M.S. in Literacy/Special Education (Childhood)

The dual masters in Literacy/Special Education (Childhood) is intended for teachers who are already certified in elementary education or childhood education. This degree prepares teachers to effectively serve students with disabilities and reading difficulties and is intended to prepare teachers to serve as consultant teachers.

One of the goals of this program is to help diminish the artificial distinctions between teachers of disabled and non-disabled students. Another goal of the program is to prepare expert consultant teachers. In this model, the student with disabilities is not removed from the regular class to be served full time in a self-contained class or part time in a “resource” room. The consulting teacher, trained to work with students with disabilities in the regular classroom, collaborates with the regular classroom teacher to accommodate the child’s needs in the regular program and also delivers instruction in the regular classroom, either individuals or in small instructional groups.

The program at Sage is relatively small, allowing faculty and students to work closely together. This advisor/student relationship begins when a faculty advisor and a student meet to develop a program tailored to meet the student’s educational needs and continues through all the student’s coursework, culminating in a project and portfolio.

All matriculated students complete a signed program schedule. Any change in stated coursework must receive written approval of the assigned faculty advisor.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Literacy/Special Education (Childhood) program must meet general admission requirements for Sage Graduate School and must be current certified teachers. In addition, applicants to the Literacy/Special Education program complete an:

• Interview with an appropriate advisor after all materials have been submitted
• Assessment of writing skills