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

The SPED 5 Yr program is no longer available to incoming undergraduates as of the 2019-2020 academic year.

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 Credits: 3.00
EXED 520. Differentiation of Instruction and Assessment to Meet the Needs of Diverse Learners Credits: 3.00
EXED 600. Instructional Methods in Special Education Credits: 3.00
EXED 615. Transition of Learners with Disabilities into New Environments and Functions Credits: 2.00 - 4.00
EXED 637. Practicum in Remedial Elements of Special Education Credits: 3.00
EXED 650. Student Teaching in Special Education Credits: 3.00 - 6.00
EXED 650. Student Teaching in Special Education 4-6 Credit Hours
EXED 670. Professional Practice Seminar for Special Education Credits: 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 Credits: 3.00
EXED 584. Methods of Instruction for Students with Moderate/Severe Credits: 3.00
EXED 602. Communication, Language and Sensory Issues of Autism and Students on Adapted Curriculum Credits: 3.00
EXED 625. Medical and Technological Aspects of Working with Children with Significant Medical Needs Credits: 3.00
EXED 638. Practicum in Special Education Adapted Curriculum Credits: 1.00 - 3.00