Department of Special Education

 

Application for Admission

  1. Applicants must adhere to the admissions procedures and regulations. Deadlines for applying for graduate admission in speech-language pathology are September 1 for the following spring semester and February 1 for the following summer or fall semester.

  2. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution and must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. The transcript must be submitted prior to admission. In addition to the transcript and an application for admission, the applicant must provide the department with:

    1. two letters of reference from persons who know well the applicant's undergraduate academic work, the applicant's potential to do graduate work, and/or the applicant's professional competence;
    2. a personal letter of application indicating concentration area and covering such topics as interest, experience, and career goals;
    3. official score on either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
    4. signed and notarized Rule 20 - Rule 21 statement required by the State Board of Education.
    5. evidence of a current, valid, teaching certificate ( NOTE: Under special circumstances, applicants may be admitted to degree programs in special education without a current, valid, teaching certificate).
  3. Submission of all required materials and documentation is not a guarantee of acceptance to graduate school.

Graduate-Level Student Teaching/Practica

All candidates in this department must obtain the permission of their academic advisor prior to applying for and registering for student teaching or a practicum. All candidates must complete one (or more) student teaching/practicum experiences as part of their preparation. At least one of these experiences must be an all-day, 16 week experience in the endorsement area.

Admission to a student teaching/practicum is by application only. Applications will not be considered unless all materials are submitted by October 1 for Spring/Summer student teaching and February 15 for Fall student teaching.

Upon admission to the student teaching/practicum, the department will issue a permit that allows the candidate to enroll in the appropriate course. It is the candidate's responsibility to enroll in the proper course. Professional seminars are required as part of the student teaching/practicum experience and attendance is mandatory. Candidates may be removed from their placement at the request of the candidate, department, or school district/community agency.

Thesis Option/Comprehensive Exams

Candidates in the degree program are encouraged to pursue a thesis option in their program. Completing a thesis will add three to six (3-6) credit hours to each area of concentration. Candidates choosing to write a thesis will not sit for a written comprehensive examination. Comprehensive questions will be included in the oral defense of the thesis. Special Education candidates not choosing a thesis option will sit for a comprehensive written examination, or may, with the consent of the advisor, complete a portfolio detailing their professional preparation.

Quality of Work Standards

Candidates must meet the "Quality of Work Standards" as found at http://www.unomaha.edu/graduate/Reg&AcademicPolicies.php#link12. Candidates will be dropped from the program for the following:
  1. Failure to maintain an overall GPA of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in graduate work.

  2. Failure to achieve a grade of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better in the first 12 hours of course work.

  3. Receiving nine (9) hours of graduate credit with a grade of "C" or "C+".

  4. Receiving a grade of less than "C" in any course included in the plan of study.