ASSET ProgramMaster’s Degree in Special Education Mild to Moderate Disabilities with Certification

The demand for special education teachers currently outpaces the supply in our region and across the country. The Advancing Special - education Services through Excellence in Teaching (ASSET) Program leads to certification in mild to moderate disabilities with the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and is designed to meet your needs as a professional special educator.earning this degree, you will be ready to enter a special education teaching job in k-12 school classrooms. You'll focus on how to best help educate students with learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral disorders, mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, and orthopedic and health impairments. This plan is appropriate for individuals who are not already certified in special education. Candidates in this program of studies are required to demonstrate content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and skills, and professional knowledge to be eligible to enter student teaching or internship placements. These are demonstrated through candidate performance on key assessments embedded in specific classes.The M.Ed. degree is designed for:

Individuals who are certified elementary, middle, or secondary teachers pursuing advanced knowledge in the area of special education and wish to become teachers in inclusive classrooms.

Individuals who hold an under- graduate degree in a non-education area who seek a career change.

Students in this degree program will participate in the Teacher Intern Preparation Program (TIPP) as an alternative pathway to certification. The TIPP internship is a cooperative venture between NAU’s College of Education (COE) and the Arizona Department of Education.

This program is nationally recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and is the only program of its kind in Arizona nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP).

M.Ed. in Special Education with Certification

Dr. Patricia PetersonProgram Director

928-523-5193

[patricia.peterson@nau.edu]

Dr. Russell PrustChair, Education

Department928-317-7621

[russell.prust@nau.edu]

NAU-Yuma Branch Campus

2020 S. Ave. 8EP.O. Box 6236

Yuma, AZ 85366928-317-6450

Master’s Degree in Special Education Mild to Moderate Disabilities

with Certification

Applicants for the M.Ed. in Special Education with Certification will:

Contact the Program Director to review program requirements, verify eligibility, and develop a

Program of Study;

Apply for the TIPP internship: nau.edu/COE/TIPP/.

Register and pass the NES Special Education exam (#601).

For the internship, obtain a position as a special education teacher in a district.

Contact NAU-Yuma Student Service Center to apply for financial aid;

Apply for TEACH grant https://nau.edu/office-of-scholarships-and-financial-aid/teach-grant/.

Admission Criteria:

1. Bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0

2. ENG 101 & 102, with a minimum combined GPA of 3.0

3. College Algebra or an approved math course with a minimum grade of C. You will need to provide an

unofficial transcript with this grade.

4. One lab science course with a minimum grade of C. You will need to provide an unofficial transcript with

this grade.

5. Admission to NAU.

6. A copy of IVP Fingerprint Clearance card.

7. Application to program through the Northern Arizona University Graduate College:

https://www.applyweb.com/northazg/index.ftl.

8. A transcript that verifies your final undergraduate GPA.

9. Attendance at a cohort orientation meeting.