West Chester University Masters Degrees in Special Needs Education

In 2005, several faculty members of West Chester University of PA met to discuss the need for and probability of offering a certificate in autism studies. Since that first meeting, faculty members from the departments of Early Childhood & Special Education, Communicative Disorders, Psychology, and Kinesiology have collaborated in the development of an interdisciplinary, empirically-based certificate in autism studies. The university is now proud to offer the Certificate of Specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders. This Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program is geared towards community members who currently work with, or will work with, individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The 18-credit certificate provides students with the skill sets necessary to build and work within an interdisciplinary approach to effective and empirically-based treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Students learn strategies for implementing the interdisciplinary approach, as well as methods to assess the effectiveness of the approach, i.e. the effect of education/treatment on the person's quality of life. The program is be provided from the view point of several disciplines including psychology, special education, communicative disorders, and kinesiology.

Overview

The mission of this program is to provide professionals, parents, and other members of the community access to empirically validated educational approaches for teaching persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), strategies for implementing these approaches, as well as methods to assess the effectiveness of these approaches, i.e. the effect of education/treatment on the person's quality of life.

The autism certificate program is based on the following assumptions:

-People with ASD and their families have a wide range of disability-specific strengths and needs
-Assessment and intervention must be based on evidence-based practices
-Professionals who specialize in the treatment of individuals with ASD must understand the ASD profile, its history, and the challenges faced by families of individuals with ASD
-Professional who support individuals with ASD must collaborate with each other
-Specialization in autism requires course work, guided observation, and supervised clinical practicum

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West Chester University's Special Education Department offers a fully online program leading to the Master of Education in Special Education. The program is open to anyone with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited 4 year degree granting institution with a final GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Overview

The prime mission of the master of education program in Special Education is to prepare teachers advanced-level teachers who can synthesize and apply self-awareness and general knowledge of:
-Foundations of the study of disability,
-The learner with disabilities,
-Appropriate content for the learner with disabilities, and
-Effective classroom pedagogy.

We believe this synthesis encourages reflection on the art of teaching and results in a professional who is able to make sound, ethical educational decisions regarding curriculum and instructional strategies for students with disabilities. In addition, high standards of scholarship and the application of research, as well as professionalism, collaboration, and knowledge of current trends in the field, are essential for all teachers of special education.

Highlights

-West Chester University's long standing quality and expertise in the field of special education
-Interdisciplinary program includes Special Education, Secondary and Professional Education, and Communicative Disorders
-National Accreditation
-Courses may be applied to PA teaching certification
-Cohort model designed to increase student-to-student collaboration and provide social support for online learners
-Action research enables students to apply what they have learned to a current research problem in the field

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The Post-Baccalaureate certification in Special Education is open to any student with a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an expressed interest in working with children with disabilities.

See the website for further details: https://wcupa.edu/education-socialWork/specialEducation/postBacCertification.aspx

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