Special Education GCP Specialization
The professional preparation program in Special Education is designed primarily to prepare highly qualified teachers to meet the needs of a diverse group of students in K-12 classrooms who may have a range of mild, moderate or severe disabilities. With an emphasis on preparing our students to create inclusive classrooms, the program also prepares prospective teachers to collaborate with parents, general education teachers, paraprofessionals and administrators in helping to ensure that every child has an opportunity to reach his/her full potential as a learner.
Special Education at Temple
Special education at Temple begins by valuing the diversity of individual learners and individual learning styles. The program aims to prepare teachers to view diversity as a resource not an impediment to learning for all students. Specifically, the Special Education Program shapes professionals for their duties as special educators by stressing the following goals:
- To produce teachers with a solid background in Special Education content, especially the knowledge and expertise applicable to K-12 students with various learning differences and disabilities;
- To develop an understanding of the importance of special education to the current public policy debates about educational access and equal educational opportunity;
- To develop sensitivity to the relationship between special education and general education in inclusive classrooms;
- To develop familiarity with the laws governing special education and the rights of children and their families;
- To encourage the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills for assessing and evaluating information and making informed decisions about students with disabilities;
- To promote an attitude of professionalism and a desire for growth as a professional.
Program Requirements
Special Education GCP Specialization [pdf] - See the Advising Sheet for detailed program requirements and prerequisites.
Advisors
Upon being admitted to the GCP, students will be assigned a faculty advisor in their teaching areas Shortly after being admitted, students should make an appointment with their advisors to plan their programs.
Retention in the Program
A student is expected to maintain satisfactory progress toward attaining a Masterīs in Education degree. Graduate students at Temple University:
- May earn no more than two grades of less than B- quality, beginning with the semester during which they apply to the Graduate School;
- May receive no more than one grade of "F," beginning with the semester during which they apply to the Graduate School;
- Must have at least a 3.0 grade point average at graduation;
- Must register for at least one course every fall and spring semester.
- May not graduate with an incomplete or a Not Recorded on their graduate record at Temple.
