Special Education - M.A.

Degree Requirements

This option is for those without teacher licensure who want to be licensed to teach special education in Minnesota. The program is composed of 57 credits required for licensure and an additional 6 credits designated for completing the Master’s degree, resulting in a total of 63 credits encompassing both licensure and Master’s Degree components

Field Requirements

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 3-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.

Professional Licensure

Students should be aware that licensure requirements vary from state to state, are subject to change periodically, and may include educational or degree requirements, work experience, background checks, character and fitness qualifications, fingerprinting and other requirements. Students are responsible for confirming licensure requirements prior to enrolling in any Saint Mary’s program. More information can be found at https://www.smumn.edu/professional-licensure, which includes a program contact at Saint Mary’s.  

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 master degree programs 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. All applicants must complete an interview with a program administrator.

Application Process

Applicants must submit:

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 their immediate family) 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 on a course by course basis by a university accepted evaluation service, 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).  Evaluations from an approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) will also be accepted. 
3. A personal statement which includes:

• brief description of the applicant’s background, training, and experience and,
• statement indicating the career goals of the applicant and his or her reasons for seeking admission to the program and,
• 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,
• personal information the applicant wishes to share.

4. Names of two people (including title, organization, email, phone number) who could serve as professional references, if needed, during the application review process. The best references are those who know you in a professional capacity, such as current or former supervisors.
5. A current résumé listing educational background and work experience.

See individual programs for additional application requirements.

Please Note: Application materials should be sent to the attention of the Office of Admission on the Minneapolis Campus.

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