Jun 30, 2024

2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Special Education: Master’s in the Art of Teaching (M.A.T.)

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Graduate level candidates may select from the following three options:

Master’s Degree with a Special Education Endorsement (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cognitive Impairment, and Learning Disability): Graduate candidates have the option of earning an endorsement in special education (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cognitive Impairment, and Learning Disability) while earning a Master’s Degree in Special Education.
Master’s Degree with a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis in Special Education): Graduate candidates have the option of earning a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis in Special Education while earning a Master’s Degree in Special Education.
Master’s Degree without earning a Special Education Endorsement
Special Education Endorsement without earning a Master’s Degree

NOTE: Candidates without a teaching certificate (e.g., Graduate level candidates applying for the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis in Special Education) and interested in earning a Master’s degree in Special Education need approval from the Special Education: M.A.T. Program Coordinator.

Graduate Admission for Education

MAT Degree Requirements

The Special Education MAT program consists of a core of 37 credits graduate level courses. Of the 37, 6 credits are Foundation courses, 15 credits are Core Special Education courses, 12 credits are Cognate/Electives, and 7 credits are Capstone courses. Candidates should meet with a Faculty Advisor to determine their planned program.

A final grade point average of 3. 00 is required for graduation. No credit toward graduation is granted for courses with grades below “C. ” A student may be dismissed from the program if the cumulative GPA falls below 3. 00 after 12 credits have been accumulated at SVSU.

Endorsements: Graduate candidates have the option of earning endorsements in Special Education (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cognitive Impairment, and Learning Disability) with or without also earning a MAT. In order to earn a Special Education Endorsement, candidates must have already earned a general education teacher certificate.

Non-certified undergraduate candidates should refer to the Undergraduate Catalog.

For endorsements in Special Education, see:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (K-12) Endorsement

Cognitive Impairment (K-12) Endorsement

Learning Disabilities (K-12) Endorsement

Required Foundation Courses (6 cr)

These courses must be taken within the first 15 graduate credit hours of course work undertaken from this university.

Special Education Core (15 cr)

All candidates will complete the Special Education Core:

Cognate (12 cr)

Candidates must complete 4 of the following courses, as approved by program advisor.

Capstone (7 cr)

All Candidates will complete the following course:

TE 620 - Research & Practice: Experimental Design 3 cr

One course from:

Candidates must complete TE 621 or 660 (if pursuing a Special Education K-12 Endorsement with their M.A.T. in Special Education) as their final course.

NOTE

Students must submit an application for a Special Education Internship/Student Teaching or Practicum. Students can find applications online at the College of Education, Clinical Experience website. Students should be aware of the application deadlines. For more information, contact the Office of Clinical Experiences.

Special Education Endorsements

Certified teachers (elementary or secondary) may receive an endorsement to teach in Special Education programs requiring approval in either Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cognitive Impairment, or Learning Disabilities, by completing the required courses within the endorsement programs listed below. Michigan Special Education Administrative Rules require teachers to complete a minimum of 20 credits to add an Endorsement to an Existing Teaching Certificate. Please contact the Certification Officer in the College of Education regarding second and additional endorsement practicum hours and other course requirements. For additional information, students should schedule an appointment with the Certification Officer in the College of Education.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Endorsement Specialty Sequence (12 cr)

Candidates pursuing a Special Education Endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorder must complete the following courses:

Cognitive Impairment (CI) Endorsement Specialty Sequence (12 cr)

Candidates pursuing a Special Education Endorsement in Cognitive Impairment must complete the following courses:

Learning Disabilities (LD) Endorsement Specialty Sequence (12 cr)

Candidates pursuing a Special Education Endorsement in Learning Disabilities must complete the following courses:

Required Clinical Experience: (4-12 cr)

All Candidates must complete the Required Clinical Experience as follows:

For initial special education endorsement:

For subsequent special education endorsement:

TE 660 - Practicum Special Education 4 cr

NOTE:

Students must submit an application for Student Teaching or Practicum. Students can find applications online at the College of Education, Clinical Experience website. Students should be aware of the application deadlines. For more information, contact the Office of Clinical Experiences.

Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis in Special Education (21 cr)

Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis in Special Education

Program Description

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis in Special Education prepares students for roles as behavior analysts in educational and clinical settings. Students will prepare to take and pass the national behavior analyst certification examination developed by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) in accordance with the BACB’s coursework requirements for BCBA examination eligibility.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Education, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

An applicant for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis in Special Education must:

submit both departmental and university application forms.
have a master’s degree or be enrolled in a master’s degree program at Saginaw Valley State University.
submit three letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic potential to pursue graduate study and competence or potential to deliver applied behavior analysis or related services.
submit a statement of professional goals that clearly describe the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the certificate and the goals that the emphasis area will help them attain.
have access to high-speed internet and the appropriate technologies.

Applications are reviewed by faculty who look for indications of a high probability of success. The following factors are significant in determining admission to the emphasis area:

A grade-point average of 3.00 or higher in the last two years of undergraduate and all graduate courses.
Experience working with children and youth with disabilities in a school or camp or other experience with behavior analysis that is acceptable to the faculty.
Professional goals that are consistent with the objectives of the emphasis area.
A test of English language proficiency for students for whom English is not a first language.

The certificate requires completion of a seven-course sequence. All courses are offered online. Course selections must be pre-approved by the Program Coordinator to ensure compliance with the coursework requirements of the Behavior Analysts Certification Board. A student who, in the judgment of the faculty, has not completed appropriate courses in exceptional children or behavior management may be required to complete such courses in addition to the requirements below.