Developmental Disabilities
Educators specializing in Developmental Disabilities (DD) provide personalized instruction using skills in assessing intellectual ability, adaptive behavior, academic achievement and functional skills while collaboratively designing effective instruction that promotes interdependence, productivity and inclusion in the community.
Join us soon for an online information session to learn more about all the ways you can pursue a Special Education licensure or degree!
What you can earn
- License
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Undergraduate Exceptionalities Minor
Where you will learn
- On campus (Minneapolis)
- Metro Locations
- Online
When to start
Courses offered year-round.
| License & M.A. | |
|---|---|
| Credits |
License: New Teachers: 45-49 | Current Teachers: 29-33 |
| Required Courses |
For the License: SPED 750 Fundamentals of Special Education: Exceptionality, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion For the M.A. (add the following): CIED 500 Principles of Educational Research New Teachers - Add MN Standards of Effective Practice Coursework |
| Schedule |
- Candidates for this degree have:
- A Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited institution
- A cumulative minimum undergraduate G.P.A. of 3.0 (4.0 scale). If below 3.0, please reference our special admissions policy.
- Submit the following application materials:
- Application form
- Two positive letters of reference from non-related individuals
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work (unless that work was completed at the University of St. Thomas)
- Submit transcripts to: Graduate Admissions, University of St. Thomas, Box 5, 1000 LaSalle Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403
- Personal statement.
- Submit the supplementary materials:
- Initial Licensure: MTLE Basic Skills required by the end of an initial teacher licensure candidate's first semester of coursework.
- Official test score
- Each of our programs uses an assessment to assist in making admissions decisions. Specific requirements can be found here.
- If you have questions regarding this requirement, please email us directly at education@stthomas.edu.
- International Applicants:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) required for any candidate whose primary language is not English.
- Transcript Review: All international transcripts must be reviewed by an accredited evaluation service to determine U.S. equivalency of the degree awarded and the institution awarding the degree. Applications will not be reviewed for admissions until the official review is submitted.
Ongoing Professional Development
The Department of Special Education and Gifted Education offers a wide variety of professional development opportunities throughout the year. Whether networking with leaders in the field at the annual Education for Everyone Event series or simply catching up on the latest tools and techniques, the School of Education provides lifelong learning opportunities. Most events include a CEU component. In addition to annual events, the department offers specialized summer institutes in the areas of Autism Specrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities.
Mentored Clinical Practice
The dedicated faculty in the Special Education and Gifted Education programs will work with you to ensure that your clinical practice experience (student teaching) will meet your needs and facilitate your growth, both personally and professionally. Throughout your time student teaching, regularly scheduled seminars with faculty and peers offer the opportunity to form a strong professional network as you prepare to enter the field and have a positive impact on K-12 students.
Community Partnerships
The School of Education takes pride in engaging in innovative partnerships with a variety of organizations. Students in the School of Education will find many opportunities for professional growth as a result of working with these organizations. Partnership examples include the Northwest Suburban Integration District, Center for Academics and Sports, FAIR School and the Collaborative Urban Educators program.