Dr. Doreen N. Myrie, Interim Department Chair and
Assistant Professor of Special Education
P.O. Box 17870
Telephone: (601) 979-5872
E-mail: doreen.n.myrie@jsums.edu

Faculty
Dr. Doreen N. Myrie, Assistant Professor, Graduate Program Coordinator
Dr. Gwendolyn J. Williams, Associate Professor
Dr. Glenda Windfield, Assistant Professor
Dr. Dennis Williams, MAT Program Coordinator

Mission

Special Education is located in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) in the Department of Educational, Multicultural, and Exceptional Studies. The Special Education program offers the Master of Science in Education Degree (M.S.Ed.) in Mild/Moderate Disabilities and a Concentration in Visual Impairment. The Specialist in Education Degree (Ed.S.) with a concentration in Mild/Moderate Disabilities is offered. Special Education also offers courses for add-on endorsements in Mild/Moderate K- 12, Visually Impaired K-12, Gifted K-12 and Emotional Disabilities K-12. These programs are designed to prepare personnel to work with individuals eligible for special education services, professionals in school settings and other service provider agencies. Typically, graduates of these programs select careers as special education teachers, administrators, and practitioners at alternate placement agencies that serve individuals with special needs.

Accreditation

The Special Education Master’s and Specialist’s Programs at Jackson State University are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Additionally, the program’s standards are in compliance with the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).

Department of Educational, Multicultural, and Exceptional Studies Goals and Objectives

The mission of Special Education supports the broad mission of the University and the College of Education and Human Development. The mission of the College of Education and Human Development is to employ teaching, research and service within an urban learning community, and to the preparation of practitioners from diverse backgrounds for outstanding professional service through the development of solutions to potential or existing challenges facing urban institutions.

The Special Education program seeks to encourage and facilitate the efforts of candidates to acquire knowledge, skills, understandings, appreciations and attitudes necessary for effective interaction and instruction of individuals with disabilities. The instructional curriculum and learning experiences provide opportunities for candidates to develop competencies and attitudes that promote and actualize excellence in teaching and outcomes.

The objectives of the Special Education program are as follows:

• To prepare personnel for staffing special education positions in schools and other related human resource agencies.
• To offer candidates a comprehensive curriculum that incorporates a variety of experiences including: campus-based experiences (i.e. microteaching clinics, case studies, computer-assisted instruction) as well as field-based experiences (i.e. internships and tutoring).
• To facilitate candidates’ professional development by broadening the knowledge base as set forth in the curriculum by attending conferences, workshops, seminars and participating in collaborative activities with other community agencies (e.g. public schools, human resource agencies, and so forth).
• To enhance candidates’ ability to work with culturally, linguistically, and exceptionally distinctive populations through selected research, teaching, and field-based experiences.
• To accommodate candidates from various ethnic backgrounds and exceptionalities through an open, multicultural approach to special education personnel preparation.

Master’s Program Admission Requirements

Applicants for the master’s degree must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, and must be admitted to Jackson State University’s Division of Graduate Studies.  Refer to the Graduate Studies website for general admissions requirements and to access the online Admissions Pro Portal:  https://www.jsums.edu/graduateschool/

All applicants for a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree program in Special Education must:

1. Create an Admissions Pro Account and submit an application to the Division of Graduate Studies.
2. Submit official transcripts from all college and universities attended.
3. Submit three letters of recommendation from university faculty or supervisors familiar with your academic or professional work. 

Departmental Requirements

Applicants to the Special Education Graduate Program must also submit/complete the following application requirements: 

1. A letter of application to the M.Ed. Special Education Teaching Program faculty that includes an acceptable personal statement of goals for professional development.  
2. An “A” teaching certificate.  Applicants who do not hold the appropriate credentials or who are not eligible for the appropriate certification must  meet with program faculty and sign an acknowledgment of understanding form which confirms that they are aware that completion of the Special Education graduate level coursework will not lead to licensure.  
3. All required immunizations, specifically, candidate has had two (2) MMRs (Mumps, Measles, Rubella) in his or her lifetime and a Tetanus/Diphtheria immunization within the past two years.  For more Information, contact Student Health Services at (601) 979-2260.
4. Satisfactory completion of an interview with Special Education faculty. Interviews will be held for Fall admission during Spring Semester and Spring semester interviews will be held during Fall Semesters.
5. A 5-10 page academic writing sample that provides evidence of acquired writing competencies.
6. A professional portfolio that includes a resume, philosophy of education, samples of lesson/unit plans, et. 

Admissions Status

Candidates can be admitted as follows:

1. Applicants successfully meeting the admissions criteria with an undergraduate cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale may be admitted with a status determination of Full/Good Standing.
2. Applicants successfully meeting the admissions criteria with an undergraduate cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.50 to 2.99 may be admitted with a status of Provisional/ Conditional Standing.
3. Applicants not meeting the admissions criteria will not be admitted.

All applicants for a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree program in Special Education must first be admitted to the University by the Division of Graduate Studies. Applicants must:

1. Secure an admission packet (online) from the Division of Graduate Studies.
2. Submit two official copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

Course Requirements

The curriculum offerings are constantly being revised to meet new standards required by accrediting agencies.

Degree Requirements

Notes:

1. Matriculation forms must be developed in consultation with the designated department advisor.
2. All students must be approved by the departmental advisor to take the Graduate Area Comprehensive Examination.

Mississippi Add-On Endorsement

Area: Mild/Moderate (Code 224) 

Mississippi “AA” Add-On Endorsement

Area: Gifted [K-12] (Code 207)

Mississippi Add-On Endorsement Masters' Level Only

Area: Emotional Disabilities (Code 206)