MSEd in Special Education - Early Childhood & Childhood (Birth-Grade 6)

Program Learning Outcomes 

Special Education: Early Childhood Education (MSEd) 

Program: Special Education  
Coordinator: Barbara Chorzempa  
SPA: CEC  

• Content Knowledge: Teacher candidates who successfully complete the Special Education Master’s Degree program will develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to demonstrate content mastery of the a) legal, social, and historical foundations of the field of special education, b) characteristics of learners with disabilities, c) general and specialized curricula, d) state/national, professional and ethical standards; and e) current policies and issues within the field of special education.  
• Planning: Teacher candidates who successfully complete the Special Education Master’s Degree program will develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to plan universally designed lessons in the core content areas that a) address appropriate standards, b) include differentiated instructional strategies, c) utilize assistive and adaptive technologies (where appropriate), and d) promote the valuing of diversity, respect, and inclusion in safe, democratic, and equitable learning environments.  
• P-12 learning: Teacher candidates who successfully complete the Special Education Master’s Degree program will develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to design, administer, score, and interpret informal and formal assessments that inform the educator’s comprehensive understanding of a student’s interests, strengths and needs, and guide educational decisions.  
• Dispositions: Teacher candidates who successfully complete the Special Education Master’s Degree program will develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to demonstrate the use of professional ethical principles and professional practice standards; conduct themselves as reflective practitioners; participate effectively in institutional change, social justice, and student advocacy; and establish positive, professional interpersonal relationships with students, families, colleagues, staff and administrators.  
• Pedagogical practice: Teacher candidates who successfully complete the Special Education Master’s Degree program will develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to select, implement, and evaluate curriculum, instructional materials and practices, and behavior management techniques needed to promote active student engagement and maximize student learning--including a variety of developmentally and contextually appropriate evidence-based practices and culturally responsive practices. 

• Critical Thinking and Reasoning:  Clearly articulate an issue or problem; identify, analyze, and evaluate ideas, data, and arguments as they engage in planning, assessing, and teaching; and acknowledge limitations such as perspective and bias as they develop well-reasoned arguments to form judgements and/or draw conclusions that support pedagogical decisions. 

• Information Literacy:  Locate appropriate resources effectively using appropriate tools; evaluate information with an awareness of authority, validity, and bias; and demonstrate an understanding of the ethical dimensions of information use, creation, and dissemination as they relate to the field of education.