education and Special Education Student Teaching and Seminar | 3 |
Pennsylvania Department of Education Requirements
It is important for individuals considering teaching as a career to be aware of the fairly rigorous academic, health, and personal character requirements for teacher certification that are required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) for teacher candidates statewide:
- An overall GPA of at least 3.0 (both graduate and undergraduate).
- Clearances through the Office of Professional Certification
Please refer to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for additional information on Pennsylvania Certification.
Centennial School
Many of our current master’s students who are pursuing their Special Education master’s degree and/or certification work at our highly-acclaimed and nationally-recognized lab school, the Centennial School. A primary goal of Centennial is to prepare special education teachers to work with students with emotional and behavioral needs and autism spectrum disorder as well as students’ families.
Graduate students work full time as supervised teacher associates, while completing their Special Education master’s degree and/or certification. Graduate students who work at Centennial also receive an additional two hours of on-site training every week on topics specific to students with emotional and behavioral disorders and autism spectrum disorder. The workshops are usually presented by professional staff who work at the school and occasionally are presented by one of Centennial's outstanding cadre of professional consultants.
Centennial School offers our graduate students optimal opportunities to engage in hands-on learning and evidence-based practices, including positive behavior support strategies and data-based instruction.
Visit the Centennial School website for employment opportunities. Benefits include a stipend, 18 graduate credit hours of tuition remission annually, and full medical and dental benefits.
Faculty & Staff
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Donna Toothman
Program Coordinator, Teaching, Learning, and Technology & Special Education Programs
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Dr. Minyi Dennis
Associate Professor
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Dr. Julie Fogt
Director of Centennial School and Affiliated Professor
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Dr. Sara Kangas
Associate Professor and Program Director
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Dr. Lee Kern
Professor and Director of the Center for Promoting Research to Practice
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Dr. Kristi Morin
Associate Professor
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Dr. Elise Settanni
Teaching Assistant Professor
