Special Education: Specialization for Initial Certification or Teachers Seeking Cross Endorsement, MS

Central to Assuring Student Progress.

A CCSU MS in Special Education: Specialization for Initial Certification or Teachers Seeking Cross Endorsement serves two audiences: uncertified educators wishing to pursue certification in Special Education, as well as certified teachers seeking a cross endorsement. Students develop the knowledge, skills, and professional disposition to effectively teach individuals with disabilities. Licensure/certification programs nationally accredited by the Council for Exceptional Children and meets the requirements of the Connecticut State Department of Education.

Program Features

  • Starts every January and August
  • Attend full- or part-time
  • Flexible scheduling: over 80% hybrid and/or accelerated formats, evening classes
  • Course-embedded assignments facilitate application and transfer of learning to the classroom
  • Course content aligned with edTPA; candidates receive guidance and support throughout their edTPA development
  • Extensive experience and support with Durational Shortage Area Permit (DSAP) process
  • Applied Capstone sequence providing opportunity to implement and assess evidence- based supports and focuses on data-based individualization typically taken during first year of teaching
  • Financial aid is available
  • No GMAT/GRE required

There is A LOT the program prepared me for. I learned a lot about behaviors, data collection, writing FBAs and BIPs, working as a team, writing IEP goals/objectives and working with a variety of disabilities. I highly recommend CCSU!

Alaina Haley

Did You Know?

CCSU’s program offers specially designed instruction (SDI) containing 3 methods courses that focus on special education methods in reading instruction, writing instruction, and content-area instruction.

What You'll Gain

  • Understanding of the foundational issues in special education and their impact on the field
  • Comprehension of the development and characteristics of learners, individual learning differences, and appropriate instructional strategies
  • Ability to analyze multiple forms of standardized and curriculum-based assessments and use the information for a variety of educational decisions
  • Skills to use the knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for students with exceptional learning needs
  • Understanding of how to select, adopt, and use evidence-based instructional strategies to enhance learning
  • Tools to promote professional, ethical, and collaborative practices in the field of special education
  • Ability to modify learning environments to meet student needs