Literacy/Special Education (Childhood) (M.S.)

The Esteves School of Education is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (http://www.ncate.org).

M.S. in Literacy/Special Education (Childhood)

The dual masters in Literacy/Special Education (Childhood) is intended for teachers who are already certified in elementary education or childhood education. This degree prepares teachers to effectively serve students with disabilities and reading difficulties and is intended to prepare teachers to serve as consultant teachers.

One of the goals of this program is to help diminish the artificial distinctions between teachers of students who have disabilities and those who do not. Another goal of the program is to prepare expert consultant teachers and co-teachers. In this model, the student with disabilities is not removed from the regular class to be served primarily in special classes or resource rooms. The special education teacher, trained to work with students with disabilities in the regular classroom, collaborates with the regular classroom teacher to accommodate the child’s needs in the regular program and also delivers instruction in the regular classroom, either to individuals or in small instructional groups.

The program at Sage is relatively small, allowing faculty and students to work closely together. This advisor/student relationship begins when a faculty advisor and a student meet to develop a program tailored to meet the student’s educational needs and continues through all the student’s coursework, culminating in a portfolio.

All matriculated students complete a signed program schedule. Any change in stated coursework must receive written approval of the assigned faculty advisor.

Admission Requirements

1. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0
2. For students admitted with provisions, an interview may be required.
3. Pursuant to the law, each program is entitled to exempt a student from these admission requirements based on the exempted student’s demonstrated potential to positively contribute to the teaching field.

Applicants to the Literacy/Special Education (Childhood) program must be current certified teachers. In addition, applicants to the Literacy/Special Education program complete an assessment of writing skills.

Program Summary