About
Miami University offers part-time graduate program options in special education for practicing educators and persons wanting to transition into the field of education. Our program is well-suited for students wanting to develop expertise in designing and implementing special education services for K-12 students with mild to moderate disabilities.
Developed for working professionals, this online program includes coursework that is primarily web-based and asynchronous, yet each course also includes regular live, synchronous Saturday sessions held via Zoom.
You will be trained as an Intervention Specialists who can:
- Identify and support learners with all types of developmental differences in the Mild to Moderate range
- Collaborate effectively with students, family members, colleagues and community members for best outcomes for students
- Interpret assessment data effectively and pair this with personal knowledge of students as individuals to design the best educational instruction, strategies
and supports that optimize learning outcomes and social interactions - Advocate for socially just practices in schools with a deep awareness of issues of dis/ability, race, class, gender and sexuality and the ways in which they may impact identification of and/or service delivery for children
- Demonstrate leadership in the field for promoting productive changes consistent with social change and growth
Program Options
There are four curriculum tracks within our graduate program. Licensure tracks include the coursework necessary to apply for an Ohio K-12 Mild-Moderate Intervention Specialist teaching license. Each track is designed to be pursued on a part-time graduate student basis only.
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education with Initial Teaching Certification
Appropriate for candidates seeking their first teaching credential
M.Ed. in Special Education with Licensure
Appropriate for candidates holding teaching credentials in any other discipline
M.Ed. in Special Education without Licensure
Appropriate for candidates holding intervention specialist licenses or candidates seeking alternative licensure
Intervention Specialist Licensure
Appropriate for candidates holding teaching credentials in any other discipline
Attractive Features
- Structured to quickly and efficiently license intervention specialists to alleviate shortages in the field of special education
- Primarily web-based, asynchronous coursework coupled with live, synchronous Saturday online course meetings
- Pathway to license and degree available to students without previous teacher education training
- Faculty offer a mix of exceptionally strong commitment to teaching with extensive special education practitioner experience
Student Learning Outcomes
- Graduates will be able to understand how exceptionalities may interact with development and learning and use this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences for individuals with exceptionalities.
- Graduates will be able to create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners and develop emotional well-being, positive social interactions, and self-determination.
- Graduates will be able to use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for individuals with exceptionalities.
- Graduates will be able to use multiple methods of assessment and data sources in making educational decisions.
- Graduates will be able to select, adapt, and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning of individuals with exceptionalities.
- Graduates will be able to use foundational knowledge of the field and their professional ethical principles and practice standards to inform special education practice, to engage in lifelong learning, and to advance the profession.
- Graduates will be able to collaborate with families, other educators, related service providers, individuals with exceptionalities, and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a range of learning experiences.
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