The Masters of Education with a Severe Disabilities Endorsement is a unique program that caters to scholars who wish to work with a population of learners with the most high-intensity needs. Learners focus on physical, mental and intellectual disabilities and how they impact students in the classroom. Participants in the program will be challenged to broaden their understanding of special education and assist with removing barriers to education for those with disabilities.
Information on admissions and application to this program can be found on the University Graduate Admissions website and the program handbook.
The Severe Disabilities Program (30 credit hours) prepares individuals to work with students having severe disabilities from birth through grade 12. This program is for those interested in becoming endorsed in severe disabilities in the state of Maryland.
Program Handbook Program Sequence
Major competency areas addressed in the program include:
- Functional academic, community, and behavioral assessment
- Inclusion in general education classrooms
- Methods for accessing the general curriculum and alignment with Maryland Common Core Curriculum
- Universal design of learning/assistive technology
- Social and self-determination skills
- Advocacy & support to families of individuals with disabilities
- Collaboration among families and professionals
This option is ONLY for teachers with a special education certificate. Coursework and field experiences are offered to obtain Maryland State Department of Education endorsement in severe disabilities. This option requires individualized advising by a faculty member in Special Education-Severe Disabilities to determine the program of study. A copy of a valid MSDE Generic Special Education Certificate must be uploaded to the graduate application. This program can be done either as a full or part time student.