Special Education, MAEd

Required core courses - 9-12 s.h.

Special education teaching area - 30 s.h.

• SPED 6010 - Issues, Trends, and Law in Special Education
• SPED 6011 - Integrating Technology into Special Education
• SPED 6012 - Assessment in Special Education
• SPED 6014 - Positive Behavior Intervention and Support
• SPED 6015 - Facilitating Systems Change Through Collaboration and Co-Teaching

Electronic portfolio requirement:

Demonstration of field-based master teaching, research, collaboration, and leadership skills developed throughout the SPED MAEd program

Final product requirement:

Completion of a thesis (SPED 7000) or a field-based project (SPED 7002); both require a presentation to faculty and students

The Master of Arts in Education

The master of arts in education (MAEd) degree is administratively located in the College of Education. MAEd programs range from a minimum of 36 to 39 semester hours, depending on the teaching area. All MAEd degree programs require completion of course work in the following competency areas: research, trends, and issues in education; the diverse learner; and, effective communication and leadership. The program is designed so that students and advisors have options in completing these competencies.

All MAEd programs require completion of a final product. Depending on the teaching area selected, the final product may be in the form of a comprehensive examination (written or oral), a thesis, a research project, or a portfolio. See the description of teaching area specific courses (below) for information about how the final product requirement is satisfied in each teaching area.

A student may seek acceptance into the College of Education and one of the teaching areas offered in the MAEd. Minimum requirements for admission to the College of Education’s MAEd program include the following:

1. All MAEd applicants (except those applying to the adult education MAEd program) must currently hold or be eligible for an initial teaching license. Entrance into an MAEd teaching area other than that of the initial licensure area may require prerequisite courses and a passing score on the area specialty PRAXIS exam for licensure.
2. Overall GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale on all undergraduate work from an institution accredited by a regional association.
3. Satisfactory entrance examination scores on either the Graduate Record Examination or the Miller Analogies Test. This must be completed prior to admission or completion of 9 s.h. of graduate credit.
4. A completed Graduate School application packet, including the written statement of purpose, a copy of the initial teaching license, and three letters of recommendation from persons who can attest to the applicant’s academic competence or ability to do graduate work.
5. This degree makes a student eligible for M level licensure. Candidate must already hold A level license to be eligible for M level license.

Upon acceptance into a teaching area, the student is assigned an advisor.

Admission to Candidacy

Admission to candidacy for the MAEd will be met when the following have been completed.

1. Unconditionally admitted to graduate standing.
2. Accepted to a program area and assigned an advisor.
3. Completion of 12 s.h. of graduate credit over and above any entrance deficiencies or conditions.
4. This degree makes a student eligible for M level licensure. Candidate must already hold A level license to be eligible for M level license.

Transfer Credit

Transfer of credit regulations which have been established by the Graduate School apply to this degree program. Transfer of credit is only accepted when it is fulfilling a deficiency or content area of knowledge.

Residence Requirements

The residence requirement for a nondoctoral degree program is met when a student has earned at least eighty percent of the required graduate degree credit for his or her program through enrollment in courses offered by East Carolina University.

Continuous Enrollment (or Registration)

Graduate students who have previously registered for all credits in a graduate degree program but who have not completed all requirements (e.g., thesis, professional paper, internship, etc.) must continue to register each semester (except summer terms) until all degree requirements are completed and filed with the registrar. Under special circumstance, exception to continuous registration may be approved by the dean of the Graduate School. Students must be registered for the semester of graduation (except summer if registered for preceding spring semester).

Other Requirements for the MAEd

General requirements for the completion of the master’s degrees are as follows:

1. 36-39 s.h. of course work, depending upon the teaching area.
2. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
3. Meeting specific teaching area requirements.
4. Completion of a culminating project.

Students who do not have at least a 3.0 GPA upon completion of the MAEd program may be allowed to submit up to 6 s.h. additional graduate credit hours in residence on the East Carolina University campus or at an approved graduate center in order to accumulate a 3.0 average. These credits will be in the area(s) evaluated as being weak.