Master of Education in Special Education

There are five M.Ed. Programs in Special Education : Special Education Certification, Early Childhood, Exceptional Learning Needs, Severe/Profound Disabilities, and Urban Multicultural Special Education. The Special Education Certification Program results in licensure as a special education teacher of students with mild to moderate disabilities at either the elementary through middle level or the middle level through secondary level. The Early Childhood Program prepares special education teachers for children with disabilities from birth through kindergarten and their families. The Exceptional Learning Needs Program provides advanced study for special educators with specialization in one of four strands: special education administration, urban multicultural curriculum and instruction, secondary special education or specialized study in an area of professional interest (i.e. behavioral support). The Severe/Profound Disabilities Program provides preparation and special education licensure for teachers of students with severe disabilities. The Urban Multicultural Special Education Program provides advanced preparation for special educators who teach English language learners with disabilities.

Admission Requirements

Admission to FSEHD Masters level programs is determined by the quality of the total application. Applicants must submit the following to the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs as a measure of their potential for success in graduate level studies.

1. Application and $50.00 nonrefundable fee.
2. One copy of all official transcripts of each undergraduate and graduate record.
3. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of B (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) in all undergraduate course work. Applicants with undergraduate GPAs less than 3.00 may be admitted to degree candidacy upon submission of other evidence of academic potential.
4. Teaching certificate (for all school related programs except school psychology).
5. Official standardized test scores (Graduate Record Examination or the Miller Analogies Test).
6. Three candidate reference forms WITH 3 accompanying letters of recommendation.
7. Professional goals essay - application essay describing candidate’s commitment to special education, cultural awareness, collaboration, and lifelong learning.
8. Performance-based evaluation.
9. Completion of SPED 300: Introduction to the Characteristics and Education of Children and Youth with Disabilities or its equivalent as determined by an advisor.
10. M.Ed. in Special Education with Concentration in Severe/Profound Disabilities requires course work in elementary education teaching methodology in reading, language arts, and mathematics.
11. M.Ed. Early Childhood Birth to Kindergarten requires eligibility for RI certification in early childhood education.
12. M.Ed. Special Education Certification requires RI certification in elementary or secondary education or concurrent enrollment.
13. M.Ed. Exceptional Learning Needs (strands: secondary, administration, specialized study in special education, urban multicultural curriculum and instruction, or urban multicultural special education) requires RI certification in special education.
14. Please note: for candidates seeking ESL endorsement in Rhode Island to teach in K-12 settings, completion of college-level study of a second language is required before the time of certification. Courses may include elementary and intermediate grammar and conversation, and culture and civilization.
15. An interview.