Overview
Program Description
The Master of Arts in Special Education is designed to provide students with the ability to understand and embrace diversity, the ability to meet the needs of exceptional learners and the ability to guide individuals to maximize their educational potential. They will be able to lead others toward change in creating a learning environment in which all individuals are allowed and encouraged to maximize their potential. This degree reflects upon the commitment of Centenary University to produce “broadly educated” graduates who are committed to personal values, to their communities, and to their profession and its standards of excellence.
36 credits are required for students who enter the program with Teacher of Students with Disabilities certification (Masters degree only)
36 credits are required for students working toward a Masters degree with Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant certification
39 credits are required for students working toward a Masters degree with Teacher of Students with Disabilities certification
42 credits are required for students working toward a Masters degree with Teacher of Students with Disabilities certification and Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant certification
Program Goals
- Provide current and relevant preparation in the midst of major changes in the field of special education
- Prepare students so that they will act as role models/change agents in the field
- Prepare students who can accommodate diversity
- Offer a broad-based program of study that will allow graduates to understand the needs of diverse learners from multiple perspectives
Program Requirements
- Graduate students must achieve a grade of “B” or higher in each course and must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to receive a degree. Any graduate student who receives more than one grade of “C” (to include C+, C, or C-) will be dismissed from the program. A graduate student who has received a grade of “C” must repeat the course. No grades of “D” will be given (anything lower than a C- is an F). A grade of “F” will result in dismissal from the program. Note: If a student repeats a course in which a grade of “C” has been received, both the original grade and the repeated grade will count in the GPA. The original grade of “C” will be used to determine eligibility to stay in or to be removed from the program.
- All courses are designed as graduate level courses to meet the Council for Exceptional Children standards and New Jersey State Code. To that end, the requirements remain consistent. Please be aware that summer courses are shorter in duration but still must meet the same requirements as courses offered during the semester.
Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA 3.0
- Teaching Certification - Please send a copy of your standard certificate or your Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing with your application. (If you do not have a teaching certification please contact the Transfer Admissions Office regarding the Post Baccalaureate teaching certification program).
- Personal statement
- No GRE/GMAT required.
Curriculum Requirements
Courses specifically for students who enter the program with Special Education Certification (36 Credits)
Required courses
| GED-602 | Ethical Issues | 3 |
| GED-607 | Assessment for Instruction in Special Education | 3 |
| GED-615 | Collaborative Practices | 3 |
| GED-620 | Inclusive Practices | 3 |
| GED-652 | Current Issues in Special Education | 3 |
| GED-656 | Communication & Literacy in Special Education | 3 |
| GED-658 | Social Issues for Children With Special Needs | 3 |
| GED-659 | Children At Crossroads: Life Issues That Affect Young Lives | 3 |
| GED-697 | Educational Research | 3 |
| GED-699 | Special Topics in Special Education | 3 |
| GED-699 | Special Topics in Special Education | 3 |
Capstone Course
| GED-618 | Seminar in Research & Application in Special Education | 3 |
GED-618: It is strongly recommended that students who are working full-time do not take another course while they are taking GED-618 Seminar in Research and Application in Special Education. If due to extenuating circumstances a student feels it is necessary to take GED-618 and another course in the same semester, she/her must obtain a signed waiver from the Graduate Director for Special Education.
MA requirements for MA and LDTC certification
Requirements List
| GED-601 | Learning Theories on the Nature & Needs of Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| GED-605 | Characteristics of Diverse Learners | 3 |
| GED-606 | Approaches to Instruction in Special Education | 3 |
| GED-607 | Assessment for Instruction in Special Education | 3 |
| GED-615 | Collaborative Practices | 3 |
| GED-690 | Physiological Basis of Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| GED-691 | Diagnosis of Learning Disabities | 3 |
| GED-692 | Correction of Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| GED-693 | Seminar Clinical Applications to Learning Disabilities | 3 |
MA requirements
| GED-699 | Special Topics in Special Education | 3 |
| GED-697 | Educational Research | 3 |
| GED-618 | Seminar in Research & Application in Special Education | 3 |
M.A. Courses for students who enter the program without Special Education Certification (39 Credits)
TOSD Certification Courses:
| GED-601 | Learning Theories on the Nature & Needs of Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| GED-604 | Behavior Management | 3 |
| GED-605 | Characteristics of Diverse Learners | 3 |
| GED-606 | Approaches to Instruction in Special Education | 3 |
| GED-607 | Assessment for Instruction in Special Education | 3 |
| GED-608 | Family, Society & Children With Special Needs | 3 |
| GED-620 | Inclusive Practices | 3 |
Master in Special Education Courses:
| GED-615 | Collaborative Practices | 3 |
| GED-658 | Social Issues for Children With Special Needs | 3 |
| GED-659 | Children At Crossroads: Life Issues That Affect Young Lives | 3 |
| GED-697 | Educational Research | 3 |
| GED-699 | Special Topics in Special Education | 3 |
Capstone Course
| GED-618 | Seminar in Research & Application in Special Education | 3 |
GED-618: It is strongly recommended that students who are working full-time do not take another course while they are taking GED-618 Seminar in Research and Application in Special Education. If due to extenuating circumstances a student feels it is necessary to take GED-618 and another course in the same semester, she/her must obtain a signed waiver from the Graduate Director for Special Education.
M.A. Courses for students seeking both TOSD and LDTC certifications-(42 credits)
TOSD Certification Courses
| GED-601 | Learning Theories on the Nature & Needs of Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| GED-604 | Behavior Management | 3 |
| GED-605 | Characteristics of Diverse Learners | 3 |
| GED-606 | Approaches to Instruction in Special Education | 3 |
| GED-607 | Assessment for Instruction in Special Education | 3 |
| GED-608 | Family, Society & Children With Special Needs | 3 |
| GED-620 | Inclusive Practices | 3 |
LDTC Certification Courses
| GED-615 | Collaborative Practices | 3 |
| GED-690 | Physiological Basis of Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| GED-691 | Diagnosis of Learning Disabities | 3 |
| GED-692 | Correction of Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| GED-693 | Seminar Clinical Applications to Learning Disabilities | 3 |
Capstone
| GED-697 | Educational Research | 3 |
| GED-618 | Seminar in Research & Application in Special Education | 3 |
GED-618: It is strongly recommended that students who are working full-time do not take another course while they are taking GED-618 Seminar in Research and Application in Special Education. If due to extenuating circumstances a student feels it is necessary to take GED-618 and another course in the same semester, she/her must obtain a signed waiver from the Graduate Director for Special Education.