Oct 10, 2024  
2008-2009 Graduate Catalog 
    
2008-2009 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Special Education (M.S.)


Kansas State University prepares special education teachers at the graduate level in a cross categorical program with two areas of specialization: adaptive special education and functional special education. These programs have been approved for special education endorsement by the Kansas State Department of Education. 

Students pursuing a master’s degree in special education are required to complete requirements for full endorsement in at least one area of specialization.  However, when feasible, it is advisable to plan programs leading to endorsement in more than one specialization area. A minimum of 30 hours of academic credit comprising an appropriate program of study must be approved early in the student’s program by the student’s graduate committee and the Graduate School. The minimum requirements presented on the following pages are helpful guidelines but students must consult their assigned advisors to plan an appropriate program of study.

Click here to view the Special Education, Counseling, and Student Affairs graduate program page.

Certification


Kansas Certification Requirements


Each area of specialization has a separate course sequence designed by the College of Education;
these have been approved by the Kansas State Board of Education (KSBE) and the National
Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The special education
endorsement can be granted to a person who holds a valid Kansas teaching certificate.

Special education endorsement can be met without completion of the master’s degree. However,
most students choose to complete the master’s degree while working toward endorsement.
Completing the master’s degree is recommended by the special education faculty. Students who
intend to complete a master’s degree should apply for admission to the master’s program before
completing nine hours of graduate coursework.

Full Certification


Full endorsement is granted to the applicant by the State Department of Education upon completion of the required sequence of courses.

Provisional Certification


Provisional endorsement is possible in the adaptive area.

For provisional endorsement, a candidate must complete a specified sequence of courses, including a practicum. Provisional endorsement is for a two (2) year period, and may be renewed for an additional two year period; at the time of renewal, the candidate must have completed 50% of the courses remaining for full endorsement The entire sequence of courses for full endorsement must be completed within four years.

Practicum and Provisional Certification


  1. You must be admitted to the M.S. Program in Special Education prior to the semester you request your first practicum, even if you are not seeking the M.S. degree.
  2. You must contact the professor in charge of practicum during the semester prior to the semester you are requesting practicum.
  3. If you are considering provisional endorsement, EDSP 710 and either 742 or 743 must be taken prior to or concurrently with your first practicum.
  4. Your first practicum cannot be completed in your classroom.
  5. You must complete EDSP 830 before registering for a second practicum. (EDCEP 715 is a prerequisite for EDSP 830)
  6. If you are completing a second practicum in your classroom, you will need to complete some experiences in programs outside of your own. These will be determined on an individual basis.
  7. The goal of two practica is to give you experiences with students with disabilities in different service delivery models. You and your practica supervisors will make sure you experience each of these different placements between both practica.
  8. You will be required to maintain a comprehensive portfolio that provides evidence of September 2007 6 your competence in meeting the requirements of both practica.

Certification Policies as Kansas State University


  • At least half of the credits required for special education endorsement must be earned at Kansas State University, including at least one major area course and one practicum, before the College of Education may recommend for special education endorsement.
  • Teachers are endorsed in special education at the level at which they hold regular teaching certificates. Individuals who hold K-12 certificates in content areas such as music, art, or physical education will need to make up deficiencies in elementary education if they wish to be certified K-12 in special education. Teachers fully certified at the elementary level in special education may add secondary-level certification by completing the secondary-level sequence, including a practicum at that level. Secondary-level teachers must make up deficiencies in elementary education before taking special education courses to add that level.
  • Teachers are responsible for initiating their own endorsement.
  • Provisional endorsement is not granted until the applicant is employed in a special education position.
  • If at all possible, one should apply for endorsement renewal at the end of the spring semester. However, if coursework is not completed by then, the application may be made near the end of the summer session.

Limitations


Special Education endorsement is limited to the level of the basic certification. Individuals certified K-12 in subject areas such as art, physical education or music must complete additional courses in elementary education if they wish to receive elementary level special education endorsement. To be recommended for endorsement, the student must have a 3.0 GPA overall in graduate work and must not receive a grade lower than a B in the 12 hours of core courses (EDSP 710, EDSP 742, EDSP 743, AND EDSP 795). The above program is subject to change depending on actions taken by the Kansas State Board of Education.

Program Requirements


Adaptive Disabilities: Elementary or Seconday


Prerequisites


Eligible for certification in elementary or secondary education, and one of the following courses:

  • EDSP 323 - Exceptional Student in the Secondary School (2)
  • EDSP 324 - Exceptional Child in the Regular Classroom (2)

Electives


Functional Special Education: Elementary or Secondary


All courses required for Adaptive endorsement and: