This document summarizes a chat discussion between participants and presenters about graduate programs in teacher education and special education. Some key points addressed include: - Most graduate programs require a bachelor's degree, with many wanting the degree to be in education. English proficiency exams are also required. - It is possible to pursue programs combining TESOL and other subject areas. Financial aid can be limited but assistantships are available. - Requirements vary by program and country for credentials needed to teach at different levels.

1. Teacher & Special Needs Education
January 11, 2011 11 am – 12 pm (EST)
Jackie Vogle – SUNY Plattsburgh (jackie.vogl@plattsburgh.edu)
Dr. Michael Morgan (morganmd@plattsburgh.edu)
SUNY Plattsburgh (www.plattsburgh.edu)
Q: If a teacher from Brazil, for instance would like to enter one of the graduate programs, would he/she
have any additional requirement?
A: Most graduate programs in education will require that you have completed a bachelor's degree or
the equivalent to be considered for admission. Many will require that the bachelor's degree be in
education. You will also be required to submit evidence of English proficiency and financial support.
Q: Excellent presentation. I was wondering if most graduate programs in Teacher Education require the
GRE?
A: Most graduate programs will require submission of one or more standardized exams: TOEFL or IELTS
(if English is not the applicant's ''native'' language), GRE, MAT, etc.
Q: My question would be related to the combination of teaching English as a second language and, for
example, middle school education. Is it possible to combine these two fields at the graduate level, in any
way?
A: ESL is not a teachable discipline. This refers to math, English, science, etc. ESL is a different
certification. SUNY New Platz has a program that has certification in ESL.
Q: I am an undergraduate student in Brazil. My major is English and by the end of this year I'll have the
necessary degree to become an English teacher (English as a Second Language, in this case). I'd like to
know if there is a Graduate Program on Education for my case, since I'm really interesting in continuing
my studies and obtaining a master's degree. I've always thought about being a University Professor.
A: Absolutely! Masters of Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language are plentiful in the U.S. The
pre-requisite bachelor's degree and other requirements for admission consideration will vary from
program to program. You may wish to consult the TESOL website for more information about programs
in the U.S.
Q: Does the student need to have a bachelor's or a Master's in Education in order to enter the doctoral
level?
A: You have to have a Bachelor's degree and most of the time a Master's degree. There are some
programs that combine the Master's and Doctorate degrees.

2. Q: If someone did their master's degree in a local university at hometown, do PhD requirements usually
require apostille or similar for the diploma?
A: Admission to doctoral study is a complex process dictated by the university and individual
department to which you would apply. I suggest that you identify some programs that interest you and
follow up with the graduate admissions office at those institutions to determine what exactly is needed
for consideration.
Q: Do you offer any short term programs in Teacher Education & Special Education that international
students could take?
A: No, programs are not short-term. There are many classroom placements in addition to classes. The
knowledge and skills build over time.
Q: My other question is related to financial aid. Since I have a very humble origin and I study in a public
university in Brazil, I'd like to know about the possibilities of obtaining full financial aid for a graduate
program.
A: From my experience, full financial aid for master's level study is very limited. However, many
institutions offer assistantships for students enrolled in graduate school (master's or doctoral study). At
the doctoral level, more funding is available, but admission is very, very competitive.
Q: Hi, is a BA sufficient to teach in middle school?
A: There are some states with strict continuation education policies that allow someone to teach with a
BA. Many states require a MA within 5 years of the BA.
Q: Could I possibly be a Portuguese teaching assistant in order to cover some of my financial expenses at
the graduate level?
A: Certainly possible if you can identify a university that offers Portuguese *and* has the graduate
program you would like to pursue. You would inquire about being a ''teaching assistant.''
Q: Do you know if there are Teacher Education Doctoral programs in the US we could do on line?
A: I doubt it since most teacher education programs, if designed to train teachers and not
administrators, would require experiential training and assessment. I'm sure the EducationUSA
advisor(s) in your community could help you research this question.
Q: So, is this chat concerned only on Teacher Education and Special Education?
A: Yes, that's right.
Q: There are so many great higher education institutions in the US that I am kind of lost. Is there any
way that I could narrow down my searches considering that I am looking for good graduate programs in
Teaching English as a Second/ Foreign Language?

3. A: Certainly there are very helpful online search sites that could help: CollegeBoard (though I've only
ever used it for undergraduate study), Petersons, and many others. EducationUSA also has several
college search engines to help you at http://www.educationusa.info/pages/students/search.php.
''Good'' is relative. First, you must decide what a ''good'' program means for you: location, size of
institution, availability of financial aid, outcomes of alumni, qualifications of faculty. So, it's easy to get a
list of schools with graduate TESOL programs. The challenge from there is to find a school that ''fits''
you.
Q: Are there many international students at your institution pursuing studies in Teacher/Special
Education?
A: Not many ... I'd like there to be many more. I think there is so much opportunity for students to
change the future for students in their home countries by learning about special education and
intervention for kids with special needs. As I said, many of the students who have come and completed
education degrees with us have gone home to become teachers, but also work in policy development at
the local or federal level in their home countries. I'm very proud of those friends/alumni!
Q: So, if somebody wants to apply Teacher Education program, he or she must have master's degree in
Teacher Education?
A: There are some master's programs that require that a student have completed a bachelor'. Some
require that the applicant has completed a bachelor's degree in any field.
Q: hi every one. i m a special education student in kabul education university, third year, is there any
opportunity for me getting my Master’s degree in the same field in US. i have already taken Toefl test?
A: Yes, there are many Master's degree programs in the US that you could enter with a bachelor’s
degree. Some states requires that you have a bachelor’s degree in childhood education (children
without special needs) before you get a Master's degree specific to special education.
Q: I mean if I have Master degree in financial and actuarial mathematics, I can't apply to Teacher
Education program, can I?
A: We have had students apply to the teacher education program with this type of background.
Sometimes a few more courses are needed in math. The Master's degree would have to be in regular
education, not special education.
Q: It has been more than 2 years since I've taken the TOEFL. Would I have to take it again, even
considering that I am about to get a degree in English language?
A: From my experience, it seems that TOEFL results are considered accurate for no more than two years.
At SUNY Plattsburgh, that's the cut off for us unless the applicant has been studying in the U.S. or
another English-speaking country (e.g., UK) and has received grades in English language courses since
taking the TOEFL.