Master of Education in Special Education (M.Ed)

Program Director

Dr. Kevin Peters

Nicarry Hall, Room 141

717-361-1296

Master of Education Website

Prior to joining Elizabethtown College, Dr. Peters worked as a middle school principal (7-8), elementary principal (K-6), special education instructional advisor (K-12), and emotional support teacher. He is the Co-Director of the New DEEL (Democratic Ethical Educational Leadership) Community Network. He also serves as a Coordinator of the New DEEL Mentoring Project and on the executive board of the Consortium for the Study of Leadership and Ethics in Education (CSLEE). He is passionate about mentoring and has worked with educational administrators and school teams throughout the United States. His research focus is using Multiple Ethical Paradigms and Turbulence Theory as decision-making frameworks and indirect trauma on building leaders and teachers. Dr. Peters has published articles and presented his work at several state, national, and international conferences. He also served on various state committees such as the Pennsylvania Governor’s Safety Task Force, the development of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth of Education Blueprint, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) study group, and the board of the Pennsylvania Principals Association.

Faculty: Cieslinski, Haley-Mize, Peters

Program Overview

The Master of Education in Special Education affords candidates a complex understanding of educational theory, an awareness and adherence to professional ethics, a commitment to professional development, and the ability to establish and maintain an equitable and purposeful learning environment for all students. Students will have a student teaching placement for 16 weeks and will complete a thesis project. Completion of this program leads to PA certification in Special Education (PK-12).

Student Learning Outcomes for Special Education

Students will be able to:

Plan, design, and implement research-based instructional and assessment practices in special education.
Develop and apply instructional methodologies, including the use of technology, appropriate for a special education classroom.
Critically apply, adapt, and differentiate content knowledge and skills to facilitate inclusive student learning.
Create, organize, and maintain an effective and safe classroom environment for all learners.
Design and implement successful interventions responsive to the needs of all students.
Exhibit the qualities that characterize a professional individual, including professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities of a certified teacher in special education.
Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to continued professional development and service to the discipline.

Requirements for Acceptance:

Complete requirements in general education certification (see applicable undergraduate degree planners).
Receive a B or above in SED 212/MSE 512 (Learning Environment and Social Interaction in Inclusive Settings) and SED 222/MSE 522 (Foundations of Inclusive Education).
Maintain a 3.3 cumulative GPA or above.
Receive satisfactory ratings on the Teacher Dispositions document.
Provide two letters of recommendation in support of your academic and professional abilities for success in the program.

Application Deadlines:

Applications into the MSE 4+1 program are accepted during the spring semester of the junior year.
- Submit application form.
- Submit two recommendation forms or two letters of recommendation in support of your academic and professional abilities for success in the program.

Course Requirements:

MSE 512 - Learning Environment and Social Interaction in Inclusive Settings (SED 212) 4.00 credits.
MSE 522 - Foundations of Inclusive Education (SED 222) 4.00 credits.
MSE 524 - Methods of Teaching Students with High Incidence Disabilities (SED 224) 4.00 credits.
MSE 530 - Methods of Teaching Students with Low Incidence Disabilities (SED 230) 4.00 credits.
MSE 533 - Assessment in Special and Inclusive Education (SED 333) 4.00 credits.
MSE 540 - Etiology, Equity, and Law 4.00 credits.
MSE 542 - Effective Instruction for Students with ASD and/or EBD (SED 342) 4.00 credits.
MSE 544 - Intensive Reading, Writing, and Mathematics Intervention (SED 344) 4.00 credits.
MSE 565 - Issues in Special Education 4.00 credits.
MSE 570 - Graduate Student Teaching 12.00 credits.
MSE 590 - Graduate Research Seminar 4.00 credits.