How To Get A Masters Degree In Special Education

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1 University of South Florida College of Education Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) at the University of South Florida is a graduate program in special education for teachers that hold an undergraduate degree is something other than special education. This program leads to a Masters degree and certification in Varying Exceptionalities and ESOL. This program requires credit hours (depending on previous completed coursework). Although this program is specifically designed for employed out-of-field teachers in special education who do not hold a professional certificate in teaching, this program can be adjusted to allow students who are certified in elementary and secondary education to participate in this program. Students will be admitted annually in the summer term and will matriculate as members of a cohort. The MAT in Special Education is highlighted by: An Integrated Curriculum: The MAT curriculum will be introduced, taught, and mastered in a series of instructional blocks that integrate content in a spiraling manner On-site Mentors: Master teachers within the districts will provide one-on-one mentoring for each program participant. An Accelerated Pace: This program can be completed in 2 summers and 3 academic semesters. It utilizes intensive summer and evening courses. Action Research: All students will be required to conduct research in their classrooms and investigating how they may use more effectively research-based interventions. This requires that students link theory and practice and encourages an inquiring approach to teaching. Projects: Student will be assigned performance based activities and projects that must be completed successfully throughout the program. *Stipends are available to students who are admitted into program

2 MAT Admission Requirements 1. An earned baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university. 2. Evidence of ability to perform successfully in the academic program, as indicated by one of the following: An earned graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted while registered as an upper division student working for a baccalaureate degree, or A combined GRE score on the Verbal and Quantitative Subtests of 1000 or higher 3. Evidence of passing scores on all portions of the General Knowledge or CLAST subtest. Effective July 1, 2002: Students may be admitted based on the successful completion of the General Knowledge or the CLAST. However evidence of passing scores on all portions of the General Knowledge Test is now a graduation requirement for all students. [***The one exception for Exit is for students who took and passed all sections of the CLAST prior to July 1, These students will not be required to take the General Knowledge Test for EXIT.] 4. A letter of application that addresses why the candidate desires to pursue a master s degree in special education. 5. At least two (2) letters of recommendation, one from a person who has seen the candidate teach and/or work with children and youth and the other from an administrator or supervisor. 6. After all your materials are completed, the will schedule a face-to-face interview to evaluate if your goals meet the programs goals and the program meets your goals. 7. In addition to the above criteria the student must have a cumulative GPA in the baccalaureate degree of at least a Please attach a copy of your teaching certification, if you have one.

3 Admissions Checklist Submit to Graduate Admissions Graduate Application ( Transcripts General Knowledge or CLAST test scores (To schedule for test call ) GRE (ONLY if Undergraduate GPA is NOT above a 3.0) $30.00 Submit to the MAT application (attached) 2 letters of recommendation, one from someone that has seen you teach and the other from an administrator or supervisor 1 personal essay about why you want to be in the MAT program After all your materials are completed, a face-to-face interview will be scheduled with you. For more Information, contact: Sarah Semon Program Recruiter University of South Florida 4202 E Fowler Avenue, EDU 402 Tampa, FL (813) ssemon@tempest.coedu.usf.edu

4 Frequently Asked Questions Q. How is the MAT different from the current Plan II Masters Degree in Special Education? A. The current Plan II Masters Degree Program in Special Education requires students complete 69 credit hours in order to graduate with a Masters Degree as well as certification in Varying Exceptionalities. Also, the current MA program does not include ESOL endorsement. The MAT program is a 48-hour program that leads to certification in Varying exceptionalities and an endorsement in ESOL. The MAT reduces the number of hours by infusing and integrating content through instructional blocks. Course work for the current Plan II Masters Degree Program and the MAT are not interchangeable. These programs are two different programs. Q. Do I need to complete the entire sequence of coursework with my cohort? A. The MAT curriculum consists of several blocks of content and some stand-alone courses. The Blocks must be taken in order with your cohort. The stand-alone courses may be taken at other times. Q. Do I have to be employed as a teacher in order to be accepted into the MAT? A. You do not have to be employed as a teacher to be admitted, but you will need to be employed as a teacher by the fall semester of the first year. The curriculum includes action research projects that must be completed in your classroom. You will also be assigned mentors at your school that will provide job-embedded professional development opportunities. Q. What if I am already certified in Elementary Education or Secondary Education, can I still be admitted to the MAT? A. Yes, but you should discuss this with an advisor in the program. Elementary and Secondary Education majors may not be required to take as many stand alone courses, but they will be required to complete all of the block courses. The block courses may contain some content that education majors have already had in their undergraduate coursework. Since the MAT is specifically designed for employed out-of-field teachers in special education who do not hold a professional certificate in teaching, preference will be given to those students when making decisions regarding admission. Q. Is there financial assistance available? A. Please visit the Tuition Assistant page at for links to financial aids.

5 Master of Arts in Teaching Application NAME: SSN: ADDRESS: CITY: STATE: ZIP CODE: Telephone Number: (Home) (Work) Address: Current School Employment Current position held: Mentor at School: Bachelor s Degree Major: Do you currently hold teacher certification in the State of Florida? In what area do you hold teacher certification? ADMISSIONS INFORMATION: GPA (last 60 hours of BA degree): GRE: Verbal Quantitative Last date taken: Passed the CLAST: YES NO Last date taken: Have you taken any graduate level courses at USF? If yes, please list course number and course title of those courses. Course Number Course Title Have you taken any courses toward certification in special education? If yes, please list course number and course title of those courses. Course Number Course Title Please submit (1) this application, (2) a letter of application that addresses why the candidate desires to pursue a master s degree in special education and (3) at least two letters of recommendation from persons who have seen the candidate teach and/or work with children and youth to: Sarah Semon University of South Florida 4202 East Fowler Avenue, EDU 162 Tampa, Florida 33620