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Master's Degree Exit Requirements

  1. Written Comprehensive Examinations are required of graduate students, are composed of questions drawn from all courses taken in graduate studies course work, and must be completed successfully prior to graduation. Comprehensive exams are given in October, March and June. Only one re-examination is allowed. In order to take the written comprehensive examination, send in an application at least six (6) weeks prior to the date of the exam.
  2. In order to exit the program, students must have (1) a grade point average of 3.00 and a grade of B- or better in all course work and; (2) satisfactorily completed all program requirements including undergraduate content hour deficiencies, the written comprehensive examination (with no more than one successful re-examination) and the internship/student teaching experience; and (3) complete a Graduate Student Assessment; (4) completed the Post Task Rating Form and (5) submit a professional portfolio according to program guidelines before the awarding of the master's degree. Beginnining in December 2004, candidates seeking initial special education licensure will be required to take the Virginia Reading Assessment.
  3. Application for graduation must be filed at the Office of Student Records by these dates:

    December graduation: Third Friday in July
    May graduation: Second Friday in November
    August graduation: Second Friday in April
    (Dates subject to change. Contact Student Records for further information.)

    Note: You must be registered at ODU the semester of graduation. If you are not taking a course, you will need to register, and pay for GRAD 999 - 1 cr

  4. The Old Dominion University MS degree in Special Education is a state approved endorsement program. You must complete all requirements of the program including student teaching for licensure recommendation from ODU. If you are currently teaching in the special education area for which you wish endorsement, then it becomes your (the student's) responsibility to seek the alternative route to licensure through your school division. Final steps to licensure are the VDOE DA 035 form & transcript request.

The Special Education Department provides this information for the convenience of the student. It is not a substitute for the University Catalog and the student is still held responsible for all information contained in the catalog.