Special Education M.Ed. (Online)
The primary objective of the advanced programs in Special Education is for candidates to develop skills that facilitate their action as change agents in educational settings serving individuals with disabilities. Through sequenced coursework and assessments, candidates will gain skills and knowledge in designing and implementing research-based programs in field-based settings. Graduates of the program will possess the knowledge and skills to become leaders in their schools and to positively impact school and system practices.
The primary strength of our programs lies in the wide impact of the programs in advancing evidence-based practices in special education. Several leadership roles have been earned by candidates and graduates of the programs are a direct result of the knowledge and skills gained in designing and implementing evidence based programs.
Our programs are broadly focused on special education (i.e., the issues related to the education of learners with disabilities) while providing extensive opportunities for each student to concentrate on and conduct research within their specific area of interest.
Program Admissions Requirements
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Submission of official transcripts from all colleges/university attended. Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution to be eligible for admission into a graduate program at Georgia College.
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GPA Requirement:
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Option 1: Applicants who have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 from a regionally accredited university may be considered for admission to College of Education graduate programs OR
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Option 2: Applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree with an overall GPA between 2.5 and 2.74 from a regionally accredited university and hold 3 successful years of teaching experience, as documented by a letter from the current employer, may be considered for admission to a College of Education graduate program.
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A Georgia Professional Certificate, level four (4)
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Two professional recommendations (pdf) using the School of Education form
Program Overview
The Master of Education degree requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of course work in professional education, the certification area, and program requirements or electives. The degree program must be completed within six years beginning with the initial date of course work. Only those courses listed on the Program of Graduate Study fulfill degree requirements. Substitutions must be approved by the advisor prior to course enrollment and a Change of Graduate Program of Study form submitted to the appropriate departmental chairperson prior to enrollment. Up to nine (9) graduate credit hours may be transferred with the approval of the advisor prior to course enrollment. The appropriate form and documentation must be submitted with your request. Grades below a C do not fulfill degree requirements.
Advisement
The Program Coordinator, in cooperation with the admission committees and the Department Chair, assigns each admitted student to an Advisor. It is the responsibility of the student to meet with the assigned Advisor to develop an individualized program of study that meets the course work requirements. A signed program of study must be filed with the Advisor in order to be fully admitted.
Graduate Assistantships
Limited Graduate Assistantships are available. Details and an application can be found at http://www.gcsu.edu/sites/files/page-assets/node-512/attachments/application_form_pdf.pdf
Dismissal Policy
Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA during the program. If a student's GPA falls below a 3.0, he/she may petition to stay in the program for one semester on academic probation. If at the end of the semester on probation the student's GPA is still below a 3.0, he/she will be dismissed from the program. Any student who plagiarizes work will fail that course (receive an F) and be referred to the Judicial Council for a violation of Georgia College's Honor Code.
Program of Study
Required Courses
Satisfactorily complete each of the following courses:
Total Credit Hours: 36