Graduate programs in Special Education prepare educators to meet national standards of excellence in communication skills, professional knowledge, and teaching competence. Programs of study are offered for both entry-level and experienced professionals and include certification and non-certification options. The M.Ed. program offers concentrations in High Incidence Disabilities, Low Incidence Disabilities, Early Intervention, Students At Risk and Individualized. The C.A.S. program offers a concentration in Special Education Administration.

Certification Options

Teacher of Students with High Incidence Disabilities (M.Ed.)

This 36-credit hour program leads to state certification as Teacher of Students with Disabilities (K-8 or 7-12) (282). It is designed for students who have a background in elementary or secondary education or have experience working with students with disabilities, and who can document competency and prior coursework in child/adolescent development and adapting instruction for students with disabilities (SED 402 or the equivalent). It may also be appropriate for students with undergraduate majors in related fields such as child development, psychology, communication disorders, occupational and physical therapy, and nursing.  Applicants who have not met program prerequisites may be admitted for part-time study if they are currently employed in work with students with disabilities. Prerequisite coursework (child/adolescent development and SED 402 or the equivalent) must be taken prior to enrolling in courses for the M.Ed.

Educational Specialists for Students with Low Incidence Disabilities (M.Ed.)

M.Ed.: This 36-credit hour program leads to state certification as an Educational Specialist for Students with Severe Disabilities (286). It is designed for students who have a background in elementary or secondary education, but may be appropriate for students with undergraduate majors in related fields such as child development, psychology, communication disorders, occupational and physical therapy, and nursing.

Early Intervention Personnel (M.Ed.)

This 39-credit program provides a foundation in the field of early intervention/early childhood and preparation for leadership roles. The program leads to state endorsement as Teacher of Children with Disabilities (birth to school-age 5). The curriculum is designed to prepare students in the fundamentals of professional practice in early intervention for inclusive environments, provide students with advanced content in a variety of research areas (e.g., early childhood, early childhood special education, family relationships, collaborative consultation), and place students in practicum experiences with high needs children ages birth-5 and their families. Courses are delivered via distance education technology.

Option A: 5th-Year Masters in Special Education with Specialization in Early Intervention: This option is open to a limited number of high performing University of Maine juniors and seniors who are majoring in Early Childhood Education, and who have an interest in working with high needs children with disabilities, ages birth to five, and their families.
Option B: Masters in Special Education with Specialization in Early Intervention for Professionals in Early Childhood or Related Field: This option is appropriate for students with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field who are currently working with, or have a desire to serve, high needs children with disabilities, ages birth to five, and their families.
 

Individually Designed Options 

M.Ed. or C.A.S.: Individually designed programs are for professionals who already hold certification in special education or are not interested in certification as a special education teacher. 

Potential candidates include:

• Experienced special educators who want to pursue more advanced study of a particular exceptionality (e.g., learning disabilities, behavioral disabilities) or domain (e.g., early literacy);
• General education teachers who want to increase their expertise in working with students with disabilities in general education classrooms; and
• Related services personnel who want to increase their understanding of educational policies and practices pertaining to students with disabilities (e.g., instructional strategies, educational assessments, special education law).

With a faculty advisor, students select courses around their unique needs and interests.  Courses are drawn from Special Education and other areas in the College of Education and Human Development, although at least 50 percent of the student’s credits for the degree must be in Special Education. 

M.Ed. programs are structured around a common core (research, seminar, and practicum) and require a minimum of 36 credit hours of study.  Programs can be designed to provide advanced study in areas of interest within Special Education such as Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities or Learning Disabilities, or to combine study of Special Education with course work in other areas such as Educational Leadership, Literacy, or Instructional Technology.

C.A.S. programs are also structured around a common core (research, seminar, and practicum) and can be designed to provide advanced study in areas of interest within Special Education such as Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities or Learning Disabilities, or to combine study of Special Education with course work in other areas such as Educational Leadership, Literacy, or Instructional Technology.  A minimum of 30 credit hours is required for those with a master’s degree in Special Education; 39-45 hours for those with a master’s degree in a related field.

Students At Risk

The Students At Risk concentration consists of 18 credits which may be taken as part of a master’s degree or C.A.S. program, either in Special Education or within the individually- designed M.Ed. or C.A.S. in Education.

The following courses are offered as part of this concentration:

• SAR 540 – Students At Risk.
• SAR 541  – Working with At-Risk Adolescents in the Public School.
• SAR 542 – Alternative Models for At-Risk Students.
• SAR 543 – Assessment, Methods, and Curriculum Design in Alternative Education. 
• SAR 544 –Systemic Supports for Students At Risk. 
• SAR 545 – Seminar: At-Risk Children and Adolescents.

Admission

For admission to a graduate program in Special Education, students must meet basic standards of the Graduate School and professional eligibility requirements specific to the area, as described above.  In addition, applicants seeking admission to programs that lead to certification must submit Praxis I scores with their applications.  Candidates who are already certified in Maine and have taken Praxis I previously can submit a copy of their certificates to document that they have met state standards on the test.  Applicants may be invited for a personal interview with the Special Education faculty.  Students should request financial aid information from the University’s Office of Financial Aid.  Special Education scholarships are sometimes available for candidates with documented financial need.  To be eligible, applicants must have applied for financial aid through the University’s Office of Financial Aid.