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2025-2026 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog [In Progress]

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Master of Education in Special Education - Cognitive Impairment Emphasis

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

Website: gvsu.edu/coe/grad

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 and Community Innovation 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 and Community Innovation 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

The program is nationally recognized by the Specialty Program Association: Council for Exceptional Children, Michigan Department of Education approved.

Minimum Number of Hours in Program
All degree-seeking students are required to take a minimum of 33 credit hours, including foundations, emphasis courses, and Capstone.

Admission

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.

Program Location
Program is offered at DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus, located in downtown Grand Rapids, MI.

Requirements for M.Ed. in Special Education - Cognitive Impairment

Candidates for the M.Ed. degree must complete the following courses as outlined.

Social Foundations of Education (3 credits)

Choose one course from the following:

Research and Evaluation

Complete the following (3 credits):

Special Education

Requires six to nine credits. Candidates completing the CI emphasis as an additional endorsement, must choose two courses from EDS 610, , . Candidates completing their first special education endorsement must complete three of the following:

Choose two from EDS 610, , :

  • EDS 652 - Foundations of Special Education (3 credits) Required for CI candidates who DO NOT hold a special education endorsement. This course should be taken early in the program.
  • EDS 610 - Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (3 credits) Required for CI candidates who DO NOT hold a special education endorsement.
  • Required for CI candidates who DO NOT hold a special education endorsement.

Cognitive Impairment (15 credits)

Practicum Coursework

The following course (three or six credits) is required for all CI candidates:

Students must apply in advance for each practicum course. Advisor approval is required. Application deadlines (practicum): February 15 for spring/summer, May 15 for fall, September 15 for winter semester.

Capstone

Choose one of the following three- or six- credit options:

Students should meet with their advisor midway through their program to decide on a Capstone and discuss plans for completion. Subject to department approval, Capstone courses may be taken in variable amounts from one to three credits (EDS 693) or one to six credits (EDS 695) and require continuous enrollment each semester until completed. Advisor approval is required.

Application deadlines (thesis/project): February 15 for spring/summer, May 15 for fall, September 15 for winter semester.

Requirements for Cognitive Impairment K-12 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 GPA.

Special Education Courses

Requires six or nine credits. Candidates completing the CI emphasis as an additional endorsement must choose two courses from EDS 610, , .

Candidates completing their first endorsement must complete three of the following:

  • EDS 652 - Foundations of Special Education (3 credits) Required for CI candidates who DO NOT hold a special education endorsement. This course should be completed first.
  • EDS 610 - Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (3 credits) Required for CI candidates who DO NOT hold a special education endorsement.
  • Required for CI candidates who DO NOT hold a special education endorsement.

Preteaching

Requires three or six credits:

EDS 550 Required for CI candidates who DO NOT hold a special education endorsement (application required); Candidates with approved special education experiences may seek a waiver of the EDS 550 requirement.

Cognitive Impairment Coursework

The following courses (15 credits) are required for all CI candidates:

Practicum Coursework Requires three or six credits:

Students must apply in advance for each practicum course. Advisor approval is required. Application deadlines (practicum): February 15 for spring/summer, May 15 for fall, September 15 for winter semester.


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