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Graduate Studies
Graduate Studies

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special education graduate programs.

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders

Application for Admission
  1. Applicants must adhere to the admissions procedures and regulations. Deadlines for applying for graduate admission in special education and speech-language pathology are September 1 for the following spring semester and February 1 for the following fall semester.
  2. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a regionally 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 along with the application fee, the applicant will be asked to supply on-line:
    1. the name and e-mail of two 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 statement of purpose
    3. official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for Speech-Language Pathology applicants.
    4. signed Rule 20 - Rule 21 statement required by the State Board of Education;
    5. for Special Education applicants,evidence of 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/Externships

All candidates in this department must obtain the permission of their academic advisor prior to applying for and registering for student teaching, practicum, or externship. All candidates must complete one (or more) student teaching/practicum/externship 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/externship is by application only. Applications will not be considered unless all materials are submitted by October 1 for Spring student teaching and February 15 for Fall student teaching.

Upon admission to the student teaching/practicum/externship, the department will issue a permit that allows the candidate to enroll in the appropriate course. It is the candidate’s responsibility to apply for the proper course. Professional seminars are required as part of the student teaching/practicum/externship 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. Candidates not choosing a thesis option must pass a written comprehensive examination selected by the faculty.

Quality of Work Standards

Candidates must meet the Quality of Work Standards. 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;
  5. For Speech-Language Pathology candidates only: receiving a grade of less than "B" in all sections of SPED 8460 and SPED 8500 as well as SPED 8510 and SPED 8520.

last updated: 11/2/2011 at 3:53pm