Gratz College is launching an online Master of Science degree in Special Education in Fall 2024. This coursework will equip teachers with practical knowledge to address learning diversity and the rapidly expanding needs of students within their classrooms.
The ten-course (30-credit) degree emphasizes both the student experience, and the teacher's role in instructional design, assessment and intervention. Five specialized courses prepare teachers for success in the contemporary landscape of special education. Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, it is appropriate for students seeking the Pre-K through Grade 12 Special Education certification in PA.
There is also a 15-credit (5-course) graduate certificate option for those who already hold a master’s degree or want to boost their skills in inclusive classrooms and expand their credentials for increased employment opportunities.
“The special education curriculum reinforces Gratz College’s commitment to supporting Pennsylvania teachers—and all educators eager to learn with diverse learners,” said Gratz President Zev Eleff. “In this way, the degree expands our offerings for secular private and public school teachers, as well as Jewish educators in day school settings.”
The initiative was spearheaded by Dr. Philip Moore, Director of the Master of Education and Master of Science in Teaching Practice degree programs at Gratz. In discussing the impetus for the degree program, Dr. Moore explains, “We’ve been hearing from our current education students that there is a great urgency to better address learning diversity within the classroom. The needs of students have been expanding—especially due to lost classroom time that occurred during the height of the pandemic. Our teachers need more tools in their arsenal.”
Prospective students are encouraged to apply now for acceptance into the program on a rolling admissions basis. Contact Dr. Philip Moore or Adrienne Nolan for more information.
Gratz College, a private non-profit institution based in the Philadelphia area, is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Founded in 1895, Gratz was the first independent college for Jewish studies in North America and has been educating educators for over 125 years. Today, Gratz enrolls a diverse population of students including both Jewish professionals and secular educators from across the United States and around the world. An early adopter of online education, Gratz's premiere graduate-level offerings include online master's degrees in preK-12 Education, Nonprofit Management, Holocaust/Genocide Studies, Jewish Studies, and the only M.A. in Antisemitism Studies in the United States. Doctoral degrees in Education Leadership and Holocaust and Genocide Studies are also available. In addition, Gratz College offers a wide range of graduate certificates, dual enrollment options for high schools students, and a robust continuing education program.