Graduate Programs - Special Education | Graduate Certification

Program Highlights in Brief
Alvernia is a Catholic, Franciscan college dedicated to the ideals of service in the helping professions. Our rich heritage of service is rooted in our strong faith which resonates in contemporary ways in campus life and our academic programs. Alvernia's graduate programs are designed for the focused working professional who places equal value on intellectual achievement and professional growth. Our faculty and staff are committed to teaching, guiding, and supporting our students in all aspects of their experience at Alvernia, from course selection and scheduling, to connecting with peers and colleagues.

The Special Education Graduate Certification curriculum prepares graduates to effectively deal with those students with "special needs" that are included in the regular classroom, along with preparing them to teach students in most special education classrooms Kindergarten through twelfth. The program focuses on a value-centered approach toward the preparation of caring, uniquely-qualified candidates to address the needs of diverse populations in today's schools. It is strongly recommended that students seek dual certification in either Elementary or Secondary Education in order to be "highly qualified" to teach in the state of Pennsylvania.

Academic Quality
Students are admitted to the College and are fully accepted into the Special Education Graduate
Certification Program when the following criteria have been met:

• Successful completion of undergraduate coursework
• Six (6) semester credit hours (or the equivalent) of undergraduate     mathematics
• Six (6) semester credit hours (or the equivalent) of undergraduate English     composition and British or American literature
• Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher
• Successful completion of the PRAXIS I Tests
• Completion of graduate entrance application with supporting     documentation

Education students complete two field placements and a student teaching experience. All coursework must be completed prior to student teaching. Applicants for the student teaching assignment must have the approval of the Education Department and an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Career Success
At Alvernia we measure our success by our graduates' personal and professional satisfaction, and by the ways they contribute to the greater good in all areas of society. Our graduates are employed in virtually all schools in Berks County, and in many schools throughout the middle Atlantic region. No matter what your aspirations and dreams, we'll give you the tools and support to help you thrive.

Career Success
Education Consultant
Education Management Specialist
Educational Researcher
Educational Resource Coordinator
Education and Training Administrator
Resource Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Textbook Writer


Curriculum Overview

Special Education Teacher Certification Requirements
MED 505 Introduction to Special Needs Students*
MED 508 Advanced Educational Psychology*
MED 515 Strategies for Special Education/Inclusive Classroom
MED 535 Issues Concerning Special Education Programs
MED 545 Classroom Management for the Inclusive Classroom
MED 605 Enhancing Literacy for Special Needs Students
*These classes are to be taken prior to those listed below them

In addition to demonstrated competency in the core and concentration courses listed, an
Instructional I candidate needs to complete:
MED 522 Field Experience (Practicum I)
     - Minimum 30 clock hours of field work to be completed in conjunction with MED 501
MED 523 Field Experience (Practicum II) 1 credits
     - Minimum 30 clock hours of field to be completed in conjunction with MED 515
MED 670 Student Teaching
MED 672 Student Teaching Seminar

- It is strongly recommended that Special Education not be taken as a stand-alone certification unless the candidate already has either an elementary or secondary certification.