Special Education AMP

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 1 year after earning their undergraduate degree. The M.Ed. is a secondary curriculum that becomes their primary curriculum when they have completed the bachelor's degree. There are 2 concentrations in the AMP in Special Education:  K- age 21 Special Education and non-licensure. 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.

  1. K-age 21 Special Education concentration: 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. 

  2. Non-Licensure Special Education concentration: Students are prepared to collaborate with families, educators and other professionals in a variety of school and community settings. Students have the option to take courses focusing on behavior, trauma informed practices and other special topics.

Specific Requirements

Minimum Degree Requirements

Specific courses are required for each area (K- age 21 Special Education, Non-Licensure).

Specific requirements for the Special Education K-Age 21 Concentration include:

Requirement DescriptionCredits
EDSP 5100Foundations of Special Ed3
EDSP 5130Teach Students w/Complex Needs3
EDSP 6180Relational Behavior Support3
EDSP 6130Collaborative Consultation3
EDSP 5110Meeting Inst Needs/All Stdnts3
EDSP 5120Assessment in Special Ed3
EDSP 6140Curr & Tech Spec Ed: Literacy3
EDSP 6150Curr & Tech Spec Ed: Math3
EDSP 6991Internship: Student Teaching9
EDSP 6190Special Ed Internship Seminar Students will take 1 credit in the fall and 1 credit in the spring for 2 credits total2
EDSP 6191Portfolio Seminar Only required for students seeking initial licensure in Special Education1

Specific requirements for the Non-Licensure Concentration include:

Requirement DescriptionCredits
EDSP 5100Foundations of Special Ed3
EDSP 5130Teach Students w/Complex Needs3
EDSP 6180Relational Behavior Support3
EDSP 6130Collaborative Consultation3
At least 12 credits from the following courses:12
Meeting Inst Needs/All Stdnts
Assessment in Special Ed
Gr Culture of Disability
Preventing School Shootings
GlobalDisabilityStudies:Africa
Special Topics
Curr & Tech Spec Ed: Literacy
The Trauma Lens
Curr & Tech Spec Ed: Math
Fam,Schl&Intrprof Partnerships
Resilience-orient Systems Chng
Restorative&Trma Pract w/Child
The Community Schools Approach
1 elective course- any of the above courses or:3
ASD: Assessment & Intervention
Augmentative Communication
Applied Educational Research

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination for both concentrations 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.