The special education program is committed to preparing knowledgeable, effective, and ethical K-12 license-eligible special educators to teach and serve diverse students with disabilities and their families. The program is grounded in the philosophical position that teaching is an act of transformative social justice, operationalized and actualized through the practice of personalized teaching and learning. This unique approach to educator preparation centers on individual strengths, cultural identities, and the assets inherent in every student and teacher as the cornerstones of meaningful learning and transformative teaching.
The program balances rigorous training in evidence-supported educational practices with robust two-semester clinical supervision experiences and consistent opportunities for self-reflection and awareness of self as teachers. By way of a cohesive synchronous cohort experience, program graduates develop the knowledge and skills to deeply understand their students, themselves, curriculum, assessment, colleagues, and communities. The program leads to a master of arts in education and human development and eligibility for District of Columbia special education teaching licensure for students in grades K-6 or 7-12.
Visit the program website for additional information.
The following requirements must be fulfilled: 36 credits in required courses, successful completion of the master of arts in education and human development comprehensive examination, and completion of the relevant teacher licensure assessments (see below).
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| SPED 6200 | Foundations of Reading Instruction | |
| SPED 6201 | Overview of Legal Issues in Educating Students with Disabilities | |
| SPED 6202 | Researching Current Trends in Special Education | |
| SPED 6203 | Research and Practice of Diagnostic Reading for Students with Disabilities | |
| SPED 6204 | Analysis of Personalized Teaching for Professionals Working with Students with Disabilities | |
| SPED 6210 | Universal Design for Learning and Assessment | |
| SPED 6233 | Culturally Responsive Curriculum in Special Education | |
| SPED 6260 | Developmental Assessment in Special Education | |
| SPED 6288 | Understanding the Characteristics and Needs of Students with Disabilities | |
| SPED 6290 | Affective Development and Behavior Management for Teaching Students with Disabilities | |
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| SPED 6990 | Practicum in Teaching Students with Disabilities | |
| SPED 6991 | Internship in Teaching Students with Disabilities | |
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