Additional Masters-level programs are available to students who hold initial certification in other teaching areas, but wish to receive a M.Ed. and certification in Interrelated Special Education or in Intellectual Disabilities. Georgia State University College of Education Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education Atlanta, GA The Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education at Georgia State University offers a wide array of degree and certification programs at the graduate level. Certification may be pursued in conjunction with a Master's Degree in Special Education. Applicants with an undergraduate background in fields other than education take a program of prerequisite coursework, which prepares them for courses in the certification areas. All special education programs at Georgia State University place strong emphasis on the use of research-validated strategies for students with disabilities in both inclusive and special education settings.
All courses have a strong field-based component.
The cross-categorical model emphasizes the similarities and highlights the differences among students with disabilities. It also addresses working with students with diverse learning needs who have not been identified for special education services, but who have special educational needs. Faculty present a development perspective that addresses the different presenting characteristics of disabilities through the developmental stages. The Collaborative Model for Preparing Professional Learning Facilitators is learner-centered and emphasizes preparing teachers that facilitate learning. In special education this is applied as the constructivist approach.