Who can enter into a Graduate program in Special Education?
Students who have completed a Bachelor's degree and who hold a valid teaching certificate may plan a program for endorsement in Adaptive Special Education or Gifted.

What is the first step to setting up a program?
The first step is to contact the Graduate School (785) 628-4236, and obtain an application for admission to Graduate study.

What is included in the application for admission to Graduate study?
Theapplications consists of:

• A personal information sheet containing academic background information.
• A hand-written statement from the student addressing his/her reason for wanting to begin a program in Special Education.
• Two outside personal recommendations to be filled out and provided to the Graduate School.
• Inclusion ofall transcripts where the student has completed coursework.

After submitting an application for admission, what is the next step?
The Department of Special Education receives the completed application and will review its content before approving or disapproving it.

What is the department looking for in order to approve the application?
Your assigned advisor will look for a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 hours of coursework. The recommendations will be reviewed as well as your personal statement concerning your reasons for seeking a program in Special Education.

Are there any pre-requisite courses required before entering into a program?
SPED 601 - Educating Exceptional Students. This course does not have to be completed before beginning the graduate courses included in the program. However, we suggest that you take it early in your program time.

What if I have taken the pre-requisite course from another college or university?
We will accept the completion of this course from an outside academic institution providing that it is an equivalent substitute. If we have questions, our department will ask for a syllabus from the outside institution so we can compare the equivalency to the course offered by Fort Hays State University.

Can other courses be substituted in the same manner?
Yes, we will accept coursework that may be included on our adaptive special education program providing that the course is an adequate substitute. Once again, we may request a syllabus.

How many hours are included in the Adaptive Special Education endorsement program?
It is a 32 hour program. (See our adaptive special education program form posted in the program category of this site.)

Is the Adaptive Special Education program the only option?
No, Fort Hays State University provides a Gifted Program. (See our gifted program posted in the program category of this site.)

Can I begin to teach in a Special Education classroom before completing the 32 hour program?
Yes, you can begin teaching with a provisional endorsement in Special Education.

What are the requirements to obtaining a provisional endorsement?
The requirements for a provisional endorsement are the completion of the following courses:

• SPED 601 - Educating Exceptional Students (3 hrs)
• SPED 804 - Behavior Management in Special Education (3 hrs)
• SPED 801 - Legal/Professional Issues in Special Education (2 hrs)
• SPED 802 - Theories of Exceptionalities in Special Education (4 hrs) ·
• An Educational Strategies in Special Education (BD, LD, MR) (2 hrs)
• A practicum in Special Education (BD, LD, MR) (2 hrs) (The educational strategies course and practicum course must be in the same area.)

After completing these 16 hours of coursework, Graduate students can apply to the State of Kansas for a provisional endorsement in Special Education.

How long can I work on this provisional endorsement?
The initial endorsement is good for two years. The endorsement can be renewed for an additional two years providing there has been progress towards completing the program.

Is there a certain time frame for completing the program?
In order to obtain a Master's degree, the time is limited to six years. If seeking a full endorsement in Special Education the time is not limited to six years.

What is the difference between the Master's degree program and the endorsement program?
Basically the required coursework is similar for both programs. Both require 32 hours with the same pre-requisite. A research course is necessary when obtaining a Master's degree.The Master's degree program necessitates the completion of comprehensive exams or the completion of a written thesis within the six year time frame.

I've heard about teaching Special Education with a waiver. What is a waiver?
The state of Kansas has approved a Quality Performance Waiver to teachers who are currently working towards a certification in Special Education. It allows the teacher to begin teaching before the provisional endorsement courses have been completed.

What are the requirements for obtaining a Quality Performance Waiver?

• You must hold a valid teaching certificate with the State of Kansas.
• You must be admitted to an approved program (Graduate School admission as discussed before).
• You must be currently enrolled in a required course included on the approved program.
• An outlined plan of study form must be completed by Fort Hays State University.
• An appropriate application initiated from the school district in which you plan to teach must be completed.

How long can I teach on a Quality Performance Waiver?
The waiver certificates are good for only one school year and renewable for an additional 2 years. Proof of progress towards completing the program must be presented upon renewal.

What is the endorsement level of the Adaptive Special Education program?
The 32 hour endorsement in Adaptive Special Education is at the "PreK-12" endorsement level.

Do I have to take a subject-area test in order to be endorsed?
Yes. Those applying for a full endorsement after September 1, 2003, must take a content test in the area they are applying for before they can receive their endorsement. It was "no fault" until September 1, 2004, since which time a cut score has been required. An endorsement in Adaptive Special Education will require the completion of Core Content Knowledge (0353) and Education of Exceptional Students: Mild to Moderate Disabilities (0542) tests. For more information concerning the scheduling of these tests, you can contact the Licensure Office at Fort Hays State University, 785-628-4542.