Ed.M. in Special Education with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certification

    Program Overview

    The Ed.M. in Special Education with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certification program prepares certified educators to become teachers of students with disabilities within an elementary or secondary school setting. Through coursework and field experiences, students in the program learn to address the instructional needs of students with mild and moderate disabilities. The 21-credit special education core is required of all students. These core courses develop competencies in the assessment and remediation of students with learning disabilities, teach collaborative teaching and consultation skills, and integrate principles of New Jersey special education law. Additional required coursework will also provide a foundational understanding of psychometric theory and statistical methods. 

    A New Jersey standard instructional certificate or a Certificate of eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) in a subject area other than English as a Second Language is required for admission into this program. After the required coursework is completed and the master’s degree is awarded, the GSE will make a recommendation to the New Jersey State Department of Education on behalf of the graduate to be a teacher of students with disabilities. Students not interested in pursuing a master’s degree but interested in obtaining the Teaching Students with Disabilities endorsement should apply for admission into the 21-credit non-degree program


    The following programmatic offerings are also available for students seeking an Ed.M. in Special Education:

    For more information about this program:

    Program Details

    Application Deadline

    Feb 1 / Oct 15 / May 15 *Late applications will be considered.

    Entry Term(s)

    Fall / Spring / Summer

    Program Level

    Masters

    Program Type

    Degree + Certification

    Format

    Hybrid

    Credits

    36

  • What You’ll Learn

    Students enrolled in the Ed.M. in Special Education with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certification program will learn the foundational principles of special education, how to identify and assess student learning disabilities, and to execute a plan to address and meet the instructional needs of students with mild and moderate cognitive disabilities. Required coursework from the departments of Educational Statistics, Measurement, and Evaluation and Learning, Cognition, and Development will also equip graduates of the program with knowledge and skills in psychometric theory and statistical methods. Elective course requirements allow for exploration into the biological bases of behavior and or the psychology of learning.

    For more information about the courses in this program, please visit the course catalog and online schedule of classes.

  • Program Requirements

    This program typically takes 2 years to complete and includes:

    • 36 Graduate Course Credits
      • 21 Credits – Special Education Core Courses
      •   6 Credits – Special Education Core Elective Courses
      •   6 Credits – Education, Statistics, Measurement, & Evaluation Courses
      •   3 Credits – Learning, Cognition, & Development Elective Course
    • Portfolio
      • Students will archive artifacts from various GSE courses via an online instructional and evaluation system as directed by faculty

    Accepted students have 5 years to complete the program.

  • Careers and Outcomes

    Graduates of this program are prepared for employment as teachers of students with disabilities in public, private, and charter schools. Within this role, they may act as educational specialists, coaches, consultants, curriculum developers, and or diagnosticians, and work to develop appropriate learning environments to meet the needs of each student they serve. They may also ultimately advance into leadership roles given their advanced credentials.

  • Admissions Requirements
    • Personal Statement 
    • 3 Letters of Recommendation
    • Official Undergraduate Transcripts
    • Official Graduate Transcripts (if applicable)
    • Photocopy of a New Jersey Standard Instructional Certificate or a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) showing certification other than English as a Second Language
  • How to Apply
    1. Collect the materials required for admission
    2. Submit your application online at http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/
    3. Submit supporting materials online
    4. Any supporting materials that cannot be submitted electronically should be mailed to Graduate Admissions’ New Brunswick office. Their mailing address can be found here: https://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/about/contact-us
  • Tuition & Financial Assistance

    Tuition

    For tuition and fees information please visit the tuition landing page.

    Financial Aid:

    While students are encouraged to apply for federal student aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), there are a number of other merit- and need-based support options, including loans and college work-study programs within and external to Rutgers. For more information, please visit the Office of Financial Aid website.

    Scholarships, Fellowships & Assistantships:

    Generous GSE alumni, friends, and community members have established and continue to donate to more than one dozen fellowships and scholarships to help deserving students reach their goals. These awards are granted on the basis of academic achievement and or financial need. While these awards are competitive, interested students are encouraged to apply for consideration and submit the required materials. Students must also submit a FAFSA application to be eligible.  

    To review all current awards and learn more about the donors that established them, please click here.

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