Graduate Programs in Special Education

A teacher reads allowed, surrounded by children

 

 

Graduate Programs in Special Education

Bryn Athyn College is not currently accepting applications for this program for the 2024-2025 academic year. Please return to this page for updates about the next available start date.

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It's more than just "teaching kids how to read..."

It's recognizing and nurturing the individual potential in a student. Bryn Athyn's graduate programs in special education work with educators, developing the skills to support and advance their students' literacy, especially those with learning differences.

Program features designed for working professionals:

  • Virtual synchronous or in-person attendance options
  • Complete the program in 12-14 months
  • Flexible cohort start dates (November 2021 or August 2022)
  • One-on-one advising for a highly personalized experience
  • Certificate and degree tracks to fit your professional goals
  • A focus on the spirituality of language and education
 

A Track That's Right for You

Choose between a Master in Science degree or a Graduate Certificate:

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Master of Science in Special Education, Literacy Concentration

  • Emphasis on:
    • Current issues, trends, goals, and challenges in special education today
    • Skills to form functional collaborative relationships with families and educational resources
    • Serving children with high-incidence disabilities
  • Complete in as little as 14 months
  • An optional residency program to master critical skills under expert mentorship
  • 34-40 credits

Learn More about Masters

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Graduate Certificate in Language-Based Learning Disability & Intervention Studies

  • Emphasis on:
    • Assessment data to inform and guide effective learning
    • Components of literacy instruction in an inclusive classroom
    • Hands-on application of foundational methods
    • Various models of both in and out-of-classroom multi-sensory intervention techniques
  • Complete in under 1 year
  • 15-credit program

Learn More about Certificate

 

Hear From Our Recent Students

“The M.S. in Special Education at Bryn Athyn College offers a unique, collaborative learning environment where educators can come together and share experiences, ideas, and the latest findings from cutting-edge research… The professors bring a depth of knowledge and personal experience to our graduate courses; inspiring meaningful assignments and dedication to the betterment of our classrooms.”

-Brenna S., 1st-4th grade Remediation & Enrichment Specialist

“As a working mom of two, the M.S. in Special Education at Bryn Athyn College  allowed me to collaborate, research and learn with other educators from all over the country. This incredible opportunity has given me the chance to share my experiences and ideas while gaining a wealth of knowledge from the professors and colleagues in the program. The option to be virtual has allowed me to attend classes and participate within my busy home and work schedule.”

-Kelly S., Kindergarten Teacher

"Completing this program was one of my most rewarding accomplishments, as it allowed me to stretch myself beyond what I thought I was capable of, with the support from my incredibly talented classmates and professors. I am truly grateful to have had this opportunity."

-Erica S., High School Teacher & Student Support

 

 


star sticker iconMaster of Science in Special Education, Literacy Concentration Program

Becoming an expert practitioner takes time and expert mentorship. Whether you are looking for a meaningful change to your current career or are looking to add the PA Pre-K-12 special education certification to your existing certification, our program will offer you a deeper ability to meet the needs of students with learning differences.

An optional residency program provides the opportunity to master critical skills under expert mentorship. This consists of a full-time 6-9-month placement in a school setting designed to support students with language-based learning disabilities.

Application Requirements

  • Official sealed transcript(s) of undergraduate/graduate coursework
  • BA or BS degree in Education or related field, from an accredited college or university
  • Personal Statement:
    • Highlighting their professional endeavors, motivations for pursuing their graduate degree in special education, and how they will utilize their degree to enhance their teaching practice upon program completion.
  • GPA 3.0
  • Three Letters of Recommendation:
    • One must be from the candidate’s building administrator demonstrating support for graduate student or if not currently employed in a school district, a school administrator from their previous field placement.
    • One must be from a faculty member from the candidate’s undergraduate program.
  • Resume
  • Additional Documents:
    • Required Pennsylvania Clearances
    • Optional: GRE Scores & Current teaching certifications if applicable
  • If your first or native language is not English, you must submit scores from either TOEFL or the IELTS. Moreover, in response to the temporary closing of testing centers in countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryn Athyn College will accept Duolingo English Test examination results for the 2022-23 application cycle as an alternative to TOEFL and IELTS scores. Only Duolingo English Test scores with subscores will be accepted. The following are the minimum scores accepted:

    • TOEFL score(s): 550 (paper), 80 (internet-based)
    • IELTS score: 6.5
    • Duolingo English Test: 105


    How to submit: An official copy of your score report must be sent. Our institution code is 2002 for TOEFL (ETS). IELTS can be delivered to Bryn Athyn College Admissions Office.

Courses

View the course information for many of the classes offered in this program.

1 Credit
How do we move beyond the labels that are required for securing special education services and meet students for who they are as human beings? This course explores the lens through which we view students. It provides tools for helping educators to see the whole student instead of seeing just someone with a disability. By working on our own attitudes and assumptions, we can transform our classrooms into places where students of all abilities can thrive.

3 Credits

This course is designed to provide students with a general understanding of the history of education of individuals with disabilities and the development of special education law and policy over time. It presents current issues and trends highlighting the goals and challenges of special education today. Additionally, a foundation of major disability categories and factors that contribute towards under-and over- representation of diverse students in special education will be addressed.

3 Credits

This course provides the knowledge and skills to form useful, collaborative relationships with families, paraeducators, service providers, and other educators to best serve the needs of children with disabilities. Students will learn to implement federal and state mandates for special education and related services to develop effective school programs. High-Leverage Practices (HLP) related to collaboration will be emphasized. Additionally, students will explore procedures for developing, implementing and evaluating (a) instructional accountability between general and special education personnel and programs, (b) roles and responsibilities (c) interdisciplinary team planning including families (d) coordinating, educating and supervising paraeducators, and (e) general management responsibilities associated with instruction of children and youth with disabilities.

2 Credits
This course is designed to introduce the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and incorporation of assistive technology to accomplish UDL, in meeting needs of all children in an inclusive classroom environment. It will provide hands-on, application experiences to utilize these principles in a variety of settings through multiple strategies and devices. Through the creation of a website portfolio, the course will enable students build a resource of tools for themselves and others.

3 Credits

In this course, students will develop an understanding of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as an essential consideration in child development. An overview of the concept of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and related High-Leverage Practices (HLP) will be provided with an emphasis on developing individualized strategies and establishing a supportive classroom culture.

3 Credits

In this course, standardized and functional assessments are emphasized. Students are introduced to educational assessment procedures, including norm-referenced, criterion-referenced, and curriculum-based assessments. An emphasis is placed on gathering information to answer specific referral questions, and the use of assessment tools, which meet legal and ethical guidelines. Students will learn to measure an individual’s present level of performance, interpret the data and provide recommendations for instruction, by creating assessment driven learning goals and objectives. High-Leverage Practices (HLP) related to assessment are emphasized.

3 Credits

This course introduces the assessment and identification processes for understanding and serving children with high-incidence disabilities. Students will explore initial instructional and behavioral interventions necessary for meeting the needs of children with high incidence disabilities, with a focused introduction to children identified with language-based learning disabilities. Curriculum resources and High-Leverage Practices (HLP) related to instruction will be emphasized for the development and implementation of individualized education plans.

3 Credits

Students will examine the essential components of literacy instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development and comprehension and its connection to writing. Students will learn the foundations of the reading process, developmental levels, theories, models, and instructional strategies to support all children’s literacy development, with an emphasis on children identified with language-based learning disabilities.

4 Credits

The focus of this course is to look at models of effective specialized instruction in a variety of content areas, with a particular focus on literacy interventions. Students will study means by which teachers and schools collect assessment data to inform and guide effective instruction for all children, in particular those who experience significant learning challenges. Students will examine the most current research, related High-Leverage Practices (HLP), and various models of both in-classroom and out-of-classroom multi-sensory intervention techniques. Students will identify an area of research related to language-based learning disabilities and explore possible research questions in preparation for SpEd 600 Graduate Capstone.

3 Credits

In this course students will develop skills to implement a comprehensive approach to literacy instruction. Students will explore evidenced-based instructional methods, study strategies, and technology that supports the integration of literacy instruction across the curriculum for children with language-based learning disabilities. An emphasis on supporting this population in inclusive settings through high-leverage collaborative practice will be provided. Additionally, students will explore literature relevant to their research questions formulated in SpEd 513 in preparation for SpEd 600 Graduate Capstone.

3 Credits

This course provides students an opportunity to complete a study on a topic of interest related to language-based learning disabilities. Capstone projects may involve quantitative or qualitative data collection or syntheses of literature. Early in the course, students refine research questions generated in SpEd 513. After questions are clearly delineated, students learn methods of data collection that will assist in answering their questions. Finally, students develop and present their key findings to the class.

3 Credits

This course provides the student with practical experiences as a special education teacher. These experiences include systematically designing and delivering effective, goal-driven instruction, utilizing various sources of student assessment data, creating a safe and responsive learning climate that promote social-emotional learning, and implementing collaboration skills to work with major stakeholders to ensure student learning.

6-9 Credits

This course provides the student with practical experiences as a special education teacher. These experiences include systematically designing and delivering effective, goal-driven instruction, utilizing various sources of student assessment data, creating a safe and responsive learning climate that promote social-emotional learning, and implementing collaboration skills to work with major stakeholders to ensure student learning.

MSSpEd Advisement Sheet

 

 


star sticker iconGraduate Certificate in Language-Based Learning Disability & Interventions Studies (LBLD&IS)

This 15-credit graduate certificate program offers educators the ​knowledge and skills required to meet the needs of struggling readers. Structured within the framework of universal design for learning, this program emphasizes the critical roles of social-emotional learning and evidence-based interventions grounded in the science of reading. ​The coursework will enhance one’s ability to identify learning differences and support the complex learning needs of all K-12 students who struggle with reading.

Application Requirements:

  • Official sealed transcript(s) of undergraduate/graduate coursework
  • BA or BS degree ​in Education or related field, from an accredited college or university
  • Personal Statement
  • GPA 3.0
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Resume
  • Additional Documents:
    • Optional GRE scores & Current Teaching Certifications if applicable
  • If your first or native language is not English, you must submit scores from either TOEFL or the IELTS. Moreover, in response to the temporary closing of testing centers in countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryn Athyn College will accept Duolingo English Test examination results for the 2022-23 application cycle as an alternative to TOEFL and IELTS scores. Only Duolingo English Test scores with subscores will be accepted. The following are the minimum scores accepted:

    • TOEFL score(s): 550 (paper), 80 (internet-based)
    • IELTS score: 6.5
    • Duolingo English Test: 105

    How to submit: An official copy of your score report must be sent. Our institution code is 2002 for TOEFL (ETS). IELTS can be delivered to Bryn Athyn College Admissions Office.

Courses

2 Credits
This course is designed to introduce the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and incorporation of assistive technology to accomplish UDL, in meeting needs of all children in an inclusive classroom environment. It will provide hands-on, application experiences to utilize these principles in a variety of settings through multiple strategies and devices. Through the creation of a website portfolio, the course will enable students build a resource of tools for themselves and others.

4 Credits
The focus of this course is to look at models of effective specialized instruction in a variety of content areas, with a particular focus on literacy interventions. Students will study means by which teachers and schools collect assessment data to inform and guide effective instruction for all children, in particular those who experience significant learning challenges. Students will examine the most current research, related High-Leverage Practices (HLP), and various models of both in-classroom and out-of-classroom multi-sensory intervention techniques. Students will identify an area of research related to language-based learning disabilities and explore possible research questions in preparation for SpEd 600 Graduate Capstone.

3 Credits

In this course, students will develop an understanding of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as an essential consideration in child development. An overview of the concept of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and related High-Leverage Practices (HLP) will be provided with an emphasis on developing individualized strategies and establishing a supportive classroom culture.

3 Credits

Students will examine the essential components of literacy instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development and comprehension and its connection to writing. Students will learn the foundations of the reading process, developmental levels, theories, models, and instructional strategies to support all children’s literacy development, with an emphasis on children identified with language-based learning disabilities.

3 Credits

In this course students will develop skills to implement a comprehensive approach to literacy instruction. Students will explore evidenced-based instructional methods, study strategies, and technology that supports the integration of literacy instruction across the curriculum for children with language-based learning disabilities. An emphasis on supporting this population in inclusive settings through high-leverage collaborative practice will be provided. Additionally, students will explore literature relevant to their research questions formulated in SpEd 513 in preparation for SpEd 600 Graduate Capstone.