Master of Arts in Special Education and Teacher Licensure
"The learning process is something you can incite, literally incite, like a riot."
~Audre Lorde
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NEW!
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Master of Arts in Special Education with Autism Spectrum Disorders and 15-credit Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders |
Graduates from Saint Joseph College's Special Education teacher preparation programs are recognized throughout Connecticut as exceptionally well-prepared, current in best practice, and a voice for justice for all children. They have been effectively guided by faculty who are experts in a wide variety of special education areas, master teachers in the classroom, and individuals passionate about serving the needs of all students.
The special education programs for the Master of Arts and for the M.A. with teacher licensure feature coursework and field experiences using research-based assessments and interventions to address the needs of students with diverse abilities and needs. Programs lead to students' eligibility to teach students with disabilities in learning, language, communication, attention, social/behavioral disorders, and cognitive delays, grades K-12, in Connecticut public schools and private special education accredited facilities.
Saint Joseph College teacher candidates have many options for gaining experience in educational settings through academic observations and fieldwork. In addition to public school classrooms, SJC students have priority placement for field experiences and student teaching at the Saint Joseph College lab schools: The Gengras Center, The School for Young Children, The School for Young Children onAsylum Hill, and The Charter School for Young Children for field placements, offering the opportunity to apply lessons to a diverse population of students.
The Gengras Center is a state approved, private special education facility located on campus. Opened in 1965, it is the first on-campus laboratory school of its kind in Connecticut. The Gengras Center serves as a practicum experience for all departments interested in having their students interact with children and youth with disabilities. As a community resource, The Gengras Center serves the educational needs of children and young adults (ages 3-21) with intellectual delays for more than 50 surrounding school districts in Greater Hartford. An extensive vocational program is provided which includes campus and community worksites. Other programs include an Integrated Pre-School Program, Academic, and LIFE Skills curriculum.
The School for Young Children, established in 1936 as a laboratory setting, provides a model preschool and kindergarten educational program for children three to six years of age. The school serves as a resource for the purpose of observation, research and field experiences with young children. Accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs and recognized by the Connecticut State Board of Education, the school demonstrates current educational practices.
Candidates' experiences lead them to meet the needs of all students in today's contemporary classrooms by building strong collaborative partnerships among schools, families, and communities. With multiple approaches, extensive skills, and a deep appreciation of individual learning needs, candidates are prepared to enhance the lives and learning of all students.
Candidates enroll in programs spanning from initial teacher licensure to advance studies at all levels, K through grade 12. With personal guidance from the Certification Office and/or Special Education faculty, applicants select from a variety of program opportunities as described below.
Graduate Program Options:
- Comprehensive K-12 initial teacher licensure: simultaneous with Master of Arts in Special Education.
- Self-designed Master of Arts in Special Education: 30-credit program developed in consultation with a faculty advisor, including minimum of 18 credits in Special Education, capitalizing on various program offerings (e.g. education, counseling, and specific content areas such as science).
- Certificate in Urban Education: 15-credit certificate; may lead to a self-designed Master of Arts in Special Education or Education.
- Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders: 15-credit certificate; may lead to a Master of Arts in Special Education: Autism Spectrum Disorders specialization.
- Cross Endorsement Courses: available to fulfill Connecticut State Department of Education requirements for cross-endorsement in Special Education.
| Master of Arts in Special Education with Initial Teacher Licensure | ||
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Academic Pre-requisites/Requirements |
Required Courses | Student Teaching |
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Application for student teaching must be submitted by September 15 or February 1 in the semester before student teaching. No additional course work may be taken during student teaching. All requirements must be fulfilled before student teaching. All coursework must be passed with a B or better. ForTeacher Licensure Application: Praxis II must be passed to complete the teacher license application. |
| Master of Arts in Special Education: Self-Designed | ||
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| Master of Arts in Special Education • Autism Spectrum Disorders Specialization | ||
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Matriculation Requirements into the Graduate School
or Teacher Licensure with the Master of Arts Degree |
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| Those interested in special education teacher licensure should begin the process of acceptance by calling the Certification Office Assistant for the most streamlined approach: 860.231.5330. | |
| Matriculation to the Graduate School for M.A. Only | Plus Teacher Licensure |
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Send the following items to:
To finalize your Graduate School application, make an appointment with a faculty advisor listed below to create a Master of Arts Planned Program of Study. |
To apply for admission to teacher licensure also, complete these additional items
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Special Education Course Descriptions
Contacts
Special Education Teacher Licensure
- Certification Officer, Jill Mack: 860.231.5335
- Certification Office Assistant: 860.231.5330
Special Education Faculty
- Dr. Lydia Conca, Special Education; Urban Education, lconca@sjc.edu
- Dr. Joan Hofmann, Special Education; Academy for Young Writers, jhofmann@sjc.edu
- Dr. Kathleen Whitbread, Special Education; Autism Spectrum Disorders, kwhitbread@sjc.edu
Education Department Office Manager
- Lisa Sandstrom, 860.231.5331, lsandstrom@sjc.edu
Saint Joseph College
Department of Education
1678 Asylum Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
