Silver Lake College
Graduate Program Options, Special Education

The Silver Lake College Graduate Special Education Program is designed to meet the needs of degree seeking candidates, teachers who need licensure in special education and teachers who are continuing in their professional growth. The Masters of Arts in Special Education provides a 33 credit course of study which expands on the foundation of an undergraduate course of study.  The non degree option is a professional growth course of study which provides  teachers a means to meet their professional goals.   A licensure sequence in an area of special education is available with both program options. 

        Degree Options:

Master of Arts in Special Education with licensure in Cognitive Disabilities, Emotional Behavioral Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, and Visual Impairment

Master of Arts in Special Education without licensure
 

Non-Degree Options:

Non-degree with licensure in Cognitive Disabilities, Emotional Behavioral Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, and Visual Impairment

Non-degree without licensure 

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The Master of Arts in Special Education Degree Overview

The Silver Lake College Master of Arts in Special Education is designed for special education educators who wish to remain in the classroom while developing the knowledge and skills which will allow them to take a more active professional leadership role.  The underlying premise is that special educators must be on the front line of creating the vision for the future that will lead to significant and lasting school reform. This program is based on the assumption that significant school improvement can only be accomplished if there is informed and effective leadership at all levels within the educational setting.
 

Program Goal:

To prepare special educators for the demonstration of:

• Scholarship and leadership

• Commitment to others

• Reflective practice

to meet the diverse needs of exception students in the twenty first century
 

Curriculum Design:

The curriculum is designed to prepare special educators for effective leadership into the 21st century, specifically to demonstrate expanded mastery of the knowledge, skills and dispositions in:

• assessment, programming, pedagogy/teaching practice and management competencies

• critical thinking and research competencies ,

• oral and written communication

• professionalism and human relations: home school, and community relations; communication and collaboration competencies, self assessment and reflection, and commitment to Christian values, service and leadership

Competency Based

The Master Degree in Special Education Program is competency based and provides an individualized program design for each candidate. The required courses for all candidates address the competencies needed by a teacher leader.  These competencies represent the Council of Exception Children Ethical Codes, the INTASC principles, The National Professional Teaching Standards, and the Wisconsin Educator Standards.  

The licensure sequences provide courses for expanded knowledge and skills and/or licensure in Cognitive Disabilities, Early Childhood Special Education, Emotional Behavioral Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, or Visual Impairment. Additional coursework may be needed over the required 33 graduate credits for the Master Degree, to meet the Wisconsin licensure requirements in special education.

Who may Apply:

Application must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a four-point scale; or Silver Lake College students who have reached senior status. 

How to Apply:

• Complete the Silver Lake College Application for Admission

• Complete the Graduate Special Education Program Application

• Obtain letters of recommendation from three professional educator

• Complete a written essay which addresses a current topic in special education

• Provide a photocopy of a current teaching license if applicable

Program Acceptance Interviews

• Interviews for Acceptance into the Master of Arts in Special Education are scheduled:
  Mid August for fall acceptance,
  Beginning December for spring acceptance, and
  Mid February for summer acceptance,

• Students will be contacted for appointments after submission of the following application requirements:
  -  Official application to Silver Lake College
  -  Graduate  Special Education Program Application
  -  Official transcripts of undergraduate/graduate courses from any college/university other than Silver Lake College
  -  Current teaching license, if applicable
  -  Three letters of recommendation from educational professionals
  -  Writing sample
  -  Admission fee

Program Completion
To qualify for graduation candidates must:

• Complete 33 graduate credits.

• Maintain a "B" average (3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale).

• Obtain faculty approval of completed thesis or classroom action research project

• Demonstrate mastery level in Graduate Special Education competencies
   

Master of Arts Degree in Special Education Program Options

Master of Arts in Special Education with Licensure

For baccalaureate degreed teachers who wish a Master Degree in Special Education with the licensure area of cross-categorical or categorical areas in Cognitive Disabilities, Early Childhood Special Education, Emotional Behavioral Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, or Visual Impairment:

The Master Degree program requires a minimum of 33 graduate credits.

The curriculum consists of a core of four 3 credit courses, a project/thesis research course sequence (minimum of three credits) and courses in cross-categorical or a categorical area to meet the required 33 credits.

Teachers in the special education categorical area may apply up to 18 graduate level credits from their licensure program to the required 33 graduate credits for the degree.      

Master Degree of Arts in Special Education with licensure, minimum of 33 Credits
Master Degree Core       15 credits       Four required 3 credit core courses and a Project/thesis sequence with a minimum of 3 credits	Licensure Area     For licensed teachers, 18 graduate credits from a Special Education licensure sequence
For those who do not hold a current Wisconsin special education license, licensure may require additional credits to meet the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Licensure requirements

Master Degree in Special Education without Licensure 

Master Degree of Arts in Special Education without  licensure, 33 Credits
Master Degree Core       15 credits       Four required core courses and Three project/thesis credits	Concentration Area     18 graduate credits from a Special Education licensure sequence (prerequisites required) or a related area for professional growth

This option follows the same program components with the exception of the licensure requirements.  The 18 graduate credits may be taken in a licensure program (prerequisites required) but students will not be required to follow the requirements for a Wisconsin license in that area and students will not be eligible for a Wisconsin license.  Student may also choose an 18 credit area of concentration which will be determine through a program design plan.  The area of concentration may be chosen by the student. A program plan must be developed by the student and submitted to the student advisor for approval.

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Non Degree Program Options

      Non degree with Licensure in Cognitive Disabilities, Emotional Behavioral Disabilities,
      Learning Disabilities, and Visual Impairment.

Degreed students may acquire licensure in Special Education without entering the Master Degree Program.  Students must meet all performance standards required by the State for licensure.  Courses may be taken at the undergraduate or graduate level. The program is individually designed for each student and a portfolio process is available for the demonstration of prior knowledge and skills. Distance Learning coursework is available at the graduate level for teachers who wish to add a second license. 

See Licensure Program for details on the licensure program for Cognitive Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, and Emotional Behavioral Disabilities

See the Visual Impairment web site for details on the program for licensure in Visual Impairment

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 Non Degree without license

Courses are available for licensed teachers who wish to remain current in the field. Licensure modules via the web and selected undergraduate and graduate level courses are available evenings and on weekends.  The Special Education Department course schedule indicates current offerings.   LINK - Course Schedule

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Special Education Home Page

Special Education Licensure Program