The Department of Special Education, Counseling, Reading, and Early Childhood

Dr. Kathy Kelker, Chairperson
COE 233, 657-2338

Professors:  Linda Christensen, Mary Susan Fishbaugh, James Nowlin, Ronald Sexton, Daniel Yazak*
Associate Professors:  Susan Gregory, Suneetha de Silva, S. Kay Streeter,
Assistant Professors:  Katharin Kelker
Lecturers:  W. Gregory Allard, Alan Christensen
Emeritus:  Kenneth Card, Rockne Copple, C. Hap Gilliland, Dennis Schultz

* Joint appointment with Rehabilitation and Human Services

The department offers and administers the following Graduate Degree programs:

Master of Science in Special Education with options in:

• Advanced Studies
• Generalist

Master of Education with options in:
•Early Childhood
•Reading
•Interdisciplinary Studies
•School Counseling (K-12) (OPI Certification and Licensure)

Post-Master’s Supervisory Endorsements in:
•Reading
•Special Education

Endorsement Programs
•School Counseling
•Teaching Endorsement in Special Education (P-12)

Doctoral Minor in Special Education
The Department of Special Education, Counseling, Reading, and Early Childhood at MSU Billings offers a doctoral minor in special education in conjunction with the doctoral programs in Educational Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction at MSU-Bozeman.  Courses are taught by faculty from the Department of Special Education, Counseling, Reading, and Early Childhood.  This minor is designed to provide leadership preparation for persons in areas of special education, educational administration, and curriculum development for students with special needs.  Students gain skills in curricular planning, collaboration with regular education and community agencies and provision of special education services.  Students interested in this option must be enrolled in one of the two MSU-Bozeman doctoral programs cited above.  For further information contact the Department of Special Education, Counseling, Reading, and Early Childhood at MSU Billings (406-657-2338).

Mission
The mission of the Department of Special Education, Counseling, Reading, and Early Childhood is to educate professionals who display the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required for effective practice and participation in scholarship, research, and service to the community.  The vision of the department is to be an innovative and reflective educational program that prepares professionals to be effective practitioners, active participants in their professional fields, and respected contributors to their communities.

Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for the Master of Science in Special Education, the Master of Education Reading/Early Childhood Options, and the Interdisciplinary Studies Options are:

1. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
2. Graduate GPA of at least 3.0.
3. Formal Examination.

For admission to the School Counseling program, the following requirements apply:

1. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits.
2. Graduate GPA, if applicable, minimum of 3.0.
3. GRE (Graduate Records Examination)
4. Three letters of reference which must address academic, professional, and work-related experiences.
5. Acceptance of an approved Plan of Study will constitute formal admission to the school counseling program.  A plan of study** can be submitted when the student has completed (earning no less than a “B” in each of the following courses) either of the following options (or with consent of advisor):

**A student must submit a plan of study within one academic year in order to continue receiving financial aid or to continue in the program.

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