This program is available to educators certified at the Master’s level and who seek to develop their skills as educational leaders in research, teaching, and service (Candidates in this program must hold AA certification). Candidates are exposed to a rigorous curriculum that addresses current issues and trends in the field of special education. The culminating hallmark of this program is a project or thesis that address a critical disability related subject. In accordance, candidates are required to exhibit stellar research and writing skills.
Department of Special Education Goals and Objectives
The mission of the Department of Special Education supports the broad mission of the University. The University’s mission involves utilization of its human, cultural and physical resources to enhance the surrounding metropolitan community and urban areas of the state of Mississippi, the nation and the world. The Department of Special Education (DSE) seeks to encourage and facilitate the efforts of candidates to acquire knowledge, skills, understandings, appreciations and attitudes necessary for effective interaction and instruction of individuals with disabilities. The instructional curriculum and learning experiences provide opportunities for candidates to develop competencies and attitudes that promote and actualize excellence in teaching and outcomes.
The objectives of the Department of Special Education are:
- To prepare personnel for staffing special education positions in schools and other related human resource agencies.
- To offer candidates a comprehensive curriculum that incorporates a variety of experiences including: campus-based experiences (i.e. microteaching clinics, case studies, computer- assisted instruction) as well as field-based experiences (i.e. internships and tutoring).
- To facilitate candidates’ professional development by broadening the knowledge base as set forth in the curriculum by attending conferences, workshops, seminars and participating in collaborative activities with other community agencies (e.g. public schools, human resource agencies, and so forth).
- To enhance candidates’ ability to work with culturally, linguistically, and exceptionally distinctive populations through selected research, teaching, and field-based experiences.
- To accommodate candidates from various ethnic backgrounds and exceptionalities through an open, multicultural approach to special education personnel preparation.
General Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
- A master’s degree from an accredited college or university
- An overall GPA of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale) on the master’s degree
- A completed Specialist program application
- Three letters of recommendation
- Acceptable evidence of the applicant’s writing ability as determined by a writing sample completed under the supervision of the screening committee
- A successful interview with the program screening committee
- A recommendation for admission by the screening committee
- A satisfactory GRE score
- Student must hold a valid teaching license
Degree Requirements
The Special Education Specialist Program is a 36 semester hour program which includes the development of a thesis or project. All candidates for this degree must have an AA certificate from an accredited institution of higher learning. Approval for a thesis or a project must be granted by a Department Thesis Advisor or a Project Advisor. The Specialist Program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). This degree program qualifies a graduate to receive Mississippi AAA Certification (Graduates are capable of leadership roles in school and non-school settings for exceptional learners K-12).
Program Curriculum
Course Descriptions
Special Education Faculty and Staff