BS/MS in Special Education
About
Students may pursue a rigorous course of study that leads to a BS degree in early and primary teacher education or secondary education/English upon completion of four years of undergraduate work and an MS degree in special education upon completion of the fifth year of graduate work.
I know for a fact that I would not be where I currently am if I had chosen a different school to attend. The University of Scranton’s Special Education Program truly allowed me to grow into the educator I am today.
Monica Vaidya
B.S. Early Childhood and Elementary, class 2016/M.S. Special Education, Class 2017
Why a BS/MS in Special Education is in Demand
- “Regardless of temporary economic conditions, hiring practices, budget cuts or any other factors that impact the education system, the need for teachers is timeless and universal. Society will always need educators, and in that respect, teaching is one career in which you can be confident you will always have a purpose." ‑Teach.com
- "Overall employment of special education teachers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for special education services and teachers should rise as disabilities are being identified earlier and as children with disabilities are enrolled into special education programs." - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Is it for me?
Are You:
- Determined and hard working?
- Interested in working with children?
- Compassionate in working with students of diverse abilities and backgrounds?
Five Reasons to Choose Scranton for BS/MS in Special Education
Preparing You For Personal & Professional Successplus or minus
The program will prepare you:
- For instructional certification in early and primary education and special education, grades PreK-8, or secondary education/English and special education, grades 7-12
- To provide differentiated instruction to students in the 21st century diverse classroom
- To be skillful in evidence-based practices in order to work with students of various ages and disability categories
- To submit the edTPA portfolio for certification
- To be competent in research and pedagogy of inclusive education and individualizing instruction for students with disabilities
- To be a lifelong learner and leader in education
What You'll Learnplus or minus
Curriculum
Early and primary teacher education majors begin taking courses specific to their majors starting their first year. In addition to courses in teaching math, reading, social studies and science, students have specific courses on topics like educational psychology and family and community relations to prepare them to interact successfully as public servants. Students are also trained in educational methods, planning, assessment, evaluation and even online teaching.
Secondary education students earn a double major (or the equivalent of a double major) in secondary education and a content area. They take classes in educational psychology, assessment, methods of instruction, and teaching diverse learners, in addition to courses in their content area.
Before progressing beyond 48 credits (usually before the third year of study), students must apply for and earn Teacher Candidate Status. An information seminar and pre-testing are available in advance. For more information, click here.
Students are required to keep journals of their experiences in the classroom to help them process and reflect upon what they are learning. A seminar class as part of student teaching gives education majors an opportunity to share ideas, discuss challenges and support one another in the transition to professional work.
Students complete more than 100 hours of fieldwork related to students with disabilities (graduate level) or in a variety of early childhood, primary or secondary education settings (undergraduate level), as well as student-teaching internships.
Click here to see the curriculum for early & primary teacher education.
Click here to see the curriculum for secondary education/English.
Pursue Your Passion and Make a Differenceplus or minus
Education majors are required to perform 40 hours of community based learning in order to graduate. In their first year, community based learning requirements are earned through the Panuska College of Professional Studies’ T.A.P.E.S.T.R.Y. Program. Community based learning is aligned with designated courses throughout the remainder program of studies and is related to the content of the courses. Education students work with underprivileged children, teaching literacy skills through child advocacy centers.
Sophomore students have field experiences in pre-k through fourth grade classrooms even before their extensive student teaching in senior year. They interact productively with young students and teach as part of their training. Throughout their years of study, Scranton education majors learn to teach students of diverse backgrounds and skills.
Careers
Where will a BS/MS in Special Education take me?
Graduates with a BS/MS in special education go on to become early childhood educators, primary school teachers, high school English teachers and special education teachers in various educational settings. As teacher candidates, graduate students observe and practice teaching in inclusive settings, participate in meetings and child study teams, practice administration of assessments, and provide one-on-one tutoring and intervention to students with disabilities.
The significant field experiences that Scranton education students complete prepare them to teach in the classroom and also to interact in a professional environment. Graduates report that they are exceptionally prepared to put together lesson plans and assessments of student progress and they can “hit the ground running” as teachers.
Leading Employers:
You’ll find Scranton graduates working in a wide range of schools and organizations including:
- Oyster Bay, New York School District
- Quakertown, Pennsylvania School District
- The Goddard School
- Kiddie Academy
- Teach for America
- Bright Horizons
- Family Solutions
The median annual salary for special education teachers was $61,420 in May 2020. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021)
"My education at The University of Scranton opened my eyes to the education injustice that exists in this country. The education department has prepared me to serve with and for others and continue to prove that all children can learn regardless of socio-economic status, race and class."
Joe Lofstedt '13
Teach for America Corps Member
How Scranton Gives You a Competitive Edge
The significant field experiences that Scranton education students complete prepare them to teach in the classroom and also to interact in a professional environment. Graduates report that they are exceptionally prepared to put together lesson plans and assessments of student progress and they can “hit the ground running” as teachers.
Close relationships with professors is also a great asset. For state licensure, students need letters of recommendation from two faculty members. At Scranton, professors have had the opportunity to get to know students in small classes; they write personalized recommendations based on each students talents and experience. Professors stay in touch with graduates, serving as mentors, especially early in the teaching careers of alumni.
Take the Next Step
Get the Facts
For More Information
Office of Admissions
The Estate
Scranton, PA 18510
1-888-SCRANTON or (570) 941-7540
570-941-7572
admissions@scranton.edu
Education Department
Maria Oreshkina, Ph.D.
Department Chair & Graduate Programs Director
(570) 941.6244
maria.oreshkina@scranton.edu