Special Education program Graduate Students

Master's in Special Education (M.Ed., M.S.)

There's a high demand for certified special educators and for special education supervisors nationally, across many settings to include, public schools, intermediate units, private schools, state centers, and hospitals.

Degrees & Offerings
  • Certificate
  • M.Ed.
  • M.Ed. + Certificate
  • M.S.
Location
  • Bloomsburg
  • Online
Department
College
Program Contact
Graduate Program Coordinator of Exceptionality Programs
Illustration of Mountain

Program Details

MEd Special Education student standing at a whiteboard
  • Program Options: We offer the following Special Education Programs at the graduate level: M.S. Special Education, M.Ed. Special Education: PK-12: Advanced Certification, M.Ed. Special Education: PK-12 Initial Certification, M.Ed. Special Education: PK-12 Intern Certification, Special Education Supervisory Certification, Special Education: Accelerated Certification.
  • Accelerated Pathway – The accelerated certification path is designed for professionals working under special education emergency certification and is embedded within the M.Ed. Special Education PK-12 program. This path streamlines the certification component to approximately 18 months, 36 credits. To learn more, please contact Program Coordinator Dr. Robin Drogan.
  • Accreditation – CAEP Accredited.
  • Flexible Start Dates – Applications are accepted for the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters.
  • Program Format – Available in part-time and full-time formats.

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Courses and Curriculum

  • M.Ed. Special Education – Initial Certification: Leads to the initial Certification in Special Education. Also available as certification only.
    >> Coursework: Includes 10 courses and student teaching
    >> Who Should Apply: Welcomes students with any undergraduate degree
    >> Program Delivery: Hybrid course delivery
  • M.Ed. in Special Education – Advanced Certification: Leads to advanced certification in Special Education. 
    >> Coursework: Includes 10 courses and field-based capstone (typically in the field where you teach)
    >> Who Should Apply: For students who have an existing teaching certification in another area
    >> Program Delivery: Hybrid course delivery
  • M.Ed. in Special Education: - Intern Certification: For students that can take the special education certification exam at the beginning of the sequence.
    >> Coursework: Includes 6 courses and 2 semester internship?
    >> Who Should Apply: For students with certification in teaching and/or any undergraduate degree
    >> Program Delivery: Hybrid course delivery
  • M.Ed. in Special Education: Traditional Certification for Professionals working under an Emergency Permit in Special Education
    >> Coursework: Includes 10 courses and student teaching
    >> Who Should Apply: Welcomes students with any undergraduate degree
    >> Program Delivery: Hybrid course delivery
  • M.S. in Special Education: Traditional Certification for Professionals working under an Emergency Permit in Special Education
    >> Coursework: Includes 10 courses including a graduate practicum
    >> Who Should Apply: Welcomes students with a bachelor’s degree in special education
    >> Program Delivery: Hybrid course delivery

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

General admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies and the Special Education Program:

  • A one‐page letter of intent stating professional background, experience, and rationale for wanting to be admitted to the department.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • A resume.
  • An interview with the chair or graduate coordinator.
  • A copy of a valid PA teaching certificate, if applicable.
  • An official transcript(s).
  • An undergraduate cumulative QPA of 3.0. If average is below a 3.0, the student may be admitted as provisional with a lower GPA on a case-by-case basis.
  • In consultation with the graduate advisor, students must obtain and submit the appropriate documentation and clearances for the upcoming semester, as appropriate for field-based embedded coursework and capstone experiences.

Maintenance of a QPA of 3.0 as required for retention in the program. A maximum of two Cs is permissible. A "C minus" is not acceptable. If a C is earned in a practicum course, it must be repeated with a grade of a B or better within a time frame determined by the area of concentration.

  • Maintenance and documentation of Act 34 (Criminal Record), Act 114 (Federal Criminal History), and Act 151 (Child Abuse) clearances.
  • Maintenance and documentation of professional liability insurance and TB screening/
  • Demonstration of satisfactory performance as outlined in the program of study and consistent with the Professional Competencies listed in PDE 354.33 and PDE Specific Program Guidelines.
  • Continuation of field and clinical experiences as outlined in the curriculum and/or program of study including hours completed in diverse settings and with diverse populations.

For detailed description and additional requirements, see applicable Program of Study Packet (Initial or Advanced Programs) and/or Policy 3810 for the Initial Certification Program or the College of Education Policy 3.1 for all Advanced Programs (with or without certification).

All graduate students must have documentation of current clearances, professional liability insurance, and TB screening on file in the Department of Exceptionality Programs prior to enrolling in any education course that requires a field experience.

  • A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.
  • Completion of all other requirements as identified in Policy 3810 and College of Education Policy 3.1 and the Initial Teacher Certification Graduate Program and the Advanced Teacher Certification Graduate Program Packets.

The following Exit criteria apply to students enrolled in the Initial Teacher Certification Graduate Program:

Demonstration of competency in Student Teaching as described by PDE 354 Standards and supported by:

  • Written evaluations by cooperating teachers.
  • Written evaluations by university supervisors.
  • Grades of "C" or better (C minus does not meet this criterion).

In order to receive Pennsylvania Department of Education Instructional Level I certification*, candidates must successfully complete the following Pennsylvania Educators Certification Tests (PECT):

  • Special Education PK-8 (Modules 1 & 2)
  • Grades PK-4: Core and Professional Knowledge (Modules 1, 2 & 3)

If you plan on teaching in a state other than Pennsylvania, make sure you are aware of the state's certification test requirements. It's suggested you complete certification in Pennsylvania first. Reciprocal agreements exist with many other states. If you do not have the initial certificate there exists no agreement.

Advanced Certification Graduate Program: If you are currently certified in education, your culminating course will be the practicum. Depending on which advanced certification* you are seeking, you will only need to take the PECT Special Education PK-8 (Modules 1 & 2) or the PECT Special Education 7-12 (Modules 1 & 2).

*Achieving the Master of Education is separate from teacher certification.

  • Q: When can I start?
    A: Applications are accepted for the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters.
  • Q: Do I need to take the GRE in order to apply?
    A: No - the GRE is not required for admission.
  • Q: Is there a GPA requirement for admission?
    A: Yes - typically a 3.0 GPA is required for admission. However, if you have below a 3.0 GPA, please make contact with Dr. Robin Drogan, Program Coordinator.
  • Q: If I'm using my employer's tuition reimbursement program, can my tuition bills be deferred until after the semester?
    A: Yes. Completion of the Application for Deferment will enable you to defer 75% of your tuition and fee charges (after paying 25% down) until 45 days after the conclusion of the semester. During this time, you should be able to secure reimbursement from your employer. The remaining payment will be drawn from your account automatically through the payment plan 45 days after the end of the semester, unless paid prior to that date. More information available here under the 'Tuition Statements, Charges, and Payments' section. If you have any questions, you can contact the Student Billing Office at 570-389-4013 or studentbilling@commonwealthu.edu.

ONWARD AND UPWARD

CAEP accreditation logo
Accreditation
CAEP accreditation ensures we prepare new teachers to know their subjects, their students, and have the clinical training that allows them to enter the classroom ready to teach effectively.
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Program Options
Including the M.S. Special Education, M.Ed. Special Education: PK-12: Advanced Cert., M.Ed. Special Education: PK-12 Initial Cert., M.Ed. Special Education: PK-12 Intern Cert., Special Education Supervisory Cert., Special Education: Accelerated Cert.

Careers

There remains a growing demand for special education teachers, particularly in rural and inner-city school districts. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the overall demand will continue to be driven by increasing enrollment and a continued need for special education services.

Potential Job Opportunities

  • Special Education Teacher
  • Resource Teacher/Caseload Manager
  • Behavior Specialist/Interventionist
  • Early Intervention Specialist
  • Educational Consultant

Continue to Explore

M.Ed. Special Education student portrait

The variety of classes allowed me to expand upon the knowledge that I needed for my current position and allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and learn about the different aspects of Special Education that I was not as familiar with. The program allowed me to complete the certification process quickly so that I was able to obtain a full-time teaching position this school year.

Melissa Pike
M.Ed. Special Education
MEd Special Education student portrait

Being able to learn different Laws and the history behind them when it comes to Special Education, and learn the tools to further impact students' lives in real time, has been the most impactful and rewarding experience for me.

Sylvona Downs
M.Ed. Special Education
MEd Special Education student portrait
M.Ed. Special Education student portrait
teacher laughing with students in the background on computers

McDowell Institute

The McDowell Institute is dedicated to supporting the facilitation of social, emotional, and behavioral wellness of children, youth, and young adults across school and community settings. This mission is accomplished through training, technical assistance, and information dissemination.

Carver Hall

Commonwealth U Awarded Grant to Accelerate Special Ed Teacher Certification

The Commonwealth University special education program was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to accelerate programming for PK-12 Special Education Teacher Certification. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania was one of 15 universities awarded a portion of the $1.5 million grant.

Program Faculty

drogan

Robin Drogan

  • Graduate Program Coordinator of Exceptionality Programs
  • Bloomsburg
260x300-Brooke-Lylo

Brooke Lylo

  • Associate Professor of Special Education
  • Bloomsburg

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