The Special Education MEd program with teacher certification is approved by the 浪花直播 State Department of Education (MSDE) and provides the following:
Special Education Certification: Mild to Moderate Disabilities Certification (Grades 1-8) and Severe Disability Certification (Birth-22)
Certification Overview: What is Initial Certification?
The two-year course of study prepares teachers to assume the increasingly complex and sophisticated responsibilities of a teacher of students with and without disabilities. To ensure preparation for diverse classroom settings and needs, faculty embed self-reflection, advocacy, critical consciousness, and cultural competence throughout the program of study. Teacher candidates will be prepared to teach students with support students at-risk, students in need of intervention, and students with mild to severe disabilities, across disability categories. Distinctive programmatic features include:
- Focus on Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Behaviors Disorders, Physical Disabilities, Intellectual Disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Developmental Delays, and Physical and Other Health Impairments.
- Focus on collaboration with related service providers and general educators
- Rigorous and relevant coursework to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for successful teaching careers in special education
- Focus on evidence based instructional practices and decision making
- Year Long Internship (Field Experience) in inclusive, diverse classrooms
Admission Requirements
Complete the online .
- A grade point average of 3.0 or better (based on a 4.0 system) from an accredited undergraduate institution;
- A grade point average of 3.5 or better in any previous graduate work from an accredited institution;
- All students applying to MEd degree or AGS program must take and pass the Basic Skills examination and meet the State of 浪花直播 passing criteria. Information about the praxis can be found at
- Three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals with direct knowledge of the applicant's academic capabilities, work experience, and professional characteristics;
- A statement of career goals including:
- relevant background information, professional experiences, certification status;
- if not certified, whether you wish to be certified in special education;
- intended area of study if seeking the Master鈥檚 Specialty Program (e.g., Learning Disabilities, Behavior Disorders, Early Childhood, Severe Disabilities; Transition); and
- other information the candidate feels is pertinent to the decision of the admissions committee; and
- Evidence of writing skills via the statement of career goals and educational interests
- Students applying for teacher certification will be contacted for an in-person or phone interview
- For international applicants, minimum TOEFL scores of 100 are required.
For more information visit the webpage. Select an area of interest from the various offerings in the College of Education to determine the admission requirements and deadlines. If you are unsure of your area of interest you may request information by emailing program coordinators (Check Program Contact section).
MEd/Certification Deadlines:
*Fall Domestic: March 5
Admission Procedures
- Review the EDSP admission requirements for MA, MEd, and AGS graduate students in the Special Education Master's Degree Programs Handbook
- Contact faculty members associated with concentration area if you have specific questions or wish to discuss an area in more detail
- Complete (Please select ALL Areas of Interests to ensure your application will be directed to the appropriate program for review). In your goal statement, specify your research interests and professional goals. You may request a specific faculty advisor if appropriate.
- All application materials must be received before the Special Education Program's Graduate Admission Committee Reviews the applicant's materials.
- The Graduate Admission Committee recommends admit or reject. The final decision is made by the graduate school. Provisional acceptance may be recommended for a limited number of applicants.
Please refer to the for instructions on how to apply for graduate admission. If you have questions or concerns, we ask you to first review our list of . For questions about the application process, or to check on the completion of your application please contact:
Judy Foster, Coordinator of Graduate Admissions
Office of Student Services, College of Education
(301) 405-2359
After you apply for graduate admission you may check your application status by logging into the using your user name and password. Graduate faculty in the Academic Department you applied to will review your completed application for graduate admission. Questions regarding application reviews and decision recommendations should be directed to Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education (CHSE). Please contact:
Carol Scott, Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education
(301) 405-8384
Please contact Dr. Seyma Intepe Tingir sintepe@umd.edu, or (301) 405-8298.
Visit the College of Education Scholarship opportunities webpage.
Visit the web page for additional funding opportunities
For information about other student financial aid, review the .
Dr. Seyma Intepe Tingir, Program Director (sintepe@umd.edu)
Julianna Kim, Graduate Assistant (jkim1219@umd.edu)
Carol Scott, Coordinator (cscott18@umd.edu)