FAQs
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Concentrations M.S. Ed. in Special Education Administration |
Application (and pre-application) Questions
Q. How do I become matriculated into the Special Education Program?
A. A matriculated (degree-seeking) student is a student that has been accepted in a program of study. Some of the benefits of becoming matriculated included having the opportunity to:
1. Count all your courses taken towards your degree, if approved by your advisor. Taking courses while not being matriculated, may mean taking courses that will not count towards a degree, as only certain courses can transfer into degree programs when you matriculate.
2. Register for courses prior (3-7 days is typical) to non-matriculated students,
3. Meet (via in-person, phone, or email) with a program advisor to discuss various aspects of your program,
4. Attend Special Education Program events and take SED 601: Introduction to Student Programming and Master's Goal-setting so that you develop an accurate vision of what is expected from you during your program of study, and
5. Receive emails regarding upcoming events, reminders, and other pieces of information (via our program and/or advisor listserve).
Q. I am not clear on the admissions requirements. Do I need to take the GRE, MAT, or the PRAXIS?
A. No, your proof of teacher certification, provisional or professional, replaces the need to take any admissions testing.
Q. How many classes can I take before I actually apply to the program?
A. Non-matriculated students may take two courses (six credit hours) that they pass with a grade of 'B' or better prior to applying. Students may enroll in up to two courses for the semester in which they apply (for a total of four courses). Only courses taken within five years of application will be considered. Transfer credits are evaluated during the admissions process, so syllabi and course description of courses you want transferred in should accompany your application. If an applicant has questions on whether courses will transfer into a program or not, they should discuss the credit transfer with the Program Coordinator.
Q. What is my concentration or focus area?
A. Students have the following options:
* Gifted and Talented
* Teaching ALL Students
* Self-Design in Special Education
Course, Program, and Advising Questions
Q. Do I really need to schedule a meeting with my advisor?
A. It is very important that you meet with your advisor, especially at the beginning of your program and prior to your capstone courses at the end of your program. Advisors support students in developing their program of study to make sure they are planning to take courses when they are offered, so they can finish their program in their time frame. Advisors also approve of electives in programs of study. Taking a course for an elective without prior advisor approval, may result in the course not being accepted as an elective toward the degree.
Advisors are available to work with students in multiple ways (in office meeting, via phone, via email, etc). Please contact your advisor to schedule an appointment.
Q. How long do I have to complete my program of study?
A. You have five years from the date of your admission into the program.
Q. How can I register for classes? When can I register? How much will it cost?
A. You can search for the courses that you are interested in MaineStreet. Choose "Special Education" under the subject area. Here are some other helpful links:
* Registrar's office
* Methods of Registration
* Registration dates (Remember that there are different registration dates for courses, depending on whether or not you are a matriculated student.)
* Student Billing office
* Tuition and Fees
* Billing Calendar
If you are a non-matriculated student (non-degree seeking), it is possible you will not be eligible to take some special education courses. If you have any questions, you can contact the instructor directly to ask for permission to enroll. You will need written permission (an email is ok). Present this written permission to the Registrar's Office when you are ready to register.
Q. What happens if a class is "closed" or "cancelled"?
A. If a course is "closed", it means that it has reached it's capacity. The course search function will indicate course status by highlighting the course information in a gray-tone.
At this point, you can contact Kat Schorr, Program Manager for the Professional Education Department and she will add you to a wait list. If seats become available, then she will contact students on the wait list in the order that they are listed. If you do not hear from her by the second week of the class, then no seats are available, and you should consider other course options.
If a course has been "cancelled," it means that the course section is no longer offered that semester. Courses can be cancelled due to low enrollment or other factors. If you are registered for a course that has become cancelled, then you will be contacted as soon as possible by your USM email address and/or by phone. The course search function will indicate course status by highlighting the course information in a gray-tone.
Q. I will not be able to enroll in classes for one semester. Is there anything I need to be aware of?
A. The master's program has a continuous enrollment policy, which states that matriculated students must take at least six (6) credits a year to remain active in the program. If you decide that you cannot take courses or you have a medical/family reasons which prevent you from enrolling, then you need to send a written letter to your advisor informing them of your intentions.
Q. How do I find out if a course has prerequisites?
A. This information is typically printed in the course schedules. In the Special Education Program, the following courses have prerequisites:
* SED 601: Intro. to Student Programming and Master's Goal-setting - Matriculated or application submitted
* SED 682 Special Education Law - prerequisite is SED 540
* SED 688 Internship in Special Education – advisor permission
* SED 685 Advanced Seminar – instructor permission
* SED 697 Universal Design Implemented – instructor permission
* SED 698 Capstone Seminar and Portfolio - must be taken last in program
* SED 699 Directed Study – instructor permission
Additionally, students who wish to take EDU 600: Research Methods must be matriculated.
Professional Portfolio Questions
Q. What is the Professional Portfolio and what do I need to do for it?
A. The Professional Portfolio is the culmination of all of your effort and study in the Master of Science in Special Education Program. The purpose of the portfolio is to provide an opportunity for students to reflect upon the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the program. Components of the Portfolio are aligned with the Council for Exceptional Children’s Teaching Standards. The guidelines of the Professional Portfolio can be found at http://www.usm.maine.edu/cehd/Special-Education/files/Port-Req-08.pdf.
Q. What portfolio guidelines do I follow?
A. Students follow the guidelines that they were accepted under (different years have different guidelines). Detailed information is available to students on student orientation night. If you are unsure, please contact either Kat Schorr or your advisor.
Useful Information regarding ID cards, parking, blackboard, library access, etc.
Check out this handy guide to services for students such as parking, textbooks, accessing your e-mail account and BlackBoard, and other important services.
New to USM or Online Learning
http://www.usm.maine.edu/cehd/Online/files/New-to-USM-or-Online-Learning.pdf
