M.A. Program

Certified elementary or secondary teachers may obtain an endorsement in learning disabilities (Code SM) by pursuing a master of arts in education degree with a concentration in learning disabilities (LD). Certified teachers not pursuing the master of arts in education degree may elect to pursue only the endorsement. All students, regardless of program choice, must meet basic core competencies in reading, mathematics, and psychology and must have completed a survey course in exceptionalities. Those lacking preparation in any of these areas will need to extend their programs beyond the normally required hours, in order to acquire these prerequisites.

The faculty adviser will direct the plan for each program and evaluate students’ undergraduate and graduate credits to pin-point any core area deficiencies and determine equivalencies of any prior work. These determinations will become the foundation for an appropriate plan of study.

Requirements

  • Students entering this preparatory program are required to have taught for at least one year.
  • Courses listed below are required of all students seeking either LD endorsement and/or the master's degree in LD.
  • Those seeking the endorsement are not required to take the research component.

Total Credits Required for Degree: 34-38

Tier 1 Courses: 12-15

  • ED 500 Educational Research** (3)
  • ED 560 Issues and Trends in Special Education (3)
    • Exempt if taken with prior endorsement and department approval
  • ED 561 Collaboration in Special Education (2)
  • ED 562 Introduction to Learning Disabilities (3)
  • ED 571 Diagnosis and Treatment of Reading Disabilities (4)
    • Approved by the State of Michigan to meet the PA 32 reading requirement for professional certification

Tier 2 Courses: 14-17

Note: All courses from Tier 1 must be completed before starting Tier 2

  • ED 558 Teaching of Reading: Methods for Students with Learning Disabilities (4)
  • ED 566 Classroom Management: Methods for Students with Learning Disabilities (3)
    • Exempt if taken with prior endorsement and department approval
  • ED 567 Teaching of Math: Methods for Students with Learning Disabilities (3)
  • ED 581 Oral and Written Expression: Methods for Students with Learning Disabilities (3)
  • ED 587 Assessment in Special Education: Methods for Assessing Students with Learning Disabilities (4)

Tier 3 Courses: 4

Note: All courses from Tier 1 and Tier 2 must be completed before starting Tier 3

  • ED 568 Internship for Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities (3)
  • ED 569 Seminar in Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities (1)
    • Note: ED 568 and ED 569 must be taken during the same semester

Capstone Project: 2-4

  • ED 574 Seminar in Educational Research** (2 cr.) OR
  • ED 599A Thesis** (2-8 cr.)

*Students who already satisfy these requirements, whether from undergraduate preparation or through another area of endorsement, would not be required to include them in their plan, and appropriate electives, if needed, would be substituted.

**These courses are not required for those seeking a LD endorsement only (33 credit hours).

Note: To obtain the additional endorsement in learning disabilities (K-12) from the State of Michigan, one needs to pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) in Learning Disabilities and file the appropriate application with at www.michigan.gov/moecs.