Mar 29, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2015-2016 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Special Education, M.A.


Academic Program Director: Nanette S. Fritschmann

Assistant Director: Catherine Foote

Introduction

The Special Education program prepares candidates from a variety of academic backgrounds to work with students with exceptional needs. Candidates may pursue graduate work in the following areas:

  • Master of Arts in Special Education with the Preliminary Education Specialist: Mild/Moderate Disabilities credential (36 semester hours): Traditional Pathway
  • Preliminary Education Specialist: Mild/Moderate Disabilities Credential (24 semester hours): Intern Pathway
    • Optional Additional Coursework Required for Master of Arts in Special Education
  • Certificate in Catholic Inclusive Education (not admitting at this time)
  • Master of Arts in Catholic Inclusive Education (not admitting at this time)

Learning Outcomes


Student Learning Outcome 1: Professional Disposition

The candidate engages collaboratively in all environments, demonstrates intellectual and academic curiosity, and is a reflective practitioner embracing life-long learning.

Student Learning Outcome 2: Professional Disposition

The candidate exhibits knowledge of ethical standards and demonstrates professional practices related to the provision of services to individuals with special needs and their families.

Student Learning Outcome 3: Positive Behavior Support

The candidate demonstrates the ability to establish and maintain a safe educational environment through the use of positive behavior support plans and the implementation of appropriate behavioral interventions based on functional analysis assessments.

Student Learning Outcome 4: Assessment

The candidate demonstrates knowledge of non-biased evidence based principles of assessment through the administration of formal/informal assessments to evaluate the needs and achievements of general and special education students.

Student Learning Outcome 5: Assessment

The candidate demonstrates the ability to use formal/informal assessment data to make appropriate academic/behavioral/instructional decisions and for the purpose of making ongoing program improvement.

Student Learning Outcome 6: Instruction

Candidates will align appropriate content with CA content standards and Common Core State Standards (CCSS) into lesson design and delivery that clearly delineates evidence-based differentiated instructional practices for students with special needs in inclusive settings.

Student Learning Outcome 7: Instruction

The candidate demonstrates the ability to plan and execute engaging and developmentally appropriate culturally and linguistically sensitive instruction that employs higher order thinking skills and a variety of evidence based teaching methods and instructional strategies.

Master of Arts in Special Education, Combined with an Education Specialist Credential: Mild/Moderate Disabilities Program Elementary or Secondary Emphasis


Admission Requirements


Provisional Admission Requirements for Master of Arts in Special Education and/or Credential


1. Attendance at an Information Session (for credential candidates only): Contact the Admissions Coordinator at 310.338.7845 or soeinfo@lmu.edu to attend an information session. Applicants will receive an information packet that includes: Graduate Application; Candidate Information Sheet; two Recommendation Forms; Technology Self-Verification Form; Fingerprint information; program information

2. Submission of Graduate Application and Application Fee: Applicants may either submit the application to the Graduate Division or complete the online application.

3. Candidate Information Sheet: Applicants must submit the Candidate Information Sheet to the Graduate Division.

4. Statement of Intent: Applicants must write a 3- to 5-page essay describing how their experiences, qualities, and goals reflect the School of Education’s motto - REAL (Respect, Educate, Advocate, Lead). See website for additional information on REAL at http://soe.lmu.edu. The Statement of Intent should be submitted to the Graduate Division.

5. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation to the Graduate Division. At least one letter must verify the applicant’s experience and familiarity with the age group appropriate to the candidate’s interest.

6. Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement: A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher or a GPA of 3.05 or higher in the last 60 semester hours of the applicant’s undergraduate degree or a GPA of 3.0 or higher obtained in 9 semester hours of graduate work. Students who do not meet this requirement will be asked to file an appeal through the Exceptions process.

7. Transcripts: Applicants must submit to the Graduate Division two sets of official transcripts with their bachelor’s degree posted. If applicants are in the process of completing the degree, they must submit official transcripts with their degree posted by the start of registration for the following semester. Candidates must submit two sets of official transcripts from each college/university attended.

8. Observation/Volunteer Hours Plan of Action: Candidates must complete at least 20 hours of experience working with culturally diverse youths in the required age level for the program (elementary, 5-12 years of age; secondary, 13-19 years of age).

9. Basic Skills Proficiency Requirements: All Multiple (Elementary) Subjects and Single (Secondary) Subject applicants must meet the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requirements for basic skills by obtaining a passing score on the CBEST examination.

10. Subject Matter Competency Test (CSET) Plan of Action: Candidates must demonstrate mastery of the required subject matter by passing the appropriate subject matter exam (CSET). Candidates will provide a Plan of Action, and CSET Exam registration confirmation, on when the CSET will be taken. Candidates must provide an original passing score report to the School of Education.

11. Certificate of Clearance (COC): Information about fingerprint clearance (also known as Live Scan) is included in the Admissions information packet. Official results of the Certificate of Clearance must be received by the Credential Office prior to enrolling in education courses. All fees associated with fingerprint clearance are the responsibility of the student.

12. Tuberculin Test: Candidates must submit an official copy of their tuberculin skin test results, given within one year.

13. Technology Requirement: Candidates may satisfy the technology requirement by either completing a self-verification form or verifying the completion of an approved course through another institution. Candidates must register for LiveText during the first education course. The e-Portfolio fee is assessed during the first semester of enrollment.

14. Interview with the Academic Program Director/Assistant Director: Following the submission of all requirements to the Graduate Division, the candidate will be contacted to schedule an admissions interview with the Program Director or Assistant Director.

15. Admission Status: Following the interview, the candidate’s application will be reviewed by the Assistant Dean. Candidates are admitted on either Controlled or Provisional Admission to the appropriate Master of Arts and/or Credential Program.

16. Advisement:

Academic Advising: Immediately upon admission, the student must schedule an appointment with the Academic Advisor. The Academic Advisor advises candidates on appropriate course sequence and program information. All candidates are required to meet with the Academic Advisor once a semester.

Professional Advising: All candidates are required to meet with the Professional Advisor (Program Director or Assistant Director) once a semester. Candidates will discuss academic course progress, career plans and goals, dispositional issues, and other issues related to the teaching profession.

Formal Admission Requirements for Master of Arts in Special Education and/or Credential


Review by Committee by end of fall semester (credential requirement)

1. U.S. Constitution Requirement: Candidates may satisfy the U.S. Constitution requirement in one of the following ways:

  • Taking one of the following LMU courses: HIST 1300  upon approval or  ;
  • Completing an equivalent course at another institution. The course must be approved by the School of Education Admissions Coordinator. Candidates must present a course syllabus and course description;
  • Passing the U.S. Constitution Exam online at usconstitutionexam.com

2. CSET: Candidates must submit official passing score report to the Academic Advisor. Students who have not taken the CSET, must submit their CSET registration as proof of their intent to take the CSET.

3. Disposition Form: Signed Candidate Disposition Forms two faculty members in the School of Education with whom the candidate has had courses are required before a candidate is granted Formal Admission.

Benchmark (2,3) Review Committee: After all the steps outlined above have been completed, the candidates’ file will be submitted to the Benchmark (2,3) Review Committee for review. It is the candidates’ responsibility to ensure that all items have been completed, including the resolution of any incomplete grades received in any courses. Candidates will be notified of the committee’s decision in writing.

Field Experiences


Students in the Education Specialist: Mild/Moderate Credential program choose one of three routes to the credential/Master of Arts Degree.

Note: During the program, if a traditional candidate changes to the intern track as a full-time teacher, the candidate must meet all the requirements of the intern candidate as state below, including two semesters of fieldwork, beginning when the candidate is issued an intern credential.

Traditional Candidates


Candidates following this path will complete all coursework before beginning their field experiences as student teachers. LMU will facilitate the candidates’ placement as student teachers. All prerequisite requirements apply to the candidate choosing the traditional route.

University Intern Candidates


A candidate following this path is employed full-time at a public school in a district that has a partnership with LMU. The candidate takes courses while teaching full-time. This employment status, along with the required seminars and additional supervision in the classroom provided through LMU, fulfills the field requirements of the credential. Candidates seek out their own employment as Interns unless the candidates are in a cohort program where placement is facilitated through the program (e.g., Teach for America). Interns must be employed to teach at least 60% in the area of the credential, and the contract must state that the teacher is contracted to teach in the area in which the candidate is seeking a credential.

It is necessary that the student complete the program pre-service requirement and hold a University Intern credential in order to be enrolled in the Intern program. University Intern credentials are issued for new placements at the beginning of the fall semester only. Candidates must submit a Verification of Employment form, signed by the School District that holds a partnership agreement with Loyola Marymount University.

Teacher Practitioner Candidates


The teacher practitioner candidate is employed full-time at a non-public school. The candidate takes courses while teaching full-time. This employment status, along with additional supervision in the classroom provided through LMU, fulfills the requirements of the credential. The candidate seeks out his/her own employment as a teacher practitioner. The teacher practitioner must be employed at least 60% in the area of the credential. The teacher practitioner must fulfill all the field requirements listed including the program pre-service requirements.

Culminating Program Requirements


Application for Credential


When all requirements have been completed, candidates must complete an application for a preliminary teaching credential (fee required, see SOE website for more information).

Intern/Practitioner Credential Requirements


Eligibility for the Intern Credential is determined by the following guidelines set by the California Commission on Teacher Credential (CCTC).

Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA)


After the fall semester candidates are required to take, pass and submit an original score report of the RICA to the Special Education program advisor.

Application for Master of Arts Degree (Optional for Interns, Additional Coursework Required)


Candidate must complete an application for a Master of Arts degree with the Office of the Registrar the semester prior to the completion of degree requirements.

Course Sequence


Intern/Practitioners Candidate Course Requirements


Pre-Service Courses:

Once an applicant is accepted to the Special Education Program, there are several “pre-service” content requirements mandated by the CA Commission of Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) that must be successfully completed by all intern candidates prior to the start of the core intern program, which begins in the fall semester. These pre-service requirements will be met by completing online modules through the Kern County Office of Education (KCOE) and will be separate from any tuition monies upon admission and enrollment in fall courses. The modules will be accessible through an agreement with KCOE and were developed in collaboration with the CCTC to fill a need for intern program pre-service content accessibility within the state. The KCOE special education modules are prerequisite, pre-service hours that must be completed prior to starting as an official teacher of record in a special education placement, and must be completed prior to enrolling in fall semester courses.

The following courses must be completed with a grade of “B” (3.0) or better:

Optional Additional Coursework Required for the Master’s Degree


Application for Credential


When all requirements have been completed, candidates must complete an application for a preliminary teaching credential. An additional fee required. See website for more information.

Application for Master’s Degree


When all requirements have been completed, candidates must complete an application for a Master’s degree with the Office of the Registrar.