General Information
Information Sessions
Sessions are held at 1 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Those unable to attend sessions may schedule individual appointments by calling the College of Education at (206) 296-5760.
Students with disabilities face enormous challenges in today's educational system and society. These students require teachers with the highest quality of specialized training and who are committed to helping those most in need. The Special Education Program at Seattle University prepares teachers to provide specialized assessment and intervention services to the linguistically and culturally diverse population of students (K-12th grade) with disabilities.
Top
Who should consider this program?
The MIT with Special Education Endorsement is for those individuals who are interested in pursuing special education as a career and who are not currently certified teachers. Certified general education teachers who wish further preparation in special education are encouraged to apply to the M.Ed., Ed.S., or Endorsement Only program in special education. Students in the MIT with Special Education Endorsement may complete an elementary or secondary teaching certificate and the primary endorsement in special education through four quarters and two summers of full time study.
Related programs within the College of Education include the Master in Teaching (without special education endorsement), Literacy for Special Needs and the Curriculum and Instruction programs.
Top
Why Special Education?
Historically, students with disabilities were denied access to school. Powerful federal laws enacted over the last several decades now mandate that all students with disabilities have a right to a free and appropriate public education. Nationwide, over 6,000,000 children are now being served in special education in public schools. This means that 10 to 15% of the students within any school district will have special needs. Throughout the United States there is a shortage of well-trained special education teachers. Graduates of the Master In Teaching with Special Education Endorsement Program will find that their skills are in high demand, the job opportunities numerous, and that their work with students with disabilities will be both demanding and exceptionally gratifying.
Top
Program of Study
The Master In Teaching Program with Special Education Endorsement integrates a preservice teacher education program with a special education endorsement in six quarters of study. Students completing this fulltime program are prepared to teach in elementary or secondary general education classrooms and in special education settings making graduates of the program highly desirable to school districts. The sequence of courses blends general education and special education coursework with a variety of field experiences creating a highly integrated and cohesive program of study. Students admitted to the MIT with Special Education Endorsement program begin full time coursework in early March of each year (Spring Quarter). Students may take of their special education coursework prior to beginning their full time studies as non-matriculated students.
Top
The program curriculum includes comprehensive education theory and research following the themes of individualization, ethical responsibility, and the use of technology as an essential educational tool. Internships in regular and special education classrooms put pre-service teachers in touch with the world as it is lived by their students.
Top
Successful completion of the MIT program with a Special Education Endorsement will enable the student to become a certified teacher in Washington state. The elementary certification (K-8) candidate must have completed an undergraduate degree with a strong liberal arts foundation, including courses in language arts, sciences, math, social sciences and the arts. Seattle University offers one-credit independent study courses at a reduced fee to enable candidates to easily complete content areas necessary to meet the elementary endorsement. The secondary certification (5-12) candidate must have completed an undergraduate or a graduate degree from the endorsement list on the following page. Candidates graduating from this program will have endorsements in elementary and special education or in a secondary subject area and special education. An advisor will meet with the candidate to determine which combination of endorsements--elementary or secondary--will best meet the candidate's career goals. Elementary and special education endorsements are completed in this program of study. Candidates desiring to teach in the secondary school general education programs must have a certifiable subject area.
Top
Certain prerequisites must be completed prior to beginning the program, and these are described in detail on the MIT Prerequisite Form in the application packet. All students seeking elementary certification, in combination with the Special Education Endorsement, must demonstrate competency in mathematics through course work or successful completion of a math competency exam. For applicants who desire to demonstrate their competency via testing, the exam must be taken before June 1st. If the test is not passed, EDUC 412, Math for the Elementary School Teacher (or equivalent) must be taken in the summer quarter. To make arrangements to take the test call (206) 296-2300. A study guide is available on the web.
Top
Background Check
By Washington State law, a background check is required using fingerprint identification, conducted through the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The results of the background check may preclude teacher certification and placement in a school setting. Information on procedures is sent to those admitted to the MIT program.
Top
|
CONTACT US
Loyola Hall
Room 304
(206) 296-5760
mit@seattleu.edu
Prospective Students
General Information
Admissions Criteria
Application Procedures
Endorsements
Course Descriptions
Related Programs
Master in Teaching
M.Ed., Ed.S., and Endorsement Only in Special Education
Literacy for Special Needs
Curriculum and Instruction
NEW RESOURCE: Teaching Students with Severe Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: Best Practices Guide to Intervention
Download the Guide (NOTE: large
PDF: almost 4M).
Documents and Forms
Seattle University Graduate Bulletin
Special Education Endorsement
University Links
Graduate Bulletin
Admission and Application Procedures
Financial Aid
|
