Special Education for Children with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (Master's)
The Program
The program for teaching students with emotional and behavioral disabilities (EBD) provides training for teachers of students with EBD in the psychoeducational theoretical framework. Graduate students in the program gain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to facilitate effective instruction and improve outcomes for troubled students, grades K-8.
The full-time program for teaching children with EBD is a 39 credit hour, one-year program of study, wherein graduate interns complete a two-semester clinical internship during the school day and attend course work at night. This model is centered on the daily team-teaching experience at one of the three professional development schools (PDSs) partnered with the University.
The program prepares highly qualified educators to teach students with learning and emotional problems. Graduates of the program earn a Master of Arts degree in education and human development in special education for children with emotional and behavioral disabilities. The program meets requirements for licensure in special education K-12 in the District of Columbia.
Participate & Observe
Learn more about the field by observing the EBD classroom and talking with our faculty.
The Foundation Schools, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Monday, April 30, 2012
10am-2pm
To RSVP for one of the above events or to schedule individual opportunities, please contact Brian at
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.
Additional Options
For those students wishing to work with students at the secondary level, GSEHD offers an M.A. in Secondary Special Education and Transition Services.
Teacher Licensure
The Graduate School of Education and Human Development is nationally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and is approved by the State Education Agency-Board of Education of the District of Columbia. Students who complete the program and the required PRAXIS tests are eligible to apply for teacher licensure in the District of Columbia. Students are encouraged to investigate the licensure requirements for states in which they plan to work to determine current requirements.
What does Teacher Training Look Like?
Our full-time program prepares teachers of elementary-aged students with EBD in a PDS model. PDSs provide a clinical component to teacher preparation that mirrors a medical school model. Graduate interns are thoroughly immersed in school environments and become active in the daily operation of all aspects of the school program while taking university courses in the evenings. Each training classroom has a master teacher and a team of two graduate interns. Throughout the year, graduate interns practice:
- planning and delivering effective instruction,
- implementing positive behavioral interventions, and
- expressing qualities of professionalism and the skill of self-reflection.
This intensive training speeds up socialization to the field through having graduate interns experience “life on the front lines” with the guidance and interpretation of on-site master teachers. In addition, university faculty and staff provide supervision to each of the graduate interns bi-weekly, which includes observation of a lesson, anecdotal notes, videotaping, and immediate feedback. A weekly seminar accompanies this internship, serving several purposes:
- supporting the intern cohort
- sharing experiences
- teaching new concepts
- reexamining theory, and
- refining skills.
These are rigorous and demanding training experiences. The results, however, are that graduates are ready to assume the role of special educators as if they have a year of experience, rather than as neophytes. Graduate interns have the advantage of working with many professionals whose experiences and practices contribute to their developing philosophy and practice.
Who are our school partners?
The program for teachers of students with emotional and behavioral disabilities has partners in:
- Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
- Arlington County Public Schools, VA
- The Lourie Center, Rockville, MD
- The Ridge School, Gaithersburg, MD
- Foundation Schools, Gaithersburg, MD
- New Visions, MD
- The Frost School, Rockville, MD
How do I apply?
This program is full-time and begins in the summer semester each year. An interview will be requested upon completion of an application for admission.
Application Requirements
Tuition Support Information
Please ask a faculty member about specific funding opportunities for this program.
Program Location(s)
Primarily the Foggy Bottom Campus (DC) with field experience within the Professional Development Schools
Contact Information
Elisabeth Rice, Ed.D.
Program Coordinator
(202) 994-1535
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Faculty Bio
Karen Ihrig, Ed.D.
University Supervisor
(202) 994-5986
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Faculty Bio
Brian Ernest
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