Special Education Graduate Degree Mild Disabilities Program:
Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, Learning Disabilities, and Mental Retardation Endorsement Areas
The mild disabilities program, which provides endorsements in two of the following three areas, emotional/behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, and mental retardation, is designed to prepare professionals who are able to design and implement appropriate educational programs for students who manifest these disabilities. The program combines course work, supervised practica and student teaching to facilitate the integration of theory and practice in the development of innovative interventions applicable for individuals with special needs from kindergarten through adult in both public and private facilities. Program competencies prepare students to work in school-based programs, clinics, hospitals, and agency settings. This is the only program available to Teletechnet students. Please refer to our program checklist for a detailed list of courses required.
The special education masters program prepares teachers and agency personnel to design and implement programs for individuals with disabilities in a variety of settings.
This masters degree program, with endorsement, can be completed in approximately two years during which the enrolled students will specify either a combination of emotional/behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, and mental retardation, or early childhood special education and/or severe disabilities.
The special education graduate program is committed to a philosophy of serving as a catalyst to promote awareness, understanding, and acceptance of individuals with disabilities. The course work focuses on the improvement of the quality and scope of educational and related services available to individuals with disabilities from infancy to adulthood. The graduate programs in special education, in addition to meeting the Master of Science in Education degree requirements, satisfy Virginia state teacher endorsement in emotional/behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, mental retardation, early childhood special education, and severe disabilities.
Graduates are prepared to work effectively with children, adolescents, and adults who require special educational services. Classroom instruction is supplemented by field experiences with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings. Student interns have been placed in childrens hospitals, special education classes in public and private facilities, and residential psychiatric hospitals, mental health centers, and community agencies. Graduates in special education serve as key members of child study teams and are prepared to address educational, emotional, and physical disabilities. They also find employment as educational therapists, psycho-educational diagnosticians, and special education teachers and staff members in public and private schools.