All students must meet the Requirements for the Accelerated Master's Degree Pathways
Overview
The Accelerated Master’s Degree Entry Pathway (AMP) in Special Education is designed for UVM undergraduates to complete up to 9 credits towards their graduate degree while earning their undergraduate degree. Students in this pathway receive the same M.Ed. as the traditional state-approved Special Education M.Ed., but they complete the degree one year after earning their undergraduate degree. Students must apply and be admitted to the M.Ed. while still an undergraduate and before taking any credits that will apply to the M.Ed. The M.Ed. is a secondary curriculum that becomes their primary curriculum when they have completed the bachelor's degree. There are two pathways in the AMP in Special Education: Early Childhood Special Education and K- age 21 Special Education.
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K-age 21 Special Education: Students are prepared to collaborate with families, educators and other professionals in the design, implementation and evaluation of instruction for learners with disabilities in inclusive regular elementary, middle or high school classrooms. Students typically apply to the M.Ed. during the fall of their junior year. Upon acceptance, students meet with advisors to determine their course sequence. During the last 3 semesters of their undergraduate degree, students enroll in 2 or 3 required classes (6 or 9 credits) that count towards their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Additional information can be requested from the program coordinator. A non-licensure option is also available and the program plan can be tailored to students’ interests.
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Early Childhood Special Education: Students are prepared to provide individualized, family-centered special education services to young children with disabilities and their families through both direct and collaborative delivery systems coordinated with social service agencies in integrated home, preschool and community settings. Students typically apply to the M.Ed. in the fall semester of their Junior year or Senior year and usually take ECSP 6100, EDSP 5130, and EDSP 5100 during the spring of their junior or senior year. All 9 credits count towards the B.S. and Master’s degrees. The remaining 24 graduate credits are completed during 1 post-baccalaureate year.
Specific Requirements
Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies for the AMP in Special education
Candidates for the Accelerated Master's Entry Pathway in Special Education must be UVM undergraduates. Students typically apply during their Junior or Senior year. Applicants are evaluated based on their GPA (must be least a 3.00), 3 letters of recommendation, essay, official copy of undergraduate transcript, interview, and UVM Accelerated Master's Pathway permission form available from the Graduate College or CESS Student Services.
Minimum Degree Requirements
Specific courses are required for each area (K- age 21 Special Education, Early Childhood Special Education).
Specific requirements for the Special Education K-Age 21 Track include:
| EDSP 5100 | Foundations of Special Ed | 3 |
| EDSP 5130 | Severe Disabil Char&Intervent | 3 |
| EDSP 5110 | Meeting Inst Needs/All Stdnts | 3 |
| EDSP 5120 | Assessment in Special Ed | 3 |
| EDSP 6140 | Curr & Tech Spec Ed: Literacy | 3 |
| EDSP 6150 | Curr & Tech Spec Ed: Math | 3 |
| EDSP 6180 | Behavior Analysis in Spec Ed | 3 |
| EDSP 6991 | Internship: Student Teaching | 6-12 |
| EDSP 6130 | Collaborative Consultation | 3 |
Specific requirements for the Early Childhood Special Education Track include:
| EDSP 5100 | Foundations of Special Ed | 3 |
| ECSP 5110 | EI for Infants and Toddlers-GR | 3 |
| EDSP 5130 | Severe Disabil Char&Intervent | 3 |
| ECSP 6100 | Curriculum in ECSP | 3-4 |
| ECSP 6120 | Assessment in EI/ECSE | 3 |
| EDSP 6180 | Behavior Analysis in Spec Ed | 3 |
| EDSP 6130 | Collaborative Consultation | 3 |
| ECSP 6190 | Seminar in EI/ECSE | 3 |
| ECSP 6991 | Internship: EI/ECSE | 9-12 |
Specific Requirements for the Non-Licensure Track include:
| EDSP 5100 | Foundations of Special Ed | 3 |
| EDSP 5130 | Severe Disabil Char&Intervent | 3 |
| EDSP 6180 | Behavior Analysis in Spec Ed | 3 |
| EDSP 6130 | Collaborative Consultation | 3 |
| 3 additional courses in either EDSP or ECSP chosen in consultation with the advisor | 9 | |
| 3 elective courses chosen in consultation with the advisor | 9 | |
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination for both pathways is an oral examination taken in the last semester of study. Students meet with faculty to present their knowledge and application of key learning related to program requirements.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of master of education
Successful completion of any prerequisite courses, and at least 15 graded graduate credits with a 3.00 GPA or better, including all core courses. Program requires 30-36 credits depending on licensure requirements.