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The Master of Arts in Special Education
The Master of Arts in Special Education is designed to enhance the teaching skills necessary to provide quality education for all students in today's classrooms. Theory and skills will be presented to help teachers address the educational needs of children and youth who have a variety of mental and/or physical disabilities. The curriculum meets the standards for special education dictated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for certification. Program content and pedagogy is intended to provide comprehensive training for teachers of exceptional children. Upon completion of the master's program, teachers will be able to serve as master teachers and will be prepared to serve as curriculum specialists and in-service professionals.
The Inclusion Institute
The Inclusion Institute is a non-credit professional development activity designed to provide in-service teachers with skills to work effectively with special needs students. As a result of these acquired skills, the teacher will develop a more positive attitude towards inclusion. In the training sessions, educational philosophies and instructional strategies which will assist in the successful practice of inclusion of special needs students into regular classroom will be presented. The specific characteristics of various disability categories will be addressed including: gifted and talented, behaviorally disordered, attention deficit disordered, learning disabled, educable mentally retarded, physically handicapped, hearing impaired, and visually impaired. Information on current legislation, inclusion strategies, current issues, and research in the field will be provided. Sessions will include practical, hands-on instructional strategies for successfully including special needs students in general classroom activities.
Inclusion Certificate
Today's classrooms are populated with students with a variety of learning styles, gifts/disabilities and socio-cultural backgrounds. Teachers and administrators need new information and strategies to keep pace with the changing population of students and the inclusionary environment. Seton Hill College has designed a sequence of graduate study to assist teachers and administrators in the task of educating these students. This certificate program is designed for professionals committed to educational practice which addresses the needs of all students in the classroom. The course sequence allows for presentation of special education theory, legal issues related to inclusion, attitude and advocacy necessary for success in inclusion, issues of diversity and pedagogical strategies for inclusionary practice.
Assessment Criteria
The education faculty will assess a candidate's appropriateness for the programs according to the following criteria:
Option II Applicants must complete courses in: American History; Structure of the Number System; Physical Education Activities for the handicapped and nonhandicapped; 3 credits in art or music; and submit a copy of Teaching Certificate if applicable.
Option I Applicants must submit a copy of their Special Education Teaching Certificate.
Option II
Applicants must submit a copy of their Elementary Education Teaching Certificate.
Option III
Students may be admitted provisionally without having completed all prerequisite course work; however, all prerequisite courses must be completed within the first year of graduate study. Prerequisite courses are offered at Seton Hill.
Application
Admission is open for Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. Although Seton Hill operates on a rolling admission, students are encouraged to complete application as early as possible. The Application for Admission, along with all required materials, must be completed and sent to the Office of Graduate and Adult Studies. Application materials include: completed application form, $30.00 application fee, official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work, three letters of recommendation, and a copy of appropriate teaching certificate(s).
Admissions Decision
Applications will be reviewed by the education faculty. Applicants can request an interview with a faculty member. Every attempt will be made to notify applicants of admissions decisions within two weeks of the application submission.
Financial Aid
Financial aid opportunities include scholarships, loans and work study employment. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at 412-838-4293 for additional information.