M.Ed. in Special Education with Certification

Lehigh Special Education program offers master's degree programs, with courses sequenced to allow busy, full-time professionals and the full-time student to complete their degree in two years.

• Does NOT require a bachelor's degree in education or special education.
• Graduates are qualified for special education certification in Pennsylvania (Mentally and Physically Handicapped).
• Students may opt to work in field-based programs to gain experience while completing degree (see Masters Grant Support).
• Foundations of Education or equivalent course is a prerequisite for certification.
• International students who are not interested in certification may petition to complete the 36 credit program without an internship and certification. Pennsylvania certification requires US citizenship.

All students receiving initial certification by the Pennsylvania Department of Education must have had

• 6 credits of undergraduate college level Math
• 3 credits of English Composition
• 3 credits of English/American Literature (or equivalents)

Students credentials are examined at admission and those who do not meet these requirements will be notified. Any deficiencies must be remediated before they can be recommended for certification.

Students who received Advance Placement credit as undergraduates or achieved specific scores on the SAT-2 examinations in

• Mathematics
• Writing
• Literature

can be exempt from some of these requirements. For more information, contact the Program Coordinator.

All students must successfully pass the PRAXIS examinations in both the Pre-Professional Skills Test (Reading, Writing, Listening, Mathematics) as well as in their area of certification (Special Education).

Our program requires the completion of 36 credits and is designed for the individuals who want to pursue certification in special education at the masters level. In addition, students must complete their program with no less than a 3.00 cumulative graduate GPA.

MASTERS GRANT SUPPORT
There are various types of funding opportunities available for masters students. You can review these by clicking here.

COURSEWORK
This 36 credit master's degree program has the following prerequisites:

• Foundations of Education or equivalent course; College level mathematics (6 semester hour credits or the equivalent) and college level English composition and literature (6 semester hour credits or the equivalent).

To be certified in Special Education, students must complete the following:

• 15 hours each of teaching experience with individuals with mental retardation, learning disabilities, emotional disorders, and physical disabilities
• Three half-day observations in public school sites (e.g., learning support and life skills classrooms)

Click here to view courses.