MEd Teacher of Students with Disabilities

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The MEd program is an advanced teacher certification program for those who seek to obtain a special education endorsement (Teacher of Students with Disabilities) and already hold a standard New Jersey general education teacher certificate in a content content area or a New Jersey certificate of eligibility with advanced standing (CEAS). The program requires coursework as well as a demonstration teaching experience with students with disabilities. The goal of this program is to provide the State approved coursework leading to the Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD) certificate.

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Beginning September 2018:

Admission to the Degree Program

Teacher of Students with Disabilities Concentration Program

Application Deadline

August 1st: Fall semester
December 1st: Spring semester
May 1st: Summer semester
*Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a space availability basis

*International students are advised to apply by:
April 1st: Fall (September intake)
November 1st: Spring (January intake)
December 1st: Summer (May intake) 

Non-degree status not available

The requirements for admission:

Admission to the Degree Program

Teacher of Students with Disabilities Concentration Program

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
  • A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.00 scale;

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University’s admission requirements:

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended. 
  • Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.00.*
  • A copy of a CEAS or standard teaching license.** 

*Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement may supplement their application with additional evidence in support of their academic potential for successful completion of the degree program. 
**Program directors have discretion to waive this requirement based on unique circumstances.

Requirements for the Degree*

  • The completion of a minimum of 36 credits for the Teacher of Student with Disabilities Concentration
  • The completion of a research thesis
  • Courses must be taken sequentially
  • SPED 6290 Current Issues in Special Education must be taken prior to SPED 6320 Research in Special Education I

* Candidates must consult with their faculty advisor before selecting courses in the event that changes have been made in the program or its course offerings.

Contact Us

Professor Pamela Brillante
Program Director, Department of Special Education, Professional Counseling, and Disability Studies
brillantep@wpunj.edu
973-720-2279

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Information Regarding Field Experience/Clinical Practice Application

All placements are supervised, on site, by a William Paterson University Supervisor. If you are currently teaching AND have access to students who are classified, you may complete SPC 6750 Assessment of Learning in Clinical Practice in your own classroom. If you need a placement, the Office of Field Experience will provide one for you.

In order to register for Demonstration Teaching, you must submit the following paperwork:

  • Clinical Experience Application
  • Four copies of the Resume for Clinical Work

AND

  • If you are doing Clinical Practice in your classroom, you must also submit the District Permission Letter.

All of the necessary paperwork can be found on the Office of Field Experience webpage.

Please keep the following dates in mind as you complete the paperwork:

Semester of Placement for Clinical Practice Application Due
Fall 2022 January 15, 2022
Spring 2023 October 15, 2022
Summer 2023 February 1, 2023
Fall 2023 February 1, 2023

Please turn all completed paperwork in to the Graduate Director by the above due dates and be sure that all paperwork is neat and complete, or it will not be accepted. Please be advised that late applications will not be accepted. Because of this, it is recommended that you submit the paperwork if you intend on taking the class and, should it be necessary, the paperwork can be withdrawn if needed.

Information Regarding Steps Toward Licensure:

Candidates who hold a CEAS or Standard in an initial teaching area who are NOT working as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities complete this application.

Candidates who hold a CEAS or Standard in an initial teaching area who ARE working as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities complete the form found here.

For additional information, please visit the Office of Educational Enrollment and Certification.