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Graduate Programs of Study
Special Education: Dual Certification in Special Education and Elementary Education, M.A. or M.Ed.
Program Description
This interdisciplinary graduate level program is offered through the Language Literacy and Specialized Instruction Program (LLSI) and leads to a Masters degree. The program combines coursework and clinical experience in special education and elementary education and leads to certification in both areas.
The program is designed for students who have baccalaureate degrees but who do not yet have a teaching certificate.
Federal Loan Forgiveness Program (up to $17,500 for special education teachers)
The program emphasizes issues related to teaching students with and without disabilities in urban environments; the various models and options available for providing special education services in urban environments; the criteria used by school districts to place students into special education categories; the strengths and weaknesses of these criteria; and the strengths and weaknesses of strategies designed to respond to the needs of students with and without disabilities in urban schools.
Currently, there is only one sequence of study for students enrolled in this program. This sequence is outlined in the section entitled Timeline for Program Completion. All students are required to complete courses in the sequence listed and all students will be part of a cohort of students who are completing the same courses in the same sequence. Please note: Beginning in 2008, the program begins the second summer session (July 21, 2008)
Graduates of the program are qualified to receive certification in both special education (Type 10, Learning and Behavior Specialist I) and elementary education (Type 03). Students interested in the Master of Education (M.Ed.) option complete the coursework, clinical observation experiences and the student teaching requirements. Students interested in pursuing the Master of Arts (M.A.) option complete all of the same requirements but these students must also register for an additional course (LLSI 549) and they must complete a Master's thesis.
Graduates of the program have a number of teaching options including but not limited to: a) general education teachers working at the elementary level; b) special education teachers working in general education classrooms; c) special education teachers working in resource or self-contained settings within schools; and e) general or special education teachers working in alternative schools or residential settings.
This blended approach to teacher education is designed to provide graduate students with a deep understanding of both areas so that they will be prepared to develop approaches to education that promote positive development among children and youth as well positive transformations in schools and society.
The School of Education's teacher preparation programs are designed to prepare highly qualified educators. Just as a physician progresses through stages of medical school (medical student, intern, resident), so also students earning their first teaching certificate(s) must progress through stages of teacher preparation. If the initial application is approved, students are admitted to DePaul's School of Education as Teacher Candidates. After 8-12 hours of coursework, students must petition to become an Advanced Teacher Candidate, at which time the School of Education reviews the student's file to determine if he or she has met the criteria for continuing in the program. The criteria for Advanced Standing include passing the Illinois Test of Basic Skills. The next step in the program takes places just prior to becoming a student teacher. This step involves another review of the student's file to determine if he or she meets additional criteria to continue in the program. The criteria for admission to Student Teaching include passing the Illinois Subject Matter Tests in Elementary Education and Special Education.
Admission Requirements
- A completed School of Education Graduate Application
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- One official transcript from each college or university attended
- A previous grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
- Two letters of reference, one of which must be from persons familiar with your academic work.
- A personal statement indicating reasons for wanting to enter the program and future goals
- Interview, if requested by program faculty
- Writing sample (e.g., a term paper, seminar paper, or senior thesis or portion thereof)
Learn About
For More Information
Please direct questions to edgradadmissions@depaul.edu
or call (773) 325-4405.
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