Special Education, Initial Teacher Certification, M.Ed.

The following tracks for a M.Ed. in special education utilize a pre-admission process.

• M.Ed in special education without initial teacher certification
• M.Ed in special education with initial teacher certification
• M.Ed in special education with certification as an educational diagnostician
• Educational diagnostician - certification seeking only. This track is for individuals who possess current teacher certification and an M.Ed.

Before you complete an application to Research and Graduate Studies at SFA, please contact Dr. Paige Mask (maskp@sfasu.edu) for a shared folder invitation that will allow you to electronically upload the pre-admission items listed below for your chosen M.Ed. or certification seeking only track. Each applicant’s pre-admission items will be reviewed by the program faculty members. Please do not submit a Research and Graduate Studies application before completing these requirements as the $50 application fee is non-refundable.

Pre-admission Items: M.Ed. in special education without initial teacher certification and the M.Ed. in special education with initial teacher certification.

1. Copy of undergraduate transcript and, if applicable, copy of graduate transcript
2. Initial teacher certification only: Complete and return a provided initial teacher certification seeking tracking form. A copy of this form may be obtained from Dr. Paige Mask (maskp@sfasu.edu). This certification tracking form will not be submitted until you are admitted to the program and enrolled in your first semester of coursework.
3. Three letters of recommendation (two of a professional nature and one can be a community member who has known you for some time). Please make sure these letters are signed.
4. Current résumé
5. A typed, double-spaced written statement (minimum three to five pages in length) describing your experience in the field of special education, your philosophy on educating students with special needs, and how personal qualities and educational experience would make you an exceptional candidate for the special education graduate program.
6. A video introducing you to program faculty members in a professional manner. This video is to be no longer than five minutes. A free video-recording resource is located at screencast-o-matic.com. Please include the following information in your video.
   1. Name
   2. Current employment
   3. Years of teaching experience and/or types of teaching experiences
   4. Teacher certifications (if applicable)
   5.  Qualities and competencies you possess that would make you a good candidate for our program and a future professional in the field
   6. Statement regarding your ability and motivation to participate in a rigorous program.

All pre-admission items will be uploaded to a shared folder (via invitation email sent by Dr. Paige Mask). In order to receive the shared folder invitation, you will need to create a free Microsoft account that uses your current email account. Directions for creating this account may be obtained from Dr. Mask. When your Microsoft account has been created and you are ready to upload your pre-admission items, please email Dr. Mask at maskp@sfasu.edu to request a shared folder invitation.

When the above items have been completed and submitted, you may be asked to participate in a short, online video-conferencing interview session in which you will be asked up to five additional questions. You will access this interview via a provided web link. Once this process is complete and you been notified of your acceptance to the program, you may apply to Research and Graduate Studies. The application can be accessed and submitted electronically online at sfasu.edu/graduate/101.asp. Please complete the application as a M.Ed.-seeking student. Please do not submit a Research and Graduate Studies application before completing these requirements as the $50 application fee is non-refundable.

Admission to any of the graduate special education programs is contingent upon admission to Research and Graduate Studies; therefore, a student applying to the graduate program must meet the criteria for admission to Research and Graduate Studies. Criteria for admission to Research and Graduate Studies include a 2.5 overall GPA for provisional admission and a 2.8 overall GPA for clear admission. The GRE is waived for individuals who hold a M.Ed. in a related field or for individuals with an overall or last 60 hours GPA of 3.0 or higher.
 

The following will be completed for Research and Graduate Studies:

• Application to Research and Graduate Studies that includes official transcripts indicating all college-level enrollment.
• A $50 application fee

Transcripts are sent to the following address:

Office of Research and Graduate Studies
Stephen F. Austin State University
P.O. Box 13024, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962