Program Description: The master's degree program in special education and gifted education provides advanced graduate preparation for general education teachers seeking Teacher of Students with Disabilities licensure and the Rutgers Graduate Certificate in Gifted Education. This program prepares educators to meet the needs of exceptional students in educational settings.
NJDOE requires a standard Instructional Certificate or Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) in a subject area other than English as a Second Language to issue a TOSD certification. Therefore this program is only available to applicants who hold an instructional certificate other than ESL.
Course work addresses the instructional needs of students with mild and moderate disabilities and the academic and affective needs of gifted learners. The 36-credit program is composed of a special education core (21 credits) and a gifted education core (15 credits).
The special education core develops competencies in the assessment and remediation of students with learning disabilities, collaborative teaching/consultation skills, and knowledge about New Jersey special education law.
The gifted education core develops competencies in the foundational knowledge and standards of the field, collaborative and responsive teaching, evidence-based instructional strategies, development of specialized curricula, and the design and improvement of programs and services for gifted learners.
Students not interested in pursuing a master's degree but interested in obtaining the Teaching Students with Disabilities endorsement should apply for admission into the 21-credit non-degree program. A students working on the non-degree program who later decides to be in the master's degree program must seek admission to the degree program prior to completing 12 applicable credits.
Education Requirements:
Special Education Core (21 credits)
05:300:480 Literacy for Students with Disabilities (3)
15:293:522 Learning Disabilities (3)
15:293:523 Inclusive Teaching in Education or 05:300:481 Materials and Methods in Special Education (3)
15:293:525 Psychology of the Exceptional Child or 05:300:383 Introduction to Special Education (3)
15:293:533 Assessment and Measurement for Special Education (3)
15:293:534 Classroom Organization for Inclusive and Special Classrooms (3)
15:299:516 or 05:300:495 Literacy Development in the Elementary and Middle School (3)
Gifted Education Core (15 credits)
15:294:531 The Gifted Child or 05:300:320 Introduction to Gifted Education (3)
15:294:532 The Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children or 05:300:320 The Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Learners (3)
15:294:533 Curriculum and Instruction for the Gifted (3)
15:294:534 Gifted Program Development (3)
15:294:542 The Twice-Exceptional (2E) Learner (3)
Master of Education (Ed.M.) Programs with State Certification 
