Degrees for Education

Master of Arts in Education: Special Education (cross-categorical)
Admission requirements

The minimum requirement for admission is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited, degree-granting institution of higher education. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required for unrestricted admission. Others may be admitted on probationary status pending demonstration of ability to perform work at the graduate level. Please refer to the admission requirements listed in the graduate program information section in the course catalog for additional information.
Degree requirements

Participants must successfully complete 32 semester hours of graduate credit. Four core courses totaling
11 hours are required for all Masters of Arts in Education candidates:
• EDU541 Frameworks for Learning (3 hours)
• EDU542 The Teacher as Leader (3 hours)
• EDU585 Research Methods in Education (3 hours)
• EDU544 Action Research (2 hours)
In addition to the 11 hours of core courses required, a minimum of 21 additional hours must be completed in a major concentration and elective courses. Prospective students should also review the general information on graduate programs in the education/special education section in the course catalog.
Specific concentration requirements

Minimum of 12 hours selected from the list below:
• EDU 500 Behavior Management Techniques (3 hours)
• EDU 504/504 (Block)*
Introduction to Cross-Categorical Disabilities (2 hours)
Methods of Teaching Students with Cross-Categorical Disabilities (2 hours)
Or
• EDU 528 Differentiated Instruction (3 hours)*
* = Required
• EDU 520 Transition/Career Education for Students with Disabilities (2 hours)
• EDU 530 Understanding the Diverse Learner (3 hours)
• EDU 535 Technology Integration for Students with Special Needs (3 hours)
• EDU 566 Language and Literacy for Students at Risk (3 hours)
• EDU 586 Seminar in Disability Studies (3 hours)
• EDU 587 Directed Readings in Education and Disability (1-3 hours)
• EDU 592 Assessment of Ability and Achievement (3 hours)
• EDU 595 Counseling Techniques (3 hours)
• EDU 596 Counseling and Collaboration with Diverse Populations (3 hours)
Core Courses: 11 hours
Specialty Courses: 12 hours
Electives: 9 hours
Program Total: 32 hours
How to apply

To begin your Fontbonne education, please submit:
• A completed application for graduate admission.
• A non-refundable $25 application fee.
• Official transcripts from every college and university you have attended. (If you are
currently attending college, include your most recently completed semester grades.)
• Three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a supervisor or recent
academic advisor
• A self-statement essay.

Send your application to:
Fontbonne University
Attn: MAED Program Director, Department of Education
6800 Wydown Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63105
For questions, contact: 314-889-4536

The B.S. in Adolescence Education (grades 7-12) has concentrations in English, Mathematics, Physical Science, Social Studies, and Spanish. Completion of an undergraduate program in the School of Education, or a minor in Adolescence Education through St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences entitles a student to be eligible to receive initial New York State Certification. Students who earn this degree are qualified to teach in middle school and high school settings.

The program will prepare graduates to:

Demonstrate knowledge of content and pedagogy of academic instruction in adolescent education.
Demonstrate knowledge of theories pertaining to adolescents and learning.
Identify theories and models for teaching students with exceptionalities, diverse learners and students at risk and their application in academic instruction.
Use the principles of scientifically based research to obtain valid knowledge about instruction and assessment in the middle and high school grades.
Use the findings of scientifically based research and best practices in the field and demonstrate the effect of these changes on content and pedagogy

Demonstrate knowledge of students.
Describe characteristics of the age group that may include but need not be limited to ethnicity, race, religion and gender and how they affect pedagogy
Demonstrate knowledge of the expected skills and knowledge base of students in your discipline

Demonstrate the ability to effectively utilize a wide range of instructional practices, approaches, methods and materials to support middle school and high school instruction in the classroom, including those from each specific discipline’s guiding professional body.
Describe types of instructional practices, approaches and methods used to teach content.
Apply instructional practices in practicum settings.
Compare and contrast effectiveness of a variety of teaching techniques.
Demonstrate how research findings of professional organizations can be used to strengthen and update professional practice.

Formulate a plan of instruction to teach and/or provide differential instruction of a given content as prescribed in the state standards for middle school and/or high school learning.
Prepare instructional plans appropriate to meet the needs of all students, including those from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and with learning difficulties.
Describe a learning environment that fosters academic achievement by assessing the level of prior knowledge, and using available materials, resources and/or technology.
Demonstrate the use of technology as it applies to the specific content area.
Explain differences in technological hardware and software relevant in the field.

Formulate a plan of instruction plan that demonstrates the Vincentian value of service to the field of education as it applies to the content area.
Describe various ways in which service opportunities can be applied in your content area.
Demonstrate understanding of the Vincentian value of service by completing a service-learning project and/or participating in a community related charitable scenario.