Program: Exceptional Student Education (ESOL and Reading Endorsements), M.A.T. - University of South Florida

Apr 01, 2025

2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

College of Education
Department: Language, Literacy, Ed.D., Exceptional Education, and Physical Education

Major Contacts, Deadlines, and Delivery Information

This Major shares core requirements with the Exceptional Student Education, M.A.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Exceptional Student Education is a graduate major in Special Education for individuals teaching with temporary certification and/or individuals who hold an undergraduate degree in an area other than Special Education. The major leads to certification in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and endorsements in Reading and English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Students can be admitted to the major during any semester throughout the year; however, the Special Education core course sequence begins in the fall. Students in the M.A.T. benefit from an integrated curriculum taught in a sequenced core of ESE classes; mentors who are master teachers within the district that provide one-on-one mentoring for each major participant; and accelerated delivery of course content which allows for completion of the degree in one summer and three academic semesters. All students are required to conduct action research in their classrooms, investigating how they can more effectively use research-based interventions. This requires that students link theory and practice and encourages an inquiry approach to teaching.

*Students seeking to graduate from a state-approved teacher preparation program with embedded Reading and ESOL endorsements must attain passing scores on all portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE).
Students who graduate prior to attaining passing scores on all portions of the FTCE will not receive the state-approved teacher preparation program with respective endorsements statement on their official transcript.

Accreditation:

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) (Formerly NCATE)

Admission Information

Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.

A letter of application that addresses why the candidate desires to pursue a master’s degree in education.
At least one letter of recommendation from a person who has observed the candidate teach and/or work with children and youth.

Curriculum Requirements

Total Minimum Hours: 34 Credit hours

Shared Core Requirements – 6 Credit Hours
Additional Required Courses – 18 Credit Hours
ESOL Required Courses - 6 Credit Hours
Internship Courses - 4 Credit Hours

Please be advised that program and/or course requirements are subject to change, per state legislative mandates, Florida State Department of Education program approval standards, and accreditation criteria.

Shared Core Requirements: (6 Credit Hours Minimum)

EEX 6248 Instructional Approaches for Exceptional Populations Credit Hours: 3
EEX 6943 Practicum in Exceptional Student Education Credit Hours: 1-4 (3 Credit hours required for this program: 1 hour fall / 2 hours spring)*
*The successful completion of a comprehensive exam in the form of an action research project is required of all students in their final semester of the program and is completed while enrolled in EDG 6947 MAT Final Internship (see internship below).

Additional Required Courses (18 Credit Hours Minimum)

EEX 6051 Creating Positive Learning Environments for Students with Disabilities Credit Hours: 3
EEX 6224 Developing Individualized Educational Programs for Students with Disabilities Credit Hours: 6
RED 6514 The Reading Process in the Elementary Grades Credit Hours: 3
MAE 6117 Teaching Elementary Math Credit Hours: 3
RED 6365 Disciplinary Literacies and Reading Credit Hours: 3

ESOL Requirements (6 Credit Hours)

NOTE: The special requirements for ESOL endorsement through infusion are as follows: Successful completion of

TSL 5085 Theory and Practice of Teaching English Learners and TSL 5242 Language Principles, Acquisition & Assessment for English Learners
A 6-hour early ESOL field experience in ESOL 1.
A late ESOL field experience where students plan, implement, and evaluate lessons for one or more English learner(s) over a series of weeks.

Note: If a student obtains a state approved ESOL Endorsement prior to internship, consideration will be given to waiving TSL 5085 Theory and Practice of Teaching English Learners and TSL 5242 Language Principles, Acquisition & Assessment for English Learners with the appropriate program and college approvals. (In such cases, other credits would be taken instead to meet minimum program hours).

TSL 5085 Theory and Practice of Teaching English Learners Credit Hours: 3
TSL 5242 Language Principles, Acquisition & Assessment for English Learners Credit Hours: 3

Internship (4 Credit Hours)

EDG 6947 MAT Final Internship Credit Hours: 1-9 (4 Credits for this program)

Comprehensive Exam

A project is required to fulfill the comprehensive examination requirement and is completed while enrolled in EDG 6947 MAT Final Internship (4 Credits).

Tests and Examinations

All students must pass the following examinations*:
- Florida Teacher Certification Professional Education Test – must be passed prior to graduation.
- Florida Teacher Certification ESE Subject Area Test – must be passed prior to graduation.
- *Students seeking to graduate from a state-approved teacher preparation program with embedded Reading and ESOL endorsements must attain passing scores on all portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE).
  
  Students who graduate prior to attaining passing scores on all portions of the FTCE will not receive the state-approved teacher preparation program with respective endorsements statement on their official transcript.
Practicum Requirements: All students are required to register for and complete 3 total hours of practicum (listed above under core requirements). Students who are employed as an ESE-teacher, or as teaching assistant/paraprofessional may complete the practicum in the classroom where they are employed. Students who are not employed as a teacher or teaching assistant/paraprofessional will be placed in a classroom practicum setting with a mentor teacher in the local school district.
Internship Requirements: All students are required to complete a full-time semester long internship as a special education teacher or paraprofessional in a PK-12 classroom setting. The internship can be a supervised paid internship which an employed teacher can complete in his/her own classroom. If a student is not employed as a special education teacher or paraprofessional, he/she must complete the internship (non-paid) in a supervising teacher’s (Professional Practice Partner) classroom.
Please be advised that program and/or course requirements are subject to change, per State legislative mandates, Florida State Department of Education program approval standards, and accreditation criteria.