Master of Arts in Special Education

The M.A. in Special Education prepares teachers to teach students with disabilities in a general education or self-contained special education classroom, to work in a related field in special education, or to teach in partnership in an inclusive education setting. The program consists of 33-credits, compromised of a required core (21-credits that fulfill the N.J. Department of Education requirements for the Teacher of Students with Disabilities endorsement).

Option: Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant - LDTC Certification

The program of 36-credits will prepare students to receive both the Teacher of Students with Disabilities endorsements and the LDTC certification.

GENERAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75
  • Official undergraduate/graduate transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation for graduate study
  • Satisfactory scores on the general Graduate Record Exam (GRE), or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) (Students who complete the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in ABA, Special Education or General Education prior to matriculating into the Master’s program in Special Education are exempt from this requirement.)
  • Writing sample: an essay of at least 5 pages, preferably related to special education, that you previously submitted as part of an undergraduate or graduate course.
  • Personal interview

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Required Core Courses (21 credits):

This course sequence is approved by the New Jersey Department of Education requirements for the Teacher of Students with Disabilities endorsement.
ED 521 Overview of Students in Special Education (3)
ED 523 The History of Special Education and the Law (3)
ED 525 Assessment and Planning for Students with Individualized Needs (3)
ED 530 Academic Curriculum Alternatives, Adaptations, and Technology (3)
ED 535 Theories of Teaching, Learning & Reading for Students with Individualized Needs (3)
ED 537 Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers (3)
ED 540 The Special Education Teacher as Collaborator (3)

Transfer of Credit

Caldwell College will accept the transfer of six credits of graduate work from another accredited institution provided the credits were completed within five years of the student’s registration at Caldwell College. Official transcripts of previous graduate work as well as the description of each course must be submitted for review at the time of application. Approval of transfer credit is based on course content and grade earned in the course. Each transfer request will be reviewed by the Program Coordinator.

Statement of Outcomes Assessment

As the capstone requirement for the Masters in Special Education, students pursuing option A (General Education Certification) and C (Learning Disabilities) must successfully complete a two-semester capstone course, ED 610 Education Research I & ED 611 Education Research II. In these classes, students will first complete a review of the literature in a particular area within special education. They will then design and conduct an action research project.