PreK-GRADE 8 PROGRAM GUIDE | GRADES 7-12 PROGRAM GUIDE | COURSE DESCRIPTIONS | FACULTY
As part of their course work, Point Park special education majors observe how teachers at The Watson Institute work with
pre-school students who have special needs. Read the feature story.
Faculty Profile
Associate Professor J. Kaye Cupples, Ph.D, has an extensive background in special education.
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Feature Story
Young adults with disabilities experience campus life at Point Park.
The Master of Education in special education leading to Pennsylvania certification is designed for educators who want to increase their marketability and prepare more fully to meet the challenges of today’s inclusive schools.
In the future, the PA Department of Education regulations will require that certification in special education be obtained as a dual certificate. That means that those individuals pursuing the PreK-8 special education certification will need to have elementary certification; those seeking the 7-12 special education certification will need to hold secondary certification. Point Park’s program enables all certified teachers to earn a Master of Education degree, while pursuing one of the two special education certifications.
The M.Ed. in special education is designed to enhance the skills of all teachers and provides a new means for teachers to acquire additional credits needed to obtain Level 2 certification.
Point Park’s 36-credit M.Ed. degree in special education is structured to fit the needs of classroom teachers and other professionals, with classes offered both on evenings and on Saturdays. Students select a focus of pre-kindergarten through grade 8, or grades 7-12.
Degrees Offered
The following degrees are offered in the Master of Education in special education program:
- M.Ed. in special education leading to PA certification in Pre-K through Grade 8
- M.Ed. in special education leading to PA certification in Grades 7-12
Course Offerings
Some of the courses in the special education graduate program include:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Special Education Inclusive Practices
- Instructional/Assistive Technology and Universal Design
- Differentiated Instructional Practices
- Student Practicum Experience
For a comprehensive list of program requirements and course descriptions, see the links to the program guides and course descriptions at the top of the page.
New Fall 2013: Tuition discount
Starting fall semester 2013, Point Park University is providing a tuition discount for all certificate and master's degree education programs. This tuition discount is approximately 34 percent below the standard rate for the master's degree programs and 27 percent below for the certificate programs.
New and returning education certificate and master's degree students will receive this lower tuition rate as follows:
- Discounted cost per credit: $520
- Discounted cost for a 3-credit class: $1,560
For more details on tuition and fees at Point Park for 2013-14, please visit our tuition and fees page.
Off-Campus Graduate Education Programs
Interested in pursuing this program at an off-campus location? Learn more about our off-campus graduate education cohort programs.
Videos: Graduate Education Programs at Point Park