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
- A Basic Skills test - CBEST or PPST
- Praxis II Special Education: Knowledge-Based Core Principles (0351)
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 07-08
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