Special Education
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Applicants should gain volunteer or paid experience working with children with and without disabilities in schools and/or other settings (such as the SPED 460/560 practicum). Applicants should obtain letters of recommendation from their supervisors in these experiences and will be asked to reflect on them as part of the application process.
Prerequisite courses are available at PSU. Equivalent courses may be taken at community colleges or other universities. The prerequisites can be met by taking the courses listed below, by showing equivalent course work or experience, or in some cases by passing a test provided by the department that offers the course (e.g., music or math). Please attend a Graduate School of Education general advising session for further information.
Required Prerequisites
Highly Recommended
This two-week (6 credit) practicum is offered during the summer at the Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp. While living at the camp, students form teams to provide an outdoor recreation program for persons with severe disabilities
Applicants need to complete and include with their applications scores from either the Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) or California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). These are standardized reading, writing, and math skills tests. Applicants also need to complete and include in their applications scores from the ORELA Multiple Subjects Examination. Details regarding the testing requirements can be found at the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) website. TSPC requires that all teachers pass these exams prior to licensure. Note: successful completion of the Praxis exam for Special Educators (Knowledge-Based Core Principles) is also required by TSPC before licensure.
