Apr 20, 2024  
2015-2016 SGPP Catalog and Handbook 
    
2015-2016 SGPP Catalog and Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Special Education - Emotional Behavioral Disorders Certificate


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The Graduate Certificate in Emotional Behavioral Disorders program provides licensed Minnesota teachers the skills, theories, and tools to develop an inclusive learning environment for learners at all ability levels. Individuals who would like to add a license to teach in the emotional behavioral disorders (EBD) area take special education core courses plus additional EBD coursework, including field placement.  The main focus of the program is development of intercultural competence.  The special education coursework is based on the standards required by the Minnesota Board of Teaching.  All standards and requirements must be successfully completed by licensure candidates prior to recommendation to the Minnesota Board of Teaching.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate in Emotional Behavioral Disorders program, graduates are expected to do the following:

  1. Analyze educational principles, structures, and systems to identify and meet the needs of learners with emotional behavioral disorders.
  2. Apply due process procedures within legal parameters for learners with emotional behavioral disorders.
  3. Create and implement learner-specific instructional strategies.
  4. Maintain professionalism to cultivate collaborative relationships with learners, families, educators, other professionals, and the community.
  5. Develop intercultural competence to understand and inform educational practice for all learners, specifically learners from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
  6. Demonstrate critical thinking and reflection in analysis and decision making.
  7. Identify and continue to explore ethical frameworks to inform practice.

Program Delivery


This program has a blended delivery model.  This model gives students the benefits of face-to-face instruction with the flexibility of online course sessions.  All students need access to high speed internet.  The online sessions use Blackboard, discussions boards, PowerPoint, etc.

State Required Testing


In order to be recommended for licensure in the State of Minnesota, you must pass the Minnesota Teacher Licensing Examination (refer to the SPED handbook for details on the examinations).

Field Placement


Experience applying theoretical concepts in real life settings is crucial to a teacher’s development as a professional. Saint Mary’s categorizes these experiences through three credits of practicum experience for those teachers adding a special education license, or a 6-credit student teaching experience for those students working on their initial teaching license.  

All students in the program, regardless of if they are seeking licensure, will be expected to access K-12 classrooms for observational practicum in order to complete course assignments and activities during the length of their program.  Students can expect a minimum of 3 hours and maximum of 15 hours of observational practicum per course.

Faculty


The faculty members for this program have earned doctorate or master’s degrees. Faculty are selected for their combination of educational and professional experience and expertise.

Admission Requirements


Applicants may apply for admission to the program at any time during the year.  Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and maintained an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.  Applicants must demonstrate the language proficiency necessary for successful graduate coursework.  Applicants must complete an interview with a program administrator as part of the admission process.

Application Process


Applicants must submit the following:

  1. Completed application form with the nonrefundable application fee (fee not required for alumni or students seeking readmission or veterans and active military personnel), and
  2. An official transcript issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed bachelor degree and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits. (An official transcript is one that is sent to the university by the credit-granting institution. Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated by a university accepted evaluation source, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, or One Earth International Credential Evaluators and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards.)
  3. A reflective essay which includes the following:
    1. brief description of the applicant’s background, training, and experience; and
    2. statement indicating the career goals of the applicant and his or her reasons for seeking admission to the program; and
    3. description of the areas the applicant considers to be his or her strengths and areas in which the applicant wishes to develop greater strengths and abilities; and
    4. personal information the applicant wishes to share.
  4. Letter(s) of recommendation that verify professional and/or volunteer experience and academic ability; and
  5. A current résumé listing educational background and work experience.

Please Note: Application materials should be sent to the attention of the Office of Admission on the Twin Cities campus.
 

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Office of Admission
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN  55404

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