A new graduate level Masters in Special Education program will offer its first classes at UAS this summer.  UAS Special Education Program Director Dr. Thomas Duke said  “Alaska faces a severe and chronic shortage of certified special education teachers”.  Designed to meet this growing need for Special Education teachers in all of Alaska, the program will be offered to both local and distance students.  UAS currently offers a graduate certificate in special education which results in an Endorsement in Special Education from the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.  The new masters program allows students who complete this program to continue on and earn a Master of Education in Special Education.

The masters program consists of three additional 3-credit courses beyond the graduate certificate” said Duke.  Both programs are designed to meet the needs of working teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school-based personnel. All courses are offered in the evenings during the fall and spring semesters, and three 3-credit courses are offered each summer. Students enrolled in the certificate program have seven years to complete the requirements, though most complete it in far less time. “The graduate certificate program is 27 credits, and can be completed in 12 months” said Duke. “The masters program is 36 credits and can be completed in 18 months”.

Efforts to increase the number of special education teachers in the state are already underway.  According to Duke, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development “grants emergency waivers to certified teachers who have already completed nine credits in special education”. Under these conditions, the teachers can hold special education positions while they complete the requirements for the certificate. 

While many students in the existing certificate program are practicing teachers, some are also enrolled in teacher certification programs.  UAS Master of Arts in Teaching students are welcome to take special education courses concurrently, as are students in the undergraduate education programs.  Duke cautioned that the one-year M.A.T. program is very intensive, and completing the certificate in special education at the same time is unrealistic.  “Many M.A.T. graduates take three 3-credit courses in the same summer that they graduate from the M.A.T. program. They are then hired by the Juneau or other school districts as full-time special education teachers.”

Upcoming course syllabi (including textbooks) will be posted to UAS Online in late April or early May.  Anyone interested in either the certificate or masters level program is encouraged to contact Linda Smith at: Linda.smith@uas.alaska.edu.