Requirements
Prior to admission to the M.A.T. program with certification in Special Education PK-12 all applicants must meet with the Chair of the School of Education or a designated department faculty member and the Director of Field Experience.
The M.A.T. program in Special Education PK-12 is designed for the teaching candidate whose goals include initial certification in Special Education PK-12 and an M.A.T. degree.
The courses include:
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Nine credits hours of coursework that give candidates an understanding of foundation of education, of human development and the psychology of the teaching/learning process.
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Seven credit hours that focus on general and specific teaching methodologies, practicum, and the reading process.
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Eighteen credit hours that focus on developing candidates’ understanding of working with learners with special needs.
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Twelve credit hours will be included to foster an understanding of literacy development and mathematical reasoning.
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Student teaching
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Six credit hours in core courses, providing the candidate with the opportunity to integrate theory and practice in both research and learning theory.
These courses are certification requirements for those students seeking both the degree and Pennsylvania Instructional I certification. Eligibility for certification is determined by fulfillment of state requirements, including Pennsylvania Education Certification Tests (PRAXIS) taken upon completion of the program. Courses in the M.A.T. in Special Education PK-12 program fulfill these requirements.
All candidates are required to fulfill field experience and student teaching requirements.
Field Experience – Education certification candidates in all programs must maintain continuous registration for field experience and sign up each semester in the Office of Professional Education Field Experience. Clearances (Criminal Background, Child Abuse Clearance; FBI Fingerprints, Mantoux test, and others required locally) must be active and on file in the Field Experience Office throughout field placement and student teaching semesters.
Placements are made by the Director of Professional Education Field Experience and are within an established radius from the University.
Required Courses
| EDUC 502 | Multidisciplinary Foundations of Education | 3 |
| PSYC 513 | Child Development | 3 |
| RED 524A | Creative Teaching of Language Arts | 4 |
| RED 526 | Teaching Content Area Reading | 3 |
| EDUC 470F | Elementary Curriculum: Math | 3 |
| SPED 507 | Characteristics & Remedial Strategies Im | 3 |
| SPED 523 | Programming for the At-RiskyInfant/Preschool Child | 3 |
| SPED 536 | Cognitive Assessment and Remediation | 3 |
| RED 530 | Reading Disabilities and Diagnosis | 3 |
| SPED 500 | The Law and Special Education and Service Delivery | 3 |
| SPED 520 | Evidence Based Practices | 3 |
| SPED 539 | Behavior Management Approaches | 3 |
| EDUC 561 | Methods Materials and Assessment in ESL Teaching ESL | 3 |
| SPED 522 | Career Education for Students With Disabilities | 3 |
| EDUC 591 | Graduate Level Student Teaching | 1.5 |
| EDUC 598B | ST: Special Topics in Student Teaching | 3 |
Candidates pursuing a Master's Degree must also successfully complete the following core coursework
NOTE: The requirements discussed in this section are subject to change based on guidelines established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.