Teaching, Special Education, MAT

Additional Admission Requirements

Completed checklist of TSPC character questions.
Strong evidence of academic content
Three recommendations, including one from each of the following:
- A university or college professor with direct knowledge of applicant’s academic abilities
- An employer with direct knowledge of applicant’s professional habits
- An immediate supervisor:
  - An immediate supervisor in an educational or social agency who can attest to the applicant’s ability to work with persons with disabilities and/or school-aged children or youth in volunteer or paid work experiences and as a team member in a professional or educational setting
Ability to write clearly and cogently as demonstrated in a 2-3 page essay on an educational issue or topic of the candidate’s choice

Selection Process

Preference is given to candidates who have a background in working with individuals with disabilities in either a school-based setting or non-school setting, or who have taken coursework related to working with persons with disabilities (e.g., psychology, sociology) as a part of their undergraduate experience. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work as a member of a team in an educational setting are a must.

Initial selection is based on the minimum requirements for admission and the following criteria: depth and breadth of undergraduate preparation, experience with children or youth, strength of recommendations, written communication skills as assessed in essay, and critical thinking skills as assessed in essay. Selected applicants are invited for a personal interview and asked to complete a timed writing sample at that time. Applicants are notified of their status by email or mail.

Transfer of credits into a preliminary licensure program is considered and evaluated on a case-by-case basis, although typically not more than 10 will be accepted for transfer. Only graduate credits qualify for transfer.

Policies

Master of Arts in Teaching students in the College of Education are held to the policies listed in the School of Learning & Teaching Policies section of this catalog, the College of Education handbook, as well as those immediately below.

Continuation in the Program

Candidates must satisfactorily:

maintain good academic standing
maintain a 3.00 minimum GPA at the end of each term in all professional education coursework with no grade lower than a C; a C- does not fulfill degree requirements
pass all required coursework and all tests required for licensure before student teaching
complete required practica and/or full-time student teaching with a grade of Pass
complete requirements for edTPA and Teacher Inquiry Project

Degree Requirements

An intensive teacher education program is offered for those seeking preliminary licensure in special education. Candidates complete academic requirements for the Oregon Preliminary Teaching License while also completing requirements for the Master of Arts in Teaching degree.

In order to qualify for degree completion and for licensure, candidates must pass all subject area tests and performance assessments required by TSPC.