Total Credit Hours: 33     Degree Format: Online

 

The M.Ed. Special Education curriculum is designed to build upon the professional base of knowledge developed from the undergraduate curriculum and is applicable for already-certified special education teachers (or related field such as speech language pathology, deaf education, vocational rehabilitation, or adapted physical education). Candidates are expected to refine this base, developing abilities to deal with more of the intricate aspects of the teaching experience.

Graduates of the program who meet all criteria may be eligible for upgrade to Level 5 certification in the state of Georgia or reciprocal state.

 

Program Contact: Ms. Crystal Marshall, email: coehsgrad@valdosta.edu

   ADMISSION DEADLINES      

                                    
  • Fall Semester: July 15
  •  Spring Semester: November 15
  •  Summer Semester: April 15                                      
                                    

 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

ONLINE GRADUATE APPLICATION

Application Fee (credit or debit card and e-checks accepted)

Apply Online

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT FROM YOUR BACHELOR’S DEGREE-GRANTING SCHOOL AND FROM ANY GRADUATE COURSEWORK.

Transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at VSU will be obtained by the Graduate School

Must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA or combined undergraduate and graduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 Scale. Applicants not meeting the required GPA may be eligible for admission by an alternative pathway (see below).

 

APPROPRIATE TEACHING CERTIFICATE

Must hold a valid level 4 (bachelor’s level) professional teaching certificate in one or more special education fields in Georgia or equivalent in reciprocal state.

 

ADMISSION BY ALTERNATIVE PATHWAY REQUIREMENTS

Must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA or combined undergraduate and graduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale AND meet requirements for one of the following alternative pathways:

 

  • Alternative Pathway 1: Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor's degree (i.e. 3000 and 4000 level coursework); or
  • Alternative Pathway 2: Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in all graduate coursework (must have completed at least 6 credit hours of graduate work in which a letter grade was awarded); or
  • Alternative Pathway 3: Have an undergraduate GPA earned ten or more years prior to admission AND hold at least three years of teaching experience in special education.

 

DISTANCE LEARNING EXEMPTION OF THE VSU MEDICAL FORM

The form must be completed and signed by the student/applicant.
This form must be received prior to enrollment, NOT prior to admission.
Applicants who are currently enrolled, and those who attended VSU in the past, are not required to resubmit the Medical Form

 

VERIFICATION OF LAWFUL PRESENCE

(For applicants who believe they qualify for in-state tuition or a residency waiver.)
This is not required for individuals who do not qualify for in-state tuition or a residency waiver.
This must be received prior to enrollment (if applicable), NOT prior to admission.
Citizenship documentation is needed for any applicant who wishes to be considered for in-state tuition.
Check out a complete list of accepted documents and residency information here.
Unless otherwise indicated above, all required documents must be received on or before the admission deadline for your file to be reviewed. It is the applicant's responsibility to allow adequate time for document delivery and to ensure receipt of documents. Please allow at least 7-10 days for delivery by mail.

 

IMPORTANT PROGRAM INFORMATION

Students will be required to complete coursework each enrolled semester that will require access to P-12 learners and a minimum amount of time in a special education school setting that aligns with their field of certification. Please contact the program contact about any concerns of meeting this requirement.

Only qualified students with an appropriate level four certificate in Georgia (or a comparable and reciprocal certification from other states) may be eligible for level five certification following the completion of degree requirements.  Georgia applicants are encouraged to use the GaPSC Upgrade Advisor in their MyPSC account to confirm program/upgrade eligibility.

Out-of-state applicants are strongly encouraged to confirm that this program complies with the requirements of their respective state educator licensing agency prior to applying.  It is the applicant's responsibility to determine if there are additional requirements for educator certification by the respective agency.

Student application status may be classified as Regular or Probationary.

 

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

The M.Ed. program is fully online. Due to Homeland Security guidelines, student visas cannot be issued for fully online programs.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam – Applicants whose first language is not English (based on country of citizenship) must submit official scores on the TOEFL exam. International applicants whose first language is not English but who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution may be exempt from the TOEFL requirement.

 

Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc.  The transcript evaluation does not replace the transcript requirement. Official transcripts are still required.

 

HAVE QUESTIONS?

For admission questions about this program, please contact the Graduate School by phone, email, or stop by our office.

Call Us: 229-333-5694

Email Us: gradschool@valdosta.edu

Visit Us: Converse Hall (Main Campus), Third Floor, Suite 3100

 

For additional program details contact the Program Contact: Ms. Crystal Marshall, email: coehsgrad@valdosta.edu,  phone: 229-259-5095.

                                                  GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

  1. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. No grade below a “C” will be credited toward the degree.
  2. Candidates must submit an application for graduation one semester prior to their expected graduation date.

 

RETENTION, DISMISSAL, & READMISSION POLICIES

  1. After admission, courses taken more than seven years prior to the semester of degree completion cannot be used to meet graduate degree requirements or admission to doctoral candidacy requirements unless otherwise indicated by individual program requirements.
  2. No more than 6 semester hours of academic work may be transferred from another institution into a College of Education graduate program. Transfer credit will be evaluated after admission by the academic department.
  3. Earning grades below “B” in graduate courses will result in the following consequences: Students will be dismissed from the Graduate School if they accumulate three or more academic deficiency points unless otherwise indicated by individual program policy. A grade of “C” (although it may be credited toward a degree) equals one deficiency point. A grade of “D,” “WF” or “F,” or “U” (none of which will be credited toward a degree) equals two deficiency points.
  4. If dismissed from the program a student must not be enrolled for two semesters. Application for readmission may be initiated during the second semester. Readmission is not guaranteed, and prior academic performance and student conduct/disposition in the program will be considered. The academic program reserves the right to place specific conditions and contingencies on any offer of readmission.

 

                                          Total Credit Hours: 33     Degree Format: Online

 

The M.Ed. Special Education curriculum is designed to build upon the professional base of knowledge developed from the undergraduate curriculum and is applicable for already-certified special education teachers (or related field such as speech language pathology, deaf education, vocational rehabilitation, or adapted physical education). Candidates are expected to refine this base, developing abilities to deal with more of the intricate aspects of the teaching experience.

Graduates of the program who meet all criteria may be eligible for upgrade to Level 5 certification in the state of Georgia or reciprocal state.

 

Program Contact: Ms. Crystal Marshall, email: coehsgrad@valdosta.edu

   ADMISSION DEADLINES      

                                    
  • Fall Semester: July 15
  •  Spring Semester: November 15
  •  Summer Semester: April 15                                      
                                    

 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

ONLINE GRADUATE APPLICATION

Application Fee (credit or debit card and e-checks accepted)

Apply Online

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT FROM YOUR BACHELOR’S DEGREE-GRANTING SCHOOL AND FROM ANY GRADUATE COURSEWORK.

Transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at VSU will be obtained by the Graduate School

Must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA or combined undergraduate and graduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 Scale. Applicants not meeting the required GPA may be eligible for admission by an alternative pathway (see below).

 

APPROPRIATE TEACHING CERTIFICATE

Must hold a valid level 4 (bachelor’s level) professional teaching certificate in one or more special education fields in Georgia or equivalent in reciprocal state.

 

ADMISSION BY ALTERNATIVE PATHWAY REQUIREMENTS

Must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA or combined undergraduate and graduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale AND meet requirements for one of the following alternative pathways:

 

  • Alternative Pathway 1: Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor's degree (i.e. 3000 and 4000 level coursework); or
  • Alternative Pathway 2: Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in all graduate coursework (must have completed at least 6 credit hours of graduate work in which a letter grade was awarded); or
  • Alternative Pathway 3: Have an undergraduate GPA earned ten or more years prior to admission AND hold at least three years of teaching experience in special education.

 

DISTANCE LEARNING EXEMPTION OF THE VSU MEDICAL FORM

The form must be completed and signed by the student/applicant.
This form must be received prior to enrollment, NOT prior to admission.
Applicants who are currently enrolled, and those who attended VSU in the past, are not required to resubmit the Medical Form

 

VERIFICATION OF LAWFUL PRESENCE

(For applicants who believe they qualify for in-state tuition or a residency waiver.)
This is not required for individuals who do not qualify for in-state tuition or a residency waiver.
This must be received prior to enrollment (if applicable), NOT prior to admission.
Citizenship documentation is needed for any applicant who wishes to be considered for in-state tuition.
Check out a complete list of accepted documents and residency information here.
Unless otherwise indicated above, all required documents must be received on or before the admission deadline for your file to be reviewed. It is the applicant's responsibility to allow adequate time for document delivery and to ensure receipt of documents. Please allow at least 7-10 days for delivery by mail.

 

IMPORTANT PROGRAM INFORMATION

Students will be required to complete coursework each enrolled semester that will require access to P-12 learners and a minimum amount of time in a special education school setting that aligns with their field of certification. Please contact the program contact about any concerns of meeting this requirement.

Only qualified students with an appropriate level four certificate in Georgia (or a comparable and reciprocal certification from other states) may be eligible for level five certification following the completion of degree requirements.  Georgia applicants are encouraged to use the GaPSC Upgrade Advisor in their MyPSC account to confirm program/upgrade eligibility.

Out-of-state applicants are strongly encouraged to confirm that this program complies with the requirements of their respective state educator licensing agency prior to applying.  It is the applicant's responsibility to determine if there are additional requirements for educator certification by the respective agency.

Student application status may be classified as Regular or Probationary.

 

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

The M.Ed. program is fully online. Due to Homeland Security guidelines, student visas cannot be issued for fully online programs.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam – Applicants whose first language is not English (based on country of citizenship) must submit official scores on the TOEFL exam. International applicants whose first language is not English but who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution may be exempt from the TOEFL requirement.

 

Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc.  The transcript evaluation does not replace the transcript requirement. Official transcripts are still required.

 

HAVE QUESTIONS?

For admission questions about this program, please contact the Graduate School by phone, email, or stop by our office.

Call Us: 229-333-5694

Email Us: gradschool@valdosta.edu

Visit Us: Converse Hall (Main Campus), Third Floor, Suite 3100

 

For additional program details contact the Program Contact: Ms. Crystal Marshall, email: coehsgrad@valdosta.edu,  phone: 229-259-5095.

                                                  GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

  1. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. No grade below a “C” will be credited toward the degree.
  2. Candidates must submit an application for graduation one semester prior to their expected graduation date.

 

RETENTION, DISMISSAL, & READMISSION POLICIES

  1. After admission, courses taken more than seven years prior to the semester of degree completion cannot be used to meet graduate degree requirements or admission to doctoral candidacy requirements unless otherwise indicated by individual program requirements.
  2. No more than 6 semester hours of academic work may be transferred from another institution into a College of Education graduate program. Transfer credit will be evaluated after admission by the academic department.
  3. Earning grades below “B” in graduate courses will result in the following consequences: Students will be dismissed from the Graduate School if they accumulate three or more academic deficiency points unless otherwise indicated by individual program policy. A grade of “C” (although it may be credited toward a degree) equals one deficiency point. A grade of “D,” “WF” or “F,” or “U” (none of which will be credited toward a degree) equals two deficiency points.
  4. If dismissed from the program a student must not be enrolled for two semesters. Application for readmission may be initiated during the second semester. Readmission is not guaranteed, and prior academic performance and student conduct/disposition in the program will be considered. The academic program reserves the right to place specific conditions and contingencies on any offer of readmission.