Are you seeking Master’s in Special Education degree programs in New Hampshire to further advance your teaching career in educating students with exceptional learning needs? Well, you have come to the right place because the “Granite State” has two top-notch universities that offer programs in special education that have been given the stamp of approval by both the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).
Despite being located in the northeastern New England region as the 5th smallest state in the nation, New Hampshire has some of the largest ski mountains on the East Coast and plenty of schools that are creating demand for qualified special education teachers. Whether you are born and raised or considering moving to the state, the following are the accredited graduate programs in special education that can help you get on the right track to making a difference in the lives of students with special needs.
Note: Those interested in distance learning programs should consult our recommendations for Online Master’s in Special Education.
Keene State College
Department of Educator Preparation
As the comprehensive public liberal arts institution of New Hampshire with an enriching community of more than 5,000 students, Keene State College is situated on an urban 150-acre campus in Keene within the heart of the state’s Monadnock region. Considered among the top schools in the state for hands-on learners as students rack up more than 415,000 hours in community service annually, KSC is currently ranked as the 87th best college and 24th top public school in the North by the U.S. News and World Report. Within the School of Professional and Graduate Studies, the Department of Educator Preparation is committed to engaging future teachers in thoughtfully designed and incrementally challenging learning opportunities in field experiences to meet national and state standards.
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education
Designed for graduate students who seek certification by the New Hampshire Department of Education in General Special Education for grades K-12, the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education program track supports individuals to achieve certification at the initial level as well as enhance competence for extended learning beyond certification competencies in the area of special education. Combining certification coursework with professional leadership experience that culminates with the implementation of a school-based research project demonstrating students’ area of expertise or leadership capacity, the program is intended for candidates who are already certified or certifiable in another area of education.
As a portfolio-based program that blends special education content knowledge with a year-long internship experience in an approved school setting, the main mission is to assist teachers with applying special education knowledge and skills so that they can effectively educate students with disabilities the academic, social, and transitional skills needed to become productive citizens. Although structured as a 36-credit hour program for completion in one year full-time or two years part-time, students who have graduated from the KSC Early Childhood or Elementary and Secondary Education programs will have already addressed the fundamental certification competencies and will be placed on an accelerated pathway of fewer credits.
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification in Special Education
Ideal for individuals who hold a Bachelor’s degree and are seeking teacher certification in General Special Education for grades K-12, the Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification program in Special Education enables students to pursue initial teacher certification alone or in conjunction with a Master of Education degree. Since those in this program are pursuing certification only without obtaining a Master’s degree and will not need to complete the demonstration of professional leadership component of the degree, the program begins each summer as a cohort group for completion within just one year of post-baccalaureate studies for a total of 20 to 26 credit hours.
Following the standards set forth by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), the certification program involves coursework covering the topics of curriculum development, instructional design, positive behavior supports, assessment, evaluation, transition planning, programming, and foundations in special education. Prior to receiving certification through the State Department of Education, teachers must demonstrate competency to educate students with disabilities via a year-long internship. As with the Master of Education degree, this is a portfolio-based program that consists of the seamless integration of special education content knowledge with school-based field experience can be completed on the job or in a public school setting approved by the faculty coordinator.
Accreditations
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
New Hampshire State Board of Education (NHSBE)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
Rhodes Hall Room S111
229 Main St.
Keene, NH 03435
(603) 358-2234
[email protected]
https://www.keene.edu/academics/graduate/education/specialed/
Plymouth State University
Department of Educational Leadership, Learning, and Curriculum
Situated on a 170-acre campus with the classic New England look combined with all of the latest state-of-the-art learning facilities in a distinctively rural setting, Plymouth State University is a regional comprehensive public institution that offers a student-focused learning environment with the enrollment of more than 7,300 students. Well-known for its wide range of academic programs providing 55 undergraduate majors and 75 graduate degree options, PSU is currently ranked as the 111th best college and 35th top public school in the North by the U.S. News and World Report. The Department of Educational Leadership, Learning, and Curriculum is strongly focused on delivering dynamic, innovative, and cutting-edge programs that prepare students to be transformative leaders in a variety of academic-related settings.
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education
Aligned with the standards presented by the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC), the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education program is designed for aspiring teachers who are interested in the General Special Education certification for teaching students with physical, emotional, and mental disabilities in grades K-12. Throughout the 36-credit degree program, students and faculty members will address the issues of human development, characteristics of learners, learning differences, special education law, language, classroom management techniques, survey of exceptionalities, assessment, and instructional strategies. As a result, the overarching mission of the program is to enhance the skills of graduate students to enable them to become outstanding leaders, advocates, change agents, and researchers to advance understanding of special education in their work environment and the field.
In addition to the General Special Education K-12 Certification option, educators can participate in a Master of Education in Special Education program without pursuing certification or a Fifth-Year General Special Education K-12 Certification for just one year of studies. For graduate students who are already certified in K-12 Special Education and have at least three years of teaching experience, there is also a K-12 Administrator Certification program for those destined for leadership in the profession. Graduate students are welcome to pursue a post-master’s following the completion of the program as well, which can further a career with a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Special Education Administrator K-12 Certification.
Accreditations
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
New Hampshire State Board of Education (NHSBE)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
Rounds Hall MSC 38
17 High St.
Plymouth, NH 03264
(603) 535-2121
[email protected]
https://www.plymouth.edu/academics/graduate-academic-programs/masters/special-education/
As better screening and identification of various disabilities in children are expected to increase the need for qualified special education teachers with a Master’s degree and specialized certification, it is an excellent time for those aspiring to work with students with a wide range of disabilities to enroll in a degree program. Therefore, it is highly recommended that aspiring special educators further investigate these Master’s in Special Education degree programs in New Hampshire to locate the one that is the perfect match for your academic and career goals.
