Master of Arts in Teaching / Special Education (MAT/SPED) Program

   In collaboration with local school districts, the College of Education offers an intensive teacher education program for persons seeking initial licensure in special education with authorization at either the Early Childhood/Elementary or Middle and High School level. Students complete academic requirements for the Oregon Initial Teaching License while also completing the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Students have two options for completing the requirements of the program, the Alternative Pathways to Teaching (APT) SPED program, and the MAT/Special Educator (Traditional) Program.

   The APT program in Special Education is a unique alternative licensure program offered on our Forest Grove and Eugene campuses in conjunction with a consortium of local school and educational service districts. The APT-SPED program is designed for persons with two different backgrounds: those with a bachelor's degree and school experience related to persons with disabilities but no teaching certificate; and those with a bachelor's or master's degree in related fields serving the needs of individuals with disabilities but no school experience or teaching certificate. Depending upon previous educational and professional experience, students will enter an individualized program at either the Early Childhood/Elementary (age 3 - 8th grade) or Middle/High School (grade 5 - age 21) authorization level. Students will complete required coursework and practicum experiences during a 17-month graduate program. A special feature of the program is a year-long, paid internship in a participating school or educational service district at the selected authorization level. Intense mentoring from an experienced special educator and collegial support will be provided to interns. During the internship, each intern is a teacher of record.

   Two options are available for students admitted to the Traditional program: Option One is designed for special education paraeducators who will continue to work in the schools during the program. Option two allows students to pursue a traditional student teaching experience in a special education setting. Students admitted into the traditional program will complete all of the requirements of the special educator program and participate in a capstone student teaching experience for 12 - 18 weeks. Upon completion of the program students will receive a MAT degree and be eligible for the Initial Teaching License in Special Education at the selected authorization levels.

Required Tests

   Please note that the ORELA Multiple Subjects Exam is not required for licensure. However, the ORELA is required in order to be considered highly qualified.

Handbook

Special Education Handbook 07-08pdf

Curriculum

Section Required Courses for All Authorizations Credit Hrs
SPED-500 Foundations of Special Education
2
SPED-505 Exceptionalities
2
SPED-510 Behavior Management for Special Educators
3
SPED-516 Classroom Management for Special Educators
1
SPED-520 Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education
3
SPED-530 Integrated Curriculum and Methods for Students with Disabilities: Academic
or..
3
SPED-535 Integrated Curriculum and Methods for Students with Disabilities: Functional
3
SPED-540 Technology in Special Education
1
EDUC-600 Orientation to Learning Communities
1
EDUC-561 Foundations of Human Development & Psychology
2
EDUC-501 Foundations of General Education
2
EDUC-601 Teachers as Consumers of Research
2
  Required Courses for Early Childhood and Elementary Authorizations  
EDUC-605 Advanced Applications of Human Development and Psychology: Early Childhood and Elementary
2
EDUC 550 Practicum: General Education Early Childhood/Elementary
2
EDUC 575 Student Teaching: Special Education Early Childhood/Elementary
15
  Required Courses for Middle and High School Authorizations  
SPED-536 Transition
1
EDUC-608 Advanced Applications of Human Development and Psychology: Middle and High School
2
EDUC 550 Practicum: General Education Middle and High School
2
EDUC 575 Student Teaching: Special Education Middle and High School
15

For More Information

Contact Person (Forest Grove): Christine Macfarlane, Special Education Program Director
Email: macf1091@pacificu.edu
Phone: 503-352-3185

Contact Person (Eugene): Rebecca Schulte, Special Education Program Coordinator (Eugene)
Email: schu8038@pacificu.edu
Phone: 541-485-6812

Upcoming Events

Aug 16, 2008

Summer Commencement 2008

News

College of Education Recommended for NCATE Accreditation