Special Education - Fifth Year, General Curriculum K-12, M.A.T.

The SPED 5 Yr program is no longer available to incoming undergraduates.

The fifth year MAT program is a continuation of the undergraduate, pre-professional program in Special Education or Inclusive Early Childhood Education. Candidates completing these professional licensure programs must meet a set of content and endorsement-specific criteria that have been established by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

It is important for candidates to understand that they must meet the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and successfully complete all undergraduate pre-professional courses and experiences prior to being fully admitted to this M.A.T. initial licensure program. Candidates must have successfully completed the special education undergraduate pre-professional program at JMU and demonstrate satisfactory performance at each program evaluation point. This M.A.T. program includes a minimum of 30 credit hours of professional education course work on the graduate level. At least half of a candidate’s program of study must be taken at the 600 level. A comprehensive examination as approved by the graduate program director will be completed as part of this particular M.A.T. program.

General Curriculum K-12 Program

The General Curriculum program prepares JMU teacher candidates to be teachers of students with disabilities who are accessing the general curriculum in schools and working towards a standard or advanced high school diploma.

Fifth Year General Curriculum K-12 Program

Minimum Requirements

Other courses as determined by the individual needs of the candidate and upon approval of the adviser.

EXED 510. Systematic Behavioral Interventions 3.00
EXED 520. Differentiation of Instruction and Assessment to Meet the Needs of Diverse Learners 3.00
EXED 600. Instructional Methods in Special Education 3.00
EXED 615. Transition of Learners with Disabilities Into New Environments and Functions 2.00 - 4.00
EXED 637. Practicum in Remedial Elements of Special Education 3.00
EXED 650. Student Teaching in Special Education 3.00 - 6.00
EXED 650. Student Teaching in Special Education 4-6 Credit Hours
EXED 670. Professional Practice Seminar for Special Education 1.00 - 3.00

Total: 30-34 Credit Hours

Adapted Curriculum Focus

Students in the General Curriculum K-12 program may choose a focus in Adapted Curriculum. In addition to completing the required courses for General Curriculum K-12 students will also complete the 15 credit hours of Adapted Curriculum courses. Students who successfully complete the course in both the General Curriculum K-12 program and the additional credit hours in the Adapted Curriculum will be able to obtain Initial Teaching Licenses in General Curriculum K-12 and Adapted Curriculum K-12. Students adding this focus will complete one student teaching in a general curriculum classroom and the other in an adapted curriculum classroom.

Adapted Curriculum Focus Requirements

Required Courses
EXED 509. Nature and Issues of Severe Disabilities 3.00
EXED 584. Methods of Instruction for Students with Moderate/Severe 3.00
EXED 602. Communication, Language and Sensory Issues of Autism and Students on Adapted Curriculum 3.00
EXED 625. Medical and Technological Aspects of Working with Children with Significant Medical Needs 3.00
EXED 638. Practicum in Special Education Adaptive Curriculum 1.00 - 3.00