This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.valdosta.edu.

Selected Educational Outcomes

  1. Candidates in special education/deaf education know the content that they plan to teach and can explain important principles and concepts delineated in professional, state, and institutional standards.
  2. Candidates in special education/deaf education understand the relationship of content and content-specific pedagogy and have a broad knowledge of instructional strategies that draws upon content and pedagogical knowledge and skills delineated in professional, state, and institutional standards to help all students learn.
  3. Candidates in special education/deaf education are able to analyze educational research findings and incorporate new information into their practice.
  4. Candidates in special education/deaf education assess and analyze student learning, make appropriate adjustments to instruction, monitor student learning, and have a positive effect on learning for all students.

Examples of Outcome Assessments

  1. Candidates in special education/deaf education will demonstrate content knowledge through passing the state-required content assessment in deaf education.
  2. Candidates in special education/deaf education will demonstrate pedagogical content knowledge and knowledge of evidence-based strategies through development of lesson plans identifying use of research-validated procedures and effective content pedagogy.
  3. Candidates in special education/deaf education will demonstrate skills in assessment, instructional strategies, use of technology, and monitoring/modifying instruction during observed teaching episodes evaluated by a university supervisor and P-12 mentor teacher.
  4. Candidates in special education/deaf education will demonstrate their ability to positively impact P-12 learning through completion of a capstone applied research project.

Prior to admission to any graduate program at Valdosta State University, applicants must first submit a completed application to the Graduate School. A completed application packet includes official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, official test scores (GRE or MAT), completed application form, fee, and any additional program requirements submitted by the admission deadline. To be considered for the preferred term, all required materials must be received by the Graduate School no later than the close of business on the deadline. It is the responsibility of the applicant to allow adequate time for document submission and to ensure receipt of documents.

Admission Requirements

M.Ed. in Special Education--Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (M.Ed. Track 1)

Applicants must:

  1. hold a B.S.Ed. in Special Education/Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Education from VSU;
  2. have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA or a combined undergraduate and graduate GPA of 2.75 or meet alternative pathway requirements;
  3. provide documentation of passing scores on the GACE Program Admission Assessment or documentation of an exemption (see the Graduate School website for exemption methods);
  4. provide documentation of completing the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment--Program Entry (Test 350) (to register, click here);
  5. provide documentation of a Level 2 on the American Sign Language Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) or an Intermediate on the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI); and
  6. submit a completed application packet to the Graduate School by the admission deadline.
M.Ed. in Special Education--Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (M.Ed. Track 2)

Applicants must:

  1. hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution;
  2. have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA or a combined undergraduate and graduate GPA of 2.75 or meet alternative pathway requirements;
  3. provide documentation of passing scores on the GACE Program Admission Assessment or documentation of an exemption (see the Graduate School website for exemption methods);
  4. provide documentation of completing the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment--Program Entry (Test 360) (to register, click here);
  5. have a transcript evaluation completed;
  6. provide two recommendations;
  7. provide a personal statement;
  8. hold a professional teaching certificate outside the field of Deaf Education;
  9. provide documentation of a Level 2 on the American Sign Language Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) or an Intermediate on the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI); and
  10. submit a completed application packet to the Graduate School by the admission deadline.

Program Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies

  1. The maximum time allowed for completion of the degree is seven calendar years. No work completed more than seven years prior to degree completion will be accepted toward the degree, except with special permission from the student's advisor and approval from the Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and Research.
  2. No more than 9 semester hours of academic work may be transferred from another institution into a College of Education and Human Services graduate program. Transfer credit will be evaluated after admission by the academic department.
  3. Earning grades below "B" in graduate courses will result in the following consequences: students will be dismissed from the Graduate School if they accumulate three or more academic deficiency points unless otherwise indicated by individual program policy. A grade of "C" (although it may be credited toward a degree) equals one deficiency point. 
  4. If dismissed from the program, a student must not be enrolled for two semesters. Application for readmission may be initiated during the second semester. Readmission is not guaranteed, and prior academic performance and student conduct/disposition in the program will be considered. The academic program reserves the right to place specific conditions and contingencies on any offer of readmission.

Program Completion Requirements

  1. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. No grade below a "C" will be credited toward the degree.
  2. Candidates must submit an application for graduation at least one semester prior to their expected graduation date.
  3. Candidates must attempt all Georgia state-approved educator certification assessments for their degree program and major.

Note: According to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), all candidates applying for a certificate in Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing are required to present passing scores on Georgia's state-approved educator certification assessment(s) for Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Valdosta State University Dewar College of Education and Human Services requires all candidates to take the appropriate state-approved assessment(s) in order to graduate, but the candidates cannot be recommended for certification until they successfully complete all coursework and pass the Georgia state-approved assessment(s) for certification in Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Requirements for the M.Ed. Degree with a Major in Special Education -- Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Education 

Track 1: for candidates completing a VSU B.S.Ed. degree with a major in Special Education–Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Education

Core Courses4
RSCH 7100Research Methodology in Education3
LEAD 7210Ethics and Law1
Area of Concentration32
DEAF 5010Student Teaching: Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing10
DEAF 5020Student Teaching Seminar: Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing2
DEAF 5310Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing to Deaf Students3
DEAF 5370Teaching Thinking Skills3
DEAF 5380Curriculum Development Instruction for Deaf Students4
DEAF 6000Integration and Management of Instruction in the Classroom3
DEAF 6010Integrated Instruction: Individualized Education Program3
DEAF 6020Audiological Considerations and Auditory/Oral Methods for Teachers of the Deaf4
Total Hours Required for the Degree36

Track 2: for individuals who hold professional teaching certificates in a field outside of Deaf Education

Core Courses7
EDUC 2999Teacher Education Requirements0
RSCH 7100Research Methodology in Education3
LEAD 7210Ethics and Law1
DEAF 6100Seminar: Deaf Education and Language Learning3
Area of Concentration20
DEAF 5310Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing to Deaf Students3
DEAF 5370Teaching Thinking Skills3
DEAF 5380Curriculum Development Instruction for Deaf Students4
DEAF 6000Integration and Management of Instruction in the Classroom (if certified in a field of special education at entry but not in a general education field) OR DEAF 6010 (if certified in a field of general education at entry but not in any special education field)3
DEAF 6020Audiological Considerations and Auditory/Oral Methods for Teachers of the Deaf4
DEAF 6030Internship in Teaching3
Required Endorsement 9
Reading Endorsement
READ 7010
Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties
READ 7100
Trends and Issues in Reading
READ 7130
Comprehension and Study Strategy Instruction
or
ESOL Endorsement
ESOL 6010
Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers
ESOL 6020
Cultural Perspectives for ESOL Teachers
ESOL 6030
Methods and Materials for Teaching ESOL
Total Hours Required for the Degree36