Mission
Special Education
Master's Program
The Special Education Program is engaged in undergraduate and graduate instruction and is involved in the full mission of The University, that is, teaching, research and service. Financial assistance is available on a competitive basis through graduate assistantships, project positions, tuition stipends, and scholarships.
The mission of the Special Education Program is to prepare highly skilled teachers and teacher-educators, as well as to provide leadership to the field of Special Education at local, state, national and international levels. The purpose of this mission is to assist individuals with disabilities in acquiring greater independence in an increasingly diverse, technological, and literacy-intensive global community. Philosophically, research-based theory and practice are the foundation of our preparation of teachers and teacher-educators, as well as related-service and leadership personnel. The Special Education Program is also committed to the preparation of personnel who celebrate and foster inclusion, diversity, and multiculturalism.
Introduction
Admissions
Program Planning
Retention and Program Evaluation
Graduate Student Report
Student Organization
Resource List
The master's program in the Special Education is available to students who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree at an accredited college or university. The program is designed to assure that all candidates have sufficient skills required for teaching persons with disabilities in schools and community-based educational or training programs. Each of the special education courses included in the programs of study include content consistent with the Standards for the Preparation and Licensure of Special Educators published by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC, 4th edition, 2000).
Students entering the masters program who have completed undergraduate training and who have a teaching certificate in special education will develop advanced skills in teaching individuals with disabilities. These advanced skills meet the University of Georgia's and the Georgia Professional Standards Commission's criteria for advanced studies. All advanced study courses offered by the Special Education Program include graduate students only. This advanced program includes rigorous study of research methods and findings that allow students to become skilled consumers and producers of research.
Students entering the masters program who have completed undergraduate training in another teaching field, or who are out-of-field, will have a longer program of study. These students must develop both initial and advanced skills prior to certification. Each student who enters the program without initial certification in special education must take a series of prerequisite courses that are listed on each master's degree program of study (See Program of Study below). These courses must be completed at the University of Georgia or at another accredited college or university. They must be taken before completion of the program of study and in some cases before certain advanced courses that require them as prerequisites.
Students accepted into the master's program who do not have a degree and/or teaching certification in special education are strongly encouraged to begin their course work the summer semester of the year they are admitted in the program. During the first summer semester students will begin the prerequisite course work that will allow them to enroll in advanced courses during fall and spring semesters.
Students from out-of-field who are not able to begin their program during summer semester can appeal to the faculty for entrance into the program during fall semester. If the appeal is successful, students who enter during fall semester will be limited in the courses they are eligible to take. The Program of Study for students not able to enter the program during summer semester will require additional time for completion.
Students may select to pursue a masters of education degree (M.Ed.) Or a master of arts degree (M.A.). Field work is an important part of both master's degree programs. Students choosing an M.Ed. degree must select either an applied project with committee over site or applied project and comprehensive exams for their exit project. Those students choosing the M.A. degree option are required to complete a thesis.
The on campus Special Education Program does not accept post-baccalaureate non-degree students who only wish to add special education certification to an existing undergraduate degree or previously earned certification. SETWEB is an Internet-based non-degree alternative certification program for initial certification in interrelated Special Education.
Application Requirements
Initial Admission - The masters degree program is a restricted program that has room for approximately 40 students annually. Students seeking entrance into the Special Education master degree program must complete the application process on or before February 15th of the year they wish to enter the program in order to be given priority consideration in the evaluation process. Admission is restricted to Summer and Fall Semesters. The faculty will evaluate applications based on undergraduate grade point averages, GRE quantitative and verbal scores (and TOEFL), quality of essay, letters of recommendation, and resume. Faculty members may also wish to speak to prospective applicants and may call them to discuss their professional goals prior to deciding on acceptance.
Initial Admission Requirement (February 15th)
- Applicants must apply to the graduate school at http://www.applyweb.com/apply/ugg/. This includes an application fee.
- Applicants must also complete a program application at www.coe.uga.edu/csse/spe/.
- Completion of a three page essay articulating the applicant's goals and aspirations for wanting to be a special education teacher (typed, doubled spaced, times or times new roman 12 point font)
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7 for courses taken at an accredited school.
- Minimum GRE score of 850 (quantitative plus verbal scores). The exam must have taken within the past five years.
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume
Final Admission Requirements - The students initially chosen for admission will be informed in writing of the final entrance requirements (see below) they must complete or maintain to retain their position in the new class. All other applicants meeting the initial admission requirements will be placed on a waiting list and so informed in writing. Applicants not meeting the initial admission requirements will be so informed in writing.
Final Entrance Requirements (End of Spring Semester)
- Notify the Department within 14 days of acceptance on plans to enroll in summer or fall.
- Complete requirements for Praxis I (either by test or exemption)
- Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.7 for courses taken at an accredited institutions
The Graduate Record Examination is administered by the Educational Testing Service, 20 Nassau Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, and various centers throughout the country. Advance registration is required. Applications may be obtained from The University of Georgia Testing Office at (706) 542-3282.
As a requirement of final acceptance into the program, each student will be required to purchase a LiveText account within the first week of classes of the first semester of
attendance. LiveText is an electronic course and portfolio management system used by the college. It allows students to post portfolios, and provides a means of uploading
assignments to be graded by instructors.
The Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree programs are designed to prepare master teachers who are competent in the areas of assessment, behavioral supports, and specialized instructional methods. Competency in these areas is obtained through didactic and field experiences. Students select an area of emphasis within the M.A. or M.ED. degrees, including Special Education General Curriculum, Special Education Adapted Curriculum, and Special Education General Curriculum/Early Childhood. All programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for State Teaching Certification and use the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) standards for special education teachers. Students wishing to obtain state certification must complete the degree requirements in order to be recommended for a Georgia teaching certificate, as well as pass the specified certification assessments.
When admitted to the Special Education Program the student and his/her advisor cooperatively develop a written program of study based upon the student's career objectives, previous education, experience, and the program requirements. In compliance with Graduate School deadlines, the written program is signed by the advisor and sent to the coordinator of graduate studies for approval. Students must also receive the approval of a new advisor who is willing to accept the student as an advisee. The program plan is then forwarded to the Graduate School, where it becomes the official program of study for that student. Students may change advisors at any time during their studies by writing a letter to the Graduate Coordinator requesting a change.
The advisor will also interview the student and review the student's transcripts to insure departmental prerequisites are met before beginning masters level work. For example, if a student has not had a basic course in applied behavior analysis he/she will be required to take the undergraduate prerequisite. Students may be required to take other prerequisite course work based on their career goals and area of specialization. Prerequisite courses are in addition to the masters program of study. A student need not complete all prerequisite course work before enrolling in graduate course work.
All students in the master's program are expected to demonstrate knowledge and skill competencies in using psychoeducational tools for assessing individuals with disabilities, advanced applied behavior analysis skills, specialized methods of instruction, and assistive technology. Students are also expected to understand the unique needs of students and their families, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The following can be downloaded as a PDF. PDFs can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader, a program available for free from Adobe.
Program of Study Forms |
| Special Education General Curriculum |
| Special Education Adapted Curriculum |
| Early Childhood Special Education General Curriculum |
Retention and Program Evaluation
All graduate students are evaluated each semester by their major advisor in order to assess their progress in the program. Students must maintain an average of 3.0 (B) on all graduate courses taken and on all courses on the program of study. No grade below 2.0 (C) will be accepted as part of the program of study for a graduate degree. Students may be dismissed from the department at the end of any semester if they have not made sufficient academic progress to warrant continuance of study. Students with a cumulative graduate course average below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters are placed on academic probation. Students must then make a 3.0 or higher semester graduate average each succeeding semester that their overall cumulative graduate average is below 3.0. Students who earn below a 3.0 semester graduate average while on probation are dismissed. All University of Georgia students have the right to appeal academic decisions. See the University of Georgia Graduate Bulletin for complete details on retention policies.
The Special Education Program values the insight and opinions of all graduate students in its efforts to improve programs and individual course offerings. The Graduate Assessment Plan for the department approved at the University level provides complete details on the procedures used to evaluate the expected learning outcomes of students graduating from any program and is available to all students upon request. Yearly activities are conducted by the Graduate Coordinator and each graduate advisor to evaluate the quality of the program by surveying current and former students and evaluating student progress towards degree completion.
The Faculty in Special Education historically have been awarded personnel preparation grants, service grants, and research grants which have funded qualified graduate students in the form of graduate assistantships and tuition stipends. In addition, graduate assistantships are available through the Department and the Learning Disabilities Center. For further information about funding from a grant please contact the departmental office at (706) 542-4617.
The Special Education Program has a student chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children. The Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) is a professional organization which promotes the advancement and education of all exceptional children. All Special Education majors are strongly encouraged to join. By joining the SCEC, you will receive the organization's journals, Exceptional Children and Teaching Exceptional Children, and will receive discounts for registration at CEC-sponsored conventions.
Special Education
Melanie Smith – Academic Advisor I
(706) 542-4617
E-Mail – mssmith@uga.eduAnne Bothe, Ph.D. -Department Head
(706) 542-0436
E-Mail - abothe@uga.eduCecil Fore, Ph.D. - Associate Graduate Coordinator
(706) 542-4603
E-Mail- cfore@uga.eduTom J. Clees, Ph.D. - Program Director
(706)542-4577
E-Mail- tclees@uga.edu
Graduate School - (706) 542-1787
Maureen Grasso, Ph.D., Dean - (706) 542-1739
Graduate Admissions - (706) 542-1787
Graduate Records - (706) 542-4800
Graduation Office - (706) 542-4803
Financial Aid - (706) 542-6147
Office of Minority Programs - (706) 542-5773
Office of International Services & Programs - (706) 542-1557
Office of Disabilities Services - (706) 542-8719
Housing - (706) 542-1421
Clinic - (706) 542-4589
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