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Cal Poly Pomona

Master of Arts (M.A.) Degree in Education
Special Education Emphasis

Note: Master’s candidates are advised to read and familiarize themselves with all policies and procedures as delineated in the University Catalog, Graduate Studies and the Graduate Studies website.

The Master of Arts in Education is an advanced degree offered at Cal Poly Pomona. A minimum of 45 quarter units of acceptable graduate level work must be completed to earn the degree. Thirty-two (32) units of course work must be taken in residency. There are six emphases available within the M.A. program: Curriculum & Instruction; Curriculum & Instruction - Heritage Languages; Curriculum & Instruction - Design-Based Learning; Educational Multimedia; Special Education; Educational Leadership. Candidates interested in emphases other than Special Education are advised to contact the Administrative Assistant for the Master’s Program, Kelly Mitchell, klmitchell@csupomona.edu.

Program Information for Special Education Emphasis

The Master of Arts Degree (with emphasis in Special Education) offers advanced preparation in the areas of mild/moderate and moderate/severe disabilities. Required and elective special education courses are closely related to course requirements in the Preliminary Level I Credential (500-level courses - 551; 553 or 555; 582; 556) and the Professional Level II Credential Courses.

Please Note: The Master of Arts Degree (Special Education emphasis) alone does not provide authorization for classroom instruction in the State of California. The Level I and Level II Credentials provide the required state authorization for teaching in the candidate’s selected area of emphasis (mild/moderate or moderate/severe).

Steps to Apply for Admission to the M.A. Program in Education:

Meet the following prerequisites:

  1. Bachelor of Arts Degree from an accredited institution and
    • Teaching Credential (Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Education Specialist) or current enrollment in a credential program. Students are to apply for admission to the graduate program at the conclusion of their first block of directed teaching, and
    • Minimum GPA of 3.0, and
    • Passing score on the Graduate Writing Test (GWT)
    • Foreign students must have a TOEFL score of at least 580.
  2. Complete the “Petition to Change Graduate Degree Objective” form (distributed in Level II/Master’s Degree Orientation). Turn in the Petition form, your GWT documentation, and three letters of recommendation to Kelly Mitchell (Bldg. 5-226).
  3. If you have not taken or have not passed the GWT, arrange to take it the quarter prior to your admission to the graduate program.

Once you receive the official letter of admission to the graduate program, make an appointment with Dr. Hoang to complete a Program Plan for the Master of Arts in Education contract.


If you are not currently enrolled at Cal Poly Pomona:

  1. Meet the prerequisites specified above.
  2. Fill out the CSU Graduate Application (online at www.csumentor.edu).
  3. Once you have received your letter of admission, make an appointment with Dr. Thien Hoang to complete an MA Program Plan.

 

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