College of Education
Master of Art in Special Education
High Incidence Disabilities
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Dr. Beverly Kling
Hennings Hall (HH) room 312
(908) 737-3845
bkling@kean.edu
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Master of Arts in Special Education, High Incidence Disabilities Option includes two concentrations: Learning Disabilities and Emotionally Disturbed. The Learning Disabilities concentration provides students with an in-depth background in working with students who are learning disabled. Students learn about the physiological causes of learning disabilities, enabling them to gain a more holistic perspective of their students. Students plan, implement, and assess instruction for learning disabled individuals in their clinical experience that takes place on campus in the Child Study Institute. The experience is incorporated into a required course, where students are trained in the learning strategies model, instruct a learning disabled student and engage in parent/teacher conferences. The Emotionally Disturbed concentration provides students with an in-depth background in working with students who are emotionally disturbed or socially maladjusted. Coursework actively involves students in critical thinking activities, where they examine and analyze theories and practices in teaching students in this domain, with a strong emphasis on best practices in behavior management. Students may apply to receive New Jersey certification as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities after the completion of the required 21 credits.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the University's admission requirements:
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 from most recent degree
- GRE (Graduate Record Exam) or MAT (Miller Analogies Test) scores
- New Jersey Instructional Certificate (in most cases)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Departmental interview may be required
- Writing sample may be required
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
- 36 credits without co-requisite; 39 credits with co-requisite
- Master’s Thesis
- Comprehensive examination
- Professional Development Portfolio
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
CO-REQUISITE
- SPED 5005 Foundations in Special Education (waived for students certified in the field of special education and students who have approved, introductory prerequisite course)
REQUIRED COURSES 24 credits (without co-requisite)
- SPED 5020 Educational Strategies for Students with Disabilities* 3
- SPED 5050 Assessment in Special Education* 3
- SPED 5023 Technology for Students with Disabilities* 3
- SPED 5024 Differentiating Instruction in the Inclusive Classroom* 3
- SPED 5068 Transition in Special Education* 3
- SPED 5197 Problems and Issues in Special Education Research** 3
- SPED 5198 Advanced Seminar in Special Education I 3
- SPED 5199 Advanced Seminar in Special Education II 3
Concentration A: Learning Disabilities – 9 credits
- SPED 5410 Learning Disabilities and Literacy* 3
- SPED 5412 Learning Strategies: Teaching the Student with Learning Disabilities 3
- SPED 5000 Physiological Bases of Learning 3
Concentration B: Emotionally Disturbed – 9 credits
- SPED 5310 The Emotionally Disturbed Student and Literacy Motivation in the Classroom* 3
- SPED 5321 Nature and Needs of Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders 3
- SPED 5315 Education of the Abandoned, Neglected and Abused Child 3
Elective – 3 credits
- One elective, either from another option, from offered electives in the Special Education Graduate Program, or from another subject, with advisor approval. 3
*These courses must be completed to apply for NJ certification as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities
- ** SPED 5197 must be taken prior to SPED 5198-5199
TOTAL 36 CREDITS
(without co-requisite)