Mar 18, 2024  
2018-2019 Graduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Master of Arts in Special Education with Elementary Certification - Physical & Other Health Impairment (SMPE-SEM-T)


The Special Education Department offers a Master of Arts Degree with Teacher Certification (SEM-T) that encompasses the range and depth required to accommodate contemporary programs and service delivery systems. The program is designed to allow maximum flexibility in meeting the needs of individual students while maintaining the basic academic integrity implicit in a graduate program. This SEM-T program has two components:

  1. An elementary education teaching certificate and a K-12 special education physical and other health impairment (POHI) endorsement
  2. Completion of the requirements for a graduate degree

Model

Eastern Michigan University’s advanced professional education programs develop leaders who demonstrate reflective thought and scholarship within the context of a culturally diverse society. In addition, the masters-level programs in the Department of Special Education produce professionals with the comprehensive knowledge, skills, and attitudes to deliver a continuum of habilitative/rehabilitative services to persons with special needs, and to their families, within a diverse society.

Program Admission


To be considered for admission applicants must:

  • Meet minimum Graduate School requirements
  • Achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.7 as an undergraduate (including “last-half GPA”) or 3.0 in graduate-level coursework (degree or non-degree) or receive acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
  • Submit a Personal Statement
  • Submit two references (name and contact information)

Department Information


Special Education, College of Education

David Winters, Ph.D. | Department Head | 128 Porter | 734.487.3300 | david.winters@emich.edu

Advisor Information


Graduate Coordinator

Derrick Fries, Ph.D. | 106 Porter | 734.487.2720 | dfries@emich.edu

Contact the Graduate Coordinator for information concerning admissions and programs of study

Faculty Advisor

Jacquelyn McGinnis, Ph.D. | 128 Porter | 734.487.2759 | jmcginnis@emich.edu

Program Information


Program Requirements

Graduate students seeking certification must:

  • Complete an appropriate program of study as planned with a graduate advisor for the Department of Special Education;
  • Meet all other requirements of the Graduate School.

Exit Requirements

Exit criteria involve achievement of the objectives for graduate study in special education listed previously, as demonstrated by:

  • Successful completion of all coursework in the program (minimum GPA of 3.0);
  • Successful completion of required practicum/internship;
  • Successful completion of independent study or thesis project.

Curricula

Students in the SEM-T program must complete the requirements for a Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate in elementary education as well as those for endorsement in special education. Students selecting Elementary Certification must complete the Liberal Arts requirements for Elementary Education. Also, candidates must pass the MTTC “Elementary Education” certification test, #103, as well as the MTTC test in their special education disability area of concentration.

A description of the initial endorsement sequence follows. Endorsement sequences for those already endorsed in one area of special education, but seeking additional endorsement(s), consist of different courses than listed here. Students should consult the appropriate graduate advisor.

An initial endorsement sequence generally consists of the following core special education classes, plus the specialty classes required by the specific program area. Students without teaching certificates are admitted to the professional preparation program at the time of admission to the graduate program in Special Education.

Courses in General Education

Undergraduate transcripts will be reviewed to determine completion of hours to be credited toward meeting a required 40 hours of general or liberal education. Additional coursework may be necessary to meet this 40-hour requirement.

Endorsement/Approval Sequence

Students must be free from any administrative or academic probation before an internship or practicum experience is approved. The endorsement sequence is independent of a degree program. Completion of the minimum degree requirements does not guarantee endorsement, and the completion of endorsement requirements do not result in the awarding of a degree. It is crucial for SEM-T students to meet with their graduate advisor to develop a program of study to meet certification, endorsement, and degree requirements.

 

[Component 1] Requirements for Elementary Certification and Initial Endorsement


A description of the initial endorsement sequence follows. Endorsement sequences for those already endorsed in one area of special education, but seeking additional endorsement(s), consist of different courses than listed here. Students should consult the appropriate graduate advisor.

 

Pre-Student Teaching Experience Requirements


One hundred fifty (150) hours of pre-student teaching are required.

  • Fifty (50) hours will be completed in general education K-5 classrooms.
  • Fifty (50) hours will be completed in elementary special education settings.
  • Fifty (50) hours will be completed in secondary special education settings.

Some of these hours will be completed in conjunction with education courses. All hours should be documented per department procedure.

Student Teaching


Two (2) semesters of student teaching will be completed, one in a general education elementary classroom and one in a special education setting.

 

[Component 2] Requirements for Graduate Degree Completion


In addition to the graduate coursework listed above, students are required to complete the following requirements of the Master of Arts in Special Education.

 

Degree Requirements: 41 hours