Exceptional Student Education

PROGRAM OF STUDY: Florida State-Approved Program for Add-On Certification

This program provides in-depth preparation for individuals interested in gaining knowledge on pedagogical practices for students with special needs.

While aligned directly with the Florida Department of Education’s add-on certification requirements for exceptional student education, completion of the MS degree program does not ensure certification or licensure. Requirements to attain full certification are issued by each state department of education. Students are to refer to their respective State Departments of Education to determine specific certification/licensure requirements.

REQUIRED COURSES

Note: ESE courses above 600 will require waiver of some prerequisites.

TOTAL CREDITS: 36

• Satisfactory completion of all required coursework
• Successful completion of the Applied Professional Experience, including the portfolio, demonstrating competence with the Educator Accomplished Practices
• Cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher
• Completed Application for Degree

• Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) – Passing scores on the following areas: 
  • Professional Education Test (PED)
  • General Knowledge Test (GK)
  • Subject Area Exam (SAE) in Exceptional Student Education K-12
  • Evidence of student teaching experience, supervised teaching internship, or a minimum of one (1) year of full-time teaching experience in a K-12 school.

• Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) – Passing scores on the following area:
  • Subject Area Exam (SAE) in Exceptional Student Education K-12
    

The master of science in education degree program with a specialization in exceptional student education (state-approved in Florida) meets all requirements of the Florida Department of Education exceptional student education (grades k–12) add-on certification. 

Requirements to attain full certification are issued by each state department of education. Students are to refer to their respective State Departments of Education to determine specific certification/licensure requirements.

Florida participates in the Interstate Agreement on Qualification of Educational Personnel with 38 other states for teacher certification and/or licensure. Graduates of the program who wish to teach in another U.S. state or country may require additional eligibility criteria to qualify for licensure and/or certification in those locations. We are unable to confirm the licensure and/or certification requirements of other states or countries. Therefore, if you intend to pursue such credentialing in another state or elsewhere, it is advised that you to contact the applicable state or country credentialing authority for specific requirements to determine if this program meets the applicable eligibility criteria. If you have additional questions in this regard, please contact an advisor  to assist you in your career planning.

• Completed admission application packet, including a $50 nonrefundable application fee made payable to Nova Southeastern University.
• Official transcript indicating conferral of a bachelor's degree by a regionally accredited institution (2.5 minimum cumulative grade-point average required).
• Official transcripts from all previously attended postsecondary institutions.

Non-certification, Customized Program Option

This program is intended to permit students to concentrate on a disability-specific area of study or to study a combination of courses that best meets individual career objectives and needs.

The cum of 36 credit hours. Courses may be selected from options that carryustomized MS in ESE requires a minim the prefix of ESE, CBD, or EP (see course listings provided). Students will collaborate with an ESE faculty member and an Academic Advisor to develop the customized program of study. The finalized program represents a contract between FCE and the student; any changes or modifications to the program must be negotiated between the student and the ESE faculty member.

This customized program does not lead to certification; however, the completion of specific courses may meet individual state requirements for “add-on” endorsements and/or certification. Students are to refer to their respective State Departments of Education to determine specific certification/licensure and/or endorsement requirements.

REQUIRED COURSES

Customized (Selected) Courses: The remaining courses (minimum of 27 credits) are to be selected from the following categorical program options:

Note: Students may select from the full menu of courses available, including ESE courses offered as part of the certification programs. For the purposes of planning, disability specific courses are grouped by categorical area; additional ESE courses are listed following the categorical information. ESE courses above 0600 will require waiver of some prerequisites.

AUTISM

DEVELOPMENTAL/INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS

PREKINDERGARTEN DISABILITIES

ADDITIONAL EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION COURSE OPTIONS

Additional Endorsement

Students who seek an additional endorsement (add-on certification) in a content cognate area of study (e.g., TESOL or Reading) should refer to their respective State Department of Education to determine certification requirements. FCE requirements for content areas of specialization are published and can be located in the catalog. For additional information, contact your ESE faculty and/or Academic Advisor.

TOTAL CREDITS: 36

• Satisfactory completion of all required coursework;
• Successful completion of the Applied Professional Experience, including the portfolio, demonstrating competence with the Educator Accomplished Practices;
• Cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher;
• Completed application for degree.

This customized program does not lead to certification; however, the completion of specific courses may meet individual state requirements for “add-on” endorsements and/or certification. 

Graduates of the program who wish to teach in another U.S. state or country may require additional eligibility criteria to qualify for licensure and/or certification in those locations. We are unable to confirm the licensure and/or certification requirements of other states or countries. Therefore, if you intend to pursue such credentialing in another state or elsewhere, it is advised that you to contact the applicable state or country credentialing authority for specific requirements to determine if this program meets the applicable eligibility criteria. If you have additional questions in this regard, please contact an advisor  to assist you in your career planning.

The applied professional experience is one of many practical applications included in the exceptional student education specialization. It is the final step in the completion of the program. Conducted in an appropriate educational setting, candidates will maintain reflective journals and create files of samples of their students’ work and the assessment instruments used to demonstrate achievement of the state professional and content standards. All applied professional experiences are accompanied by portfolios detailing the rationale, process, and evaluation of the project.