Master of Education in Exceptional Student Education - Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)

Education

Graduate Admission Standards for M.Ed. Program

Students are required to meet the following prerequisites for admission to the program:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
2. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
3. Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts of all academic course work attempted
4. Current resume
5. Statement of Professional Goals (a writing sample demonstrating the capacity to perform at the graduate level).
6. Two recent letters of recommendation; these can be from professional or academic sources but must be interactions that occurred with the last six months.
7. Official appropriate entrance examination score report (GRE, or General Knowledge Test).

M.Ed. Degree Completion Requirements

1. Complete the degree in a maximum of four calendar years from the date on a student’s initial registration or may be held to any new degree requirements.
2. Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA and achieve a B (3.0) grade or higher in each course.
3. Complete a minimum of 36 credits.
4. All students in the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership K-12 and Exceptional Student Education degree program must pass all relevant certification examinations.

I. Master of Education in Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
This program consists of completing several courses in ESE which will provide you with the skills needed to work with a diverse group of children with disabilities in a K-12 setting. Specifically, an ESE classroom includes students who may have emotional, mental or learning disabilities. The courses focus primarily on theory, knowledge, and clinical experiences in the field, as well as practical application of that theory and knowledge. The intent is to produce graduates who, as teachers, are able to address the needs of this increasingly diverse student population and can provide leadership for innovative programs to coordinate professional activities to better serve these students.

Program Options
The Ross College of Education offers a Master of Education program in ESE with three different tracks. Please read over all the tracks and choose the one that meets your needs.

1. Track one is for individuals new to education and affords the opportunity to gain initial ESE teaching certification. This is a state-approved program called Master of Education in Exceptional Student Education with ESOL Endorsement. This Master of Education degree program requires 36 credit hours in ESE core coursework, 15 credit hours in ESOL coursework and 12 credit hours in state certification coursework for a total of 63 credit hours. Students are also required to earn a passing score on the General Knowledge Test (state teacher exam), the ESE subject area exam and the Professional Education teacher exam. This track affords graduates the opportunity to gain certification from the State Department of Education, which means that the graduate should be eligible for certification without taking any additional course work.
2. Track two is for people who want a master’s degree in ESE but seek certification on a course by course basis through alternative certification. This is the shortest track with only the ESE course work required for a total of 36 credit hours. This track allows students to receive a Master of Education degree with state approval on a course by course basis. It does not include course work leading to an ESOL endorsement, or state certification course work in how to teach reading, math or language arts. If a student chooses to take this track, he/she may be required to take additional course work/inservice credit by the district and/or state to obtain full teacher certification. This track is for individuals who wish to obtain certification through alternative certification. Students may complete their student teaching requirement in their own classroom. Students are also required to earn a passing score on the ESE subject area exam.
   

The State of Florida may require additional courses in the field for certification, prior to issuing the five-year certificate. Program requirements may change in order to comply with any changes made by the State of Florida Department of Education. Grandfather provisions do not apply when such program changes are made.

Note: Credits and degrees earned from colleges within the State of Florida that are licensed by the State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities do not automatically qualify an individual for a Florida Teaching Certificate or to participate in professional examinations in Florida. The established procedure requires the Florida Department of Education to review and recognize the credentials of the individual and the accreditation of the college granting the degrees prior to approving teacher certification and for the appropriate state professional board under the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation to make similar evaluations prior to scheduling examinations.

Any student interested in obtaining a Florida Teaching Certificate should contact the Office of Teacher Certification, Department of Education, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Any student interested in practicing a regulated profession in Florida should contact the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, 2009 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32301.