options are offered during the summer semester. Each course is outlined below with a brief overview of the qualifications for enrollment and the anticipated experience during the course. In fulfillment of program requirements, each candidate will complete one of the following courses:

See the MASPE Program Guide for more detailed descriptions of each course.

ESP 573: Practicum (3 credit hours)

Option 6 - The Option 6 teaching experience is designed exclusively for the MASPE candidate who currently (a) is employed in a regular (non-substitute), full-time position as a Special Education Teacher of record in a public school and (b) has a P-12 class or caseload of students who have IEPs for EBD and/or LD. It is the culminating experience for MASPE's alternative teacher certification (Option 6) program. The MASPE Practicum Teacher is supported, observed, and evaluated by a Mentor Teacher, who is full-time Special Education Teacher. The Mentor Teacher holds a Master degree in Special Education or related field and has had at least three years teaching experience as a Teacher certified in Exceptional Education. During the course of the semester, the Supervised Teacher completes several assignments that verify his or her knowledge, skills, professional dispositions, and cultural competence, at a Master level. The MASPE Practicum Teacher remains employed, in his or her current teaching position, during the practicum.

ESP 574: Supervised Teaching (6 credit hours)

The full-time, supervised teaching experience is designed for the MASPE candidate who has at least three years of experience as a professional educator, in a P-12 school, and is not currently a Special Education Teacher of record in a public school. It is at least 70 days of full-time supervised teaching in an elementary school, middle school, or high school setting, with students who have IEPs for EBD and/or LD. The MASPE Supervised Teacher is directly supervised by a Mentor Teacher, who is a full-time Special Education Teacher. The Mentor Teacher holds a Master degree in Special Education or related field and has had at least three years teaching experience as a Teacher certified in Exceptional Education. During the course of the semester, the Supervised Teacher completes several assignments that verify his or her knowledge, skills, professional dispositions, and cultural competence, at a Master level. The MASPE Supervised Teacher may not be employed during the school day, at a school or elsewhere, for the duration of Supervised Teaching.

ESP 575: Supervised Student Teaching (12 credit hours)

The full-time, supervised teaching experience is designed for the MASPE candidate who has at least three years of experience as a professional educator, in a P-12 school, and is not currently a Special Education Teacher of record in a public school. It is at least 70 days of full-time supervised teaching in an elementary school, middle school, or high school setting, with students who have IEPs for EBD and/or LD. The MASPE Supervised Teacher is directly supervised by a Mentor Teacher, who is a full-time Special Education Teacher. The Mentor Teacher holds a Master degree in Special Education or related field and has had at least three years teaching experience as a Teacher certified in Exceptional Education. During the course of the semester, the Supervised Teacher completes several assignments that verify his or her knowledge, skills, professional dispositions, and cultural competence, at a Master level. The MASPE Supervised Teacher may not be employed during the school day, at a school or elsewhere, for the duration of Supervised Teaching.

To qualify for either of the above clinical experiences, the candidate must satisfy each of the following conditions:

  • Graduate students must be candidates (i.e., admitted to the TEP) and must be in good academic standing for admission to the practicum, supervised teaching, or supervised student teaching.
  • Candidates should plan ahead for their practicum, supervised teaching, or supervised student teaching experiences with the understanding that none are offered during the summer semester.

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