Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Exceptional Student EducationMaster of Education

The M.Ed. in Exceptional Student Education program provides students with the skills needed to work with diverse learners, especially those with disabilities in a K -12 setting. The courses focus on providing high leverage, evidence based practices, pedagogical content theory, knowledge and clinical experiences in the field as well as practical application. The intent is to produce graduates who, as professionals, are able to address the needs of the increasingly diverse student population in our schools today, and who can display effective teacher leadership skills that create innovative programs to better serve students with disabilities. The program is certified by Florida Department of Education.

Students will have the option of enrolling in the program as an asynchronous (independent and fully online) or synchronous (face-to-face all times are EDT.)

Graduate admission standards for M.Ed. program in ESE

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

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts of all academic coursework attempted.
• Current résumé.
• Statement of professional goals and a writing sample demonstrating the capacity to perform at the graduate level.
• Two recent letters of recommendation; these can be from professional or academic sources but must be interactions that occurred within the last six months.
• For international students who have not graduated from an accredited undergraduate institution in the United States, a satisfactory TOEFL score (550 paper-based, 213 computer-based or 80 internet-based) along with an International Transcript Evaluation and a course equivalency report must be provided. International applicants must provide official TOEFL/IELTS/-PTE Academic scores if English is not the applicant’s first language. Applicants with a minimum TOEFL score of 71 (Internet-based), a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or a minimum duolingo score of 100, a minimum PTE Academic score of 50or a minimum Versant score of 60 will be considered. Consideration may be given to students who fall slightly below Lynn University’s TOEFL/IELTS/PTE Academic English requirement. These cases will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Office of Admission.

M.Ed. in ESE degree completion requirements

• Complete the degree in a maximum of four calendar years from the date on a student’s initial registration or be held to any new degree requirements.
• Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA and achieve a B- grade or higher in each course.
• Complete GSR 501, Graduate Orientation Seminar (one credit).
• Complete a minimum of 40 credits. For students choosing the ESE 580/540 combination, the minimum will be 40 credits.
• Pass FTCE Exceptional Student Education (ESE) K-12 certification subject area examination.

The goals of the program are to provide a curriculum that:

• Introduces students to a body of diverse theory regarding exceptional student education.
• Focuses on the interpretation of laws and rules that govern public educational institutions.
• Enhances the development of effective skills in written and oral communication, informational literacy, research-based intervention strategies and the use of technology.
• Emphasizes the critical examination and evaluation of ethical issues and implications in today’s educational establishment as they relate to students and adults with disabilities.
• Implement evidence based practices with students who learn differently.
• Develop knowledge of positive behavioral support and the process.
• Practice Multi-Sensory approaches to reading intervention and curriculum based measures.
• Gain knowledge of the transition process.
• Have cross-cultural competence in collaboration, assessment, behavioral supports and instruction

Expected outcomes

Upon completion of the ESE master’s degree program, students will be able to:

• Display knowledge of curriculum and instructional theories, concepts and best practices and apply them to K-12 exceptional student education settings.
• Interpret academic and behavioral data to then write data based plans for students who learn differently and who may be English Language Learners (ELLs).
• Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal relationship skills.
• Compare and contrast the strategies used to plan, develop, implement and evaluate instructional programs for children with disabilities and ELLs with disabilities..
• Use abilities to assist the educational community (paraprofessionals, support staff etc...) in supporting students with disabilities in inclusive settings.
• Write effective lesson plans using the universal design for learning framework.
• Understand, analyze, and interpret the federal, state constitutional, statutory and regulatory provisions governing special education.
• Develop knowledge of policies and procedures for the appropriate use of technology in the field.
• Effectively implement high leverage and evidence based practices to assist students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.
• Exhibit cross-cultural competence across settings and instructional practices.
• Implement multi-sensory approaches to reading.
• Interpret academic and behavioral data to then write data based plans for students who learn differently.
• Submit a portfolio to Canvas to RCOE. RCOE Staff will review candidate’s documentation to determine status for FLDOE approval to the
  education program

The Exceptional Student Education Program in the Donald E. and Helen L. Ross College of Education is a 40-credit hour program leading to the Master of Education degree in Exceptional Student Education and eligibility for Florida Teacher Certification in grades (K-12) with an endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorder, reading, and (ESOL) English Speakers of Other Languages and a general knowledge exam waiver.