Graduate study in Special Education is designed to prepare students for careers in Special Education K-12 (Initial Licensure). Graduate study in Special Education leads to the Master of Education.

Admission Requirements:

Candidates seeking admission must:

• Complete a graduate application
• Have an undergraduate GPA of not less than 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale (cumulative at the end of the final semester of undergraduate work.
• Candidates must successfully complete the Core Academic Skills for Educators Mathematics 5732 and the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)
• Submit official transcripts to verify core content areas for Special Education.

Candidates are solely responsible for meeting all requirements prior to being moved into Phase II of the program. 

• Candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA at the graduate level in order to be retained in graduate school.  
• Upon admission, candidates must complete “program cards” in consultation with their advisor during their first semester of enrollment. Program cards will be signed by the advisor. Upon approval of the program card by the Dean of the Graduate College, the Dean of the College of Education, the advisor and candidate will receive a copy.

Summary Requirements

The graduate program in Special Education offers a program of study that leads to a Master of Education degree with a focus on Special Education (K-12) is designed for candidates who have a four- year degree and desire to teach.  The candidate’s transcript will be evaluated to determine if the grade point average have been met.  In addition, the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educations Mathematics, and Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) must be satisfied during the admission phase.  The Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) Assessment must be satisfied prior to candidacy.  Assessment requirements may change according to the Virginia Department of Education licensure regulations.

PHASE I:  ADMISSION

Candidates seeking admission must:

• Complete a graduate application
• Have an undergraduate GPA of not less than 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale (cumulative at the end of the final semester of undergraduate work.
• Candidates must successfully complete the PRAXIS CASE Mathematics and Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)
• Submit official transcripts to verify core content areas for Special Education.

Candidates are solely responsible for meeting all requirements prior to being moved into Phase II of the program.  

V.    Candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA at the graduate level in order to be retained in graduate school.  

• Upon admission, candidates must complete “program cards” in consultation with their advisor during their first semester of enrollment. Program cards will be signed by the advisor. Upon approval of the program card by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and the Dean of the College of Education, the advisor and candidate will receive a copy.

PHASE II – ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY

Candidates seeking candidacy must complete “Admission to Candidacy” paperwork with their advisor and submit to the graduate office.  Paperwork is in attachment section of handbook as well as online.  

Candidates must:

1. Complete a minimum of 12 hours of course work
2. Maintain a B average or above in all content and core courses
3. Submit an application for candidacy

Other important information regarding admission to candidacy:

• Admission to candidacy must be completed no later than one semester prior to graduation
• Candidates may not apply for candidacy and graduate in the same semester

PHASE III:  CANDIDACY

Upon submission and approval of candidacy paperwork to the graduate office, candidates advance to the candidacy phase of their program.

Candidates must:

1. Advance to candidacy
2. Complete all required coursework
3. Participate in a full-time internship
4. Receive a clinical/site supervisor evaluation
5. Receive a university supervisor evaluation

Other important information regarding candidacy phase:

• Candidates must complete all required coursework and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Candidates must pass the Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) Assessment before doing their graduate internship.
• Candidates must apply for graduation at the graduate office.  Applications are due prior to the end of the first month of the graduation semester. (see Academic calendar)

PHASE IV:  PROGRAM COMPLETION

Candidates must:

1. Successfully complete all required coursework and phases of candidacy
2. Successfully complete the Action Research course (EDUC 580) that is the final course before graduation.
3. Apply for graduation
4. Complete candidate exit survey

Other important information regarding program completion:

• Candidates must apply for graduation through the graduate office by the dates identified (see website).  
• It is the candidates’ responsibility to complete and submit the required paperwork for licensure to the College of Education.
• Exit surveys will be completed at the conclusion of the action research project.

PHASE V:  GRADUATE FOLLOW-UP

1. Participate in a graduate follow-up survey
2. Employee follow-up survey

Program Requirements
for Masters of Education Degree
in Special Education