Autism Spectrum Disorder, Elementary, English as a Second Language, Gifted Ed, Special Ed K-12, Special Ed Add-ons
Overview
The Master of Education (MEd) is a professional degree designed for those who seek advanced study in education and related fields. The program is intended for teachers who are already licensed or individuals who are pursuing careers that do not require teacher licensure.
The degree and following areas of emphasis consist of a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours, focused on a common set of 15-16 hours of core coursework, and followed by an area of emphasis of the student's choice. The areas of emphasis are:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Elementary Education (with additional licensure option)
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Gifted Education (with add-on licensure option)
- Special Education General Curriculum K-12 (with additional licensure option)
- Special Education General Curriculum Add-on K-6, 6-8, or 6-12 (with add-on licensure option)
Required Core Courses
Plus completion of at least one of the following areas of emphasis:
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Includes ASD courses listed below plus one additional 3 credit hour graduate course:
- Elective graduate course (3 s.h.)
Elementary Education
Additional co-requisites apply and are determined following a detailed transcript analysis.
Students are required to meet CAEP requirements for the Elementary Education PK-6 endorsement. Students must meet the Initial Levels of Teacher Education Program Progression for ED 607 and ED 609/611. Please see the initial licensure section of the catalog for details.
Note: Additional requirements include verification that the following courses were completed during initial licensure (if missing they will need to be taken): Characteristics of Exceptionality, Lifespan Human Development, Assessment Of and For Learning, Foundations of Education. May be substituted for the Required Core courses IN 627 and IN 629.
English as a Second Language (PK-12)
Required: 6 s.h. modern, spoken foreign language through the intermediate level before finishing the program.
Gifted Education
In addition to the courses listed below, the Gifted Education emphasis requires one graduate elective:
- Graduate Elective (3 s.h.)
Also required: Proof of English Composition/Writing
Special Education General Curriculum K-12
This is for any student seeking the full K-12 Special Education endorsement to add to any active VA teaching license, except CTE.
Note: Students are required to meet CAEP requirements for the Special Education K-12 endorsement. Students must meet the Initial Levels of Teacher Education Program Progression for ED 624 and ED 614/611. Please see the initial licensure section of the catalog for details.
Additional requirements include verification that the following courses were completed during initial licensure (if missing they will need to be taken): Characteristics of Exceptionality, Classroom Behavior and Management, Lifespan Human Development, Assessment Of and For Learning, Foundations of Education, Language Acquisition and Literacy, Content Area Reading. May be substituted for the Required Core courses IN 627 and IN 629.
Additional requirements under this emphasis area:
- Graduate elective (3 s.h.)
- Proof of English Composition/Writing
- Professional Ethics Exam
- Reading for Virginia Educators: Elementary and Special Education (RVE)
Special Education General Curriculum K-6 Add-on (for students with an existing Elementary Ed license)
Required:
- Proof of English Composition/Writing
- Professional Ethics Exam
Special Education General Curriculum 6-8 Add-on (for students with an existing Middle School license)
Required:
- Proof of English Composition/Writing
- Professional Ethics Exam
Special Education General Curriculum 6-12 Add-on (for students with an existing Secondary Ed license)
Required:
- Proof of English Composition/Writing
- Professional Ethics Exam
Notes for Special Education Add-on Endorsements (K-6, 6-8, 6-12)
Additional co-requisites apply and are determined following a detailed transcript analysis.
Note: ED 691, ED 692, and ED 693 Applied Practicum hours must be done in the context of a 12-week full-time placement and must reflect direct instruction. Examples of non-instructional hours include planning, observation, educational meetings, professional development, etc. Also, 20 or more hours must be at a different grade level (elementary, middle/high). In order to be eligible to complete the field experience (ED 691, 692, or 693) one must have completed, or be concurrently enrolled in, all remaining endorsement courses.