Department of Exceptional Student Education

Helen Kottle Memorial Building

Office #223

P: 386-481-2303

Program Overview

The Master of Education in Exceptional Student Education Program (M.Ed. ESE) is a 33 credit-hour, Professional Graduate Program, designed to enhance professional practice and develop specialization in the field of Exceptional Student Education (ESE). The program is delivered fully online. The M.Ed. ESE program is considered an advanced-level program defined by CAEP as “educator preparation programs at the post-baccalaureate or graduate levels leading to licensure, certification, or endorsement”. The specialization tracks in this program reflect the State of Florida’s endorsement courses in Pre-K Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The M.Ed. ESE program is a non-certifying program. Individuals seeking a professional teaching license must see the Florida Department of Education requirements. Licensed teachers who are applying for state endorsement in their selected area of specialization should submit transcripts and required fees and documentation for review by certification departments to the Florida Department of Education upon completion of the specialization courses.

M.Ed. ESE graduate students are required to submit a Livetext electronic Portfolio and pass a master’s comprehensive essay before graduation. There is no thesis requirement. Not all courses are offered every semester.

Admissions Requirements

The M.Ed. ESE program is designed for professionals who have a background in education or working with individuals with disabilities. Applicants should submit all transcripts including those that reflect courses toward an advanced degree.

In addition to any University-wide admission requirements, The M. Ed. ESE program requires the following:

Required

A bachelor’s degree in any area.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a four-point scale (provisional admissions with GPA lower than 3.0).
Two professional letters of recommendation
Resume
Essay reflecting qualifications for the program ( examples may include references to Professional teaching license or Temporary Certificate and teaching experience) and selected track (ASD or Pre-K Disability)

Preferred

A bachelor’s degree in education from an NCATE or CAEP accredited program coupled with a State teaching certificate
Teaching or educational experience

Program Description

Degree Seeking Students

The M.Ed. ESE program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours. Courses are offered in the Fall and Spring semesters. The core courses total 21 of the 33 credit hours with the remaining hours are reflected in tracks for either Pre-K Disabilities or ASD. Core courses and specialization courses should be taken in the same semester.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

A non-degree seeking student is a student who desires to enroll in classes at Bethune-Cookman University and does not intend to earn a degree from Bethune-Cookman University. Candidates who are interested in taking the specialization courses in either Pre-K Disabilities or ASD and/or applying for an endorsement with the state may enroll as a non-degree seeking student. The admissions process is the same for non-degree seeking students as degree seeking students.

Applicants must indicate that they are “non-degree seeking” and declare their specialization track during the admissions process. Additional information about non-degree seeking students in located in the Graduate Catalog.

Educational Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes:

The M.Ed. ESE PSLOs focus on essential skills and competencies required to work with students with disabilities and their families in a global digital community. In addition, graduates will acquire knowledge, skills and competencies outlined in the University Drivers, and Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs). The Program Student Learning Outcomes fully support the University Mission and Core Values as stated in the Strategic Plan, and the College of Education.

PSLO 1 (Dispositions)

M.Ed. ESE majors will demonstrate mastery of the dispositions consistent with the M.Ed. ESE program description and mission as measured by a basic or higher rubric rating on key artifacts and reflections and comprehensive essay responses utilizing e-portfolio rubrics and comprehensive essay rubrics.

PSLO 2 (Technology Integration)

M.Ed. ESE majors will demonstrate mastery of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards by a basic or higher rubric rating on key artifacts and reflections and comprehensive essay responses utilizing an e-portfolio rubric and comprehensive essay rubric.

PSLO 3 (Pedagogy -FEAPs)

M.Ed. ESE majors will demonstrate mastery of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs) as measured by a basic or higher rubric rating on key artifacts and reflections and comprehensive essay responses aligned to the FEAPS utilizing an e-portfolio rubric and comprehensive essay rubric.

PSLO 4 (Subject Area Competencies and Skills)

M.Ed. ESE majors will demonstrate mastery of Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Specialist Advanced Preparation Standards as measured by a basic or higher on the key artifacts and reflections and comprehensive essay responses aligned to the CEC standards utilizing an e-portfolio rubric and comprehensive essay rubric.

Career Paths

Graduates from the M.Ed. ESE program will have the potential to pursue a variety of career paths upon completion of the program. Graduates choosing either the Pre-K Disability or Autism Spectrum Disorders path will have the credentials to contribute to the profession of education in a variety of settings. They will be qualified to work in the public-school system as well as private non-profit disability organizations, for-profit organizations, research institutes or institutes of higher education. Aside from teaching, graduates would have the credentials to pursue careers at the leadership level both in Florida and across the nation. Several grant funded projects require a master’s degree to serve as project director.