Special Education, MS
The Department of Education is committed to preparing informed, inquiring, and skilled professionals who, as scholars and decision-makers, are ready to take their place as leaders improving the educational community.
Students can enter the Special Education program in a course of study leading to K - 12 certification.
Program Specific Admission Requirements
A minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.00 is expected for admittance to graduate study. An applicant whose undergraduate GPA falls below the level of 3.00 must submit other evidence of his/her ability to successfully complete a graduate program, such as grades in other post-baccalaureate courses/programs, scores from examinations (e.g. Graduate Record Examination), or a record of successful completion of progressively higher work responsibilities.
For general application requirements, please click here.
Courses
The Special Education program offers courses and field work for students seeking an initial Pennsylvania Instructional I certificate in Special Education, PK-12. The program consists of 36 credit hours of coursework including 12 weeks of student teaching. All students who are pursuing a Master’s degree must complete the research and foundation course requirements and pass a capstone experience (comprehensive examination) prior to program completion. Students must take the requisite certification test(s), which are mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, in addition to the curricular requirements.
For additional information on the curriculum, visit the Loading... Catalog.
Mission Statement of the Department of Education
The mission of the Department of Education at The University of Scranton is to prepare professional educators for service in the public schools. Attention to the scholarship of each candidate in both the content knowledge to be taught and in the professional education knowledge base is augmented by attention to decision-making in both the personal and professional areas. The belief that educators are both scholars and decision-makers pervades the program in its design and requirements, and in its assessment of degree and non-degree students.
Beyond the Classroom
Assistantships
Graduate Assistants, who assist faculty in the delivery of course content, receive a stipend as well as tuition scholarships.
Capstone Experience
The comprehensive examination is the capstone experience for students near the end of the program of study.
Hands-On Teaching Experiences
Students participate in classic student-teaching positions, observe in classrooms, assist in after school programs and much more!
Fall 2017 Schools: Forest City Regional Elementary School, Isaac Tripp Elementary School, John Adams Elementary School, Neil Armstrong School, Mayfield Elementary School, Moscow Elementary Center, North Pocono Intermediate School, Stourbridge Elementary School, Valley View Elementary Center, Valley View Intermediate School, William Prescott School
Graduate Education at Scranton
With over 30 programs The University of Scranton can help you to achieve your goals, personally and professionally. Find out what our students have to say about graduate education at Scranton.
Program Elements
Certification
Prepares teacher candidates to take the edTPA assessment, a new certification requirement accepted in many states
Filling a Growing Need
Newly revised to meet the latest state standards with an emphasis on responsible inclusion
The University of Scranton's education programs are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Program completers who fulfilled all program requirements and received a passing score on certification examinations are eligible for certification in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Combined/Accelerated Degree Option
A student enrolled in any of the Education Department’s undergraduate programs may apply for admission to an accelerated graduate program leading to a second instructional certification during their sophomore year. The application deadline to the program is March 1st. Later applications may be accepted as program capacity allows. Full admission to the graduate program requires an earned Bachelors of Science in education and submission of application for initial teacher certification to PDE. For additional information, please visit the Graduate Course catalog.
Meet the Program Director
Maria Oreshkina, Ph.D.
Chair, Director of Graduate Programs Associate Professor
M.S., Moscow Pedagogical State University Ph.D., Moscow Pedagogical State University Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Knoxville
(570) 941-6244maria.oreshkina@scranton.edu
