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2014-2015 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Master of Education in Special Education: Learning Disabilities Emphasis

For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Education section of this catalog.

Mission - Teaching, leading, and learning in a democratic society.

Philosophy - Believing that schools function as social and political entities as well as for the growth of individuals, the College of Education prepares teachers and leaders a) to enhance the academic and personal potential of their students, and b) to evaluate the social and ethical implications of educational policies and practices.

Values - The College of Education values expertise to guide our practice, equity to guide our interactions, liberal education to guide our perspectives, and social responsibility to guide our commitment to democratic education. We value these ideals in our preparation of candidates, our development of faculty, and our relationships with the larger community we serve.

Accreditation
Nationally Recognized by Specialty Program Association: Council for Exceptional Children
Michigan Department of Education Approval

Admission Requirements, Retention, and Termination Standards
Students who are degree seeking and are working for special education endorsement are required to take additional courses beyond the normal requirements for the master's degree. Students who want to enroll in a master's degree program and are not seeking special education endorsement should select a master's degree emphasis program and consult with a special education graduate advisor to develop a program consisting of foundations and emphasis coursework, including research applications.

Minimum Number of Hours in Program
The M.Ed. degree requires a minimum of 33 semester hours.

Program Location
DeVos Center, Pew Campus downtown Grand Rapids, MI

Website: www.gvsu.edu/grad/specialed

Requirements for M.Ed. in Learning Disabilities:

Candidates for the M.Ed. degree must complete the following courses:

Research Foundations Coursework (Take early):

Social Foundations Coursework (Take Early in Program) (Take one):

Special Education Coursework - Required for LD candidates who DO NOT hold a special education endorsement (Take first):

Elective Coursework - Required for LD candidates who DO hold a special education endorsement (Take anytime. Advisor approval required):

  • Elective Credits: 3

Learning Disabilities Coursework:

Take anytime:

Capstone Coursework (Application Required) (Take one):

Requirement for Learning Disabilities K-12 Endorsement (single endorsement):

Candidates for this program must possess a valid Michigan teaching certificate. Candidates adding a new endorsement must pass the Michigan Subject Area Test and maintain a 3.0 G.P.A. Completion of both EDS 636 and 638 satisfy the state reading requirement PA 118.

Special Education coursework - Required for LD candidates who DO NOT hold a special education endorsement (Take EDS 652 first, and EDS 609 anytime):

Pre-teaching Coursework - Required for LD candidates who DO NOT hold a special education endorsement. (Application required):

Elective Coursework - Required for LD candidates who DO hold a special education endorsement (Advisor approval required. Take anytime.)

  • Elective Credits: 3

Learning Disabilities Coursework - Required for ALL LD candidates:

Take anytime:

Practicum Coursework - Required for ALL LD candidates (Application Required) (Take last):

  • EDS 685C - Practicum/Graduate Fields Experience Credits: 6

If you are in need of assistance please submit any questions or comments.