Education: Special Education (EDSP)

Abstract

Graduate studies in the Department of Special Education include programs leading to Master of Arts and Master of Education degrees, Advanced Graduate Specialist certificates, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Areas of concentration may include: learning disabilities; behavior disorders; severe disabilities (including autism); early childhood (including infancy); secondary and transition special education; and special education policy studies. The department also offers a graduate teacher preparation program in the following areas: early childhood special education, elementary special education, secondary/middle special education, and/or severe disabilities.

Historically, employment opportunities for special education graduates have been excellent. Students who graduate with a master's degree in special education may find many leadership positions in the public and private schools such as master teachers, curriculum specialists, program coordinators, or other specialized support staff. Doctoral degree graduates may find university faculty positions or professional staff positions in state departments of education, the federal government and in the public schools. Private agencies and organizations may also seek doctoral graduates as researchers, program directors or specialized support staff.

Admissions Information

For the Master's of Education and AGS programs, students must submit scores on the PRAXIS I test (meeting the state of Maryland passing scores) prior to admission into the department and have an undergraduate 3.0 GPA. The Master's of Arts program requires a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and the submission of the Miller Analogies Test or the Graduate Record Examination test scores at or above the 40th percentile rank. Admission to the doctoral program requires a 3.5 grade point average in previous graduate studies, a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, and at least a 50 percentile on Graduate Record Examination.

Graduate programs are planned individually by the student and advisor to reflect each student's background and goals. Individual programming by students and advisers allows a wide latitude of career direction within the field of special education upon completion of graduate study.

Graduate study in special education requires advanced competencies in the education of children and youth with disabilities. Students who enter the program with special education certification are required to take a minimum of 30 credit hours for a MEd degree and a minimum of 36 credit hours for a MA degree. Students who enter without academic preparation in education and wish to receive special education certification are required to take approximately 40-45 credit hours. Upon successfuly completion of the teacher education degree requirements, students will be recommended for Maryland State Certification in Special Education.

Application Deadlines

Fall

Spring

Domestic Applicants:
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

Domestic Applicant Deadlines

Applications must be received by May 1 (March 1 preferred) .

Applications must be received by October 1 (September 1 preferred) .

International Applicants:
Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials

IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.

Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas

February 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1

June 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants

May 1
If Domestic Deadline is after May 1

October 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials

May 15
If Domestic Deadline is after May 15

October 31
If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Application Requirements

1. GRE for Ph.D., Miller Analogies or GRE General for M.A., Praxis I for M.Ed. or A.G.S. (at State of Maryland cut scores) 2. 3 Letters of Recommendation 3. Statement of Goals

	Fall	Spring
Domestic Applicants: U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
Domestic Applicant Deadlines	Applications must be received by May 1 (March 1 preferred) .	Applications must be received by October 1 (September 1 preferred) .

International Applicants: Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.
Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas	February 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1	June 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants	May 1 If Domestic Deadline is after May 1	October 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials	May 15 If Domestic Deadline is after May 15	October 31 If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Degree Requirements

Advanced Graduate Specialist Certificate (A.G.S.)
The Advanced Graduate Specialist certificate in special education is available to students who wish to take graduate courses beyond the master's degree. The minimum number of graduate hours is 60 (of which no more than 30 credits can be applied from another institution). The core of the program is made up of required special education courses in addition to other coursework within the university as approved by the student's adviser and the special education graduate faculty. The College of Education awards the certificate.

Master's of Education or Master's of Arts (M.Ed. or M.A.)
Students enrolled in the master's degree program in special education may earn the Master of Arts degree or the Master of Education degree. For students with special education certification, basic course requirements are similar for either program except for M.A. thesis requirements (6 credits of EDSP 799). The student determines with his or her adviser the specific program and coursework required according to the student's background and career plans.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D. )
The Ph.D. in special education is targeted primarily toward research, scholarship and educational leadership. The selection of a major concentration in learning disabilities, behavior disorders, severe disabilities, early childhood special education, secondary/transition special education, and policy studies for individuals with disabilities achieves these goals. A variety of minor specializations taken outside the Department is also possible. Content course work in the areas of administration and policy studies is developed in collaboration with other departments in the college and university.

Students pursuing the doctoral program in special education must have completed the Master of Arts degree or the Master of Education degree in special education or a related area. A student in the doctoral program will generally complete a minimum of 90 hours of graduate study (including up to 30 credits from a student's masters program) of which 30 to 40 hours will be in the major field. Candidates must meet doctoral competencies in research, teaching, and professional practice and in an area of concentration listed above that fulfill their professional goals. A one year residency requirement is necessary for graduation. Students should consult the Department website on Graduate Programs for more information.

Facilities and Special Resources

The special education program's strengths include integrated field experiences, special education research facilities and faculty members whose diverse backgrounds enable the Department to maintain an integrated approach.

Financial Assistance

A limited number of fellowships, assistantships and/or grants are available to qualified applicants.

Contact Information

Prospective graduate students are requested to view the departmental website at http://www.education.umd.edu/EDSP/ or consult the handbook on Graduate Programs in Special Education, for additional specific information on Departmental programs, admissions procedures and financial aid. To obtain this booklet, please contact:

Dr. Philip Burke
1308 Benjamin Building
Department of Special Education University of Maryland College Park,
MD 20742
Telephone: (301) 405-6515
edspgrad@deans.umd.edu

http://www.education.umd.edu/EDSP/