1.What programs are available in the Special Education department?

2.What types of Financial Aid programs and services are available to students?

3.Who can I contact for advising, assistance with my graduation requirements, and information about my progress?

4.What are the advantages of getting my Master’s and license versus license only?

5.Where can I find information about practicum and student teaching?

6.How do I apply for Practicum and/or Student Teaching?

7.Is it possible to waive Practicum and/or Student Teaching?

8.What PRAXIS exams am I required to pass for licensure?

9.When should I take the Praxis exams?

10.Is there any financial support available for the PRAXIS II exams?

11.When do I take my Master’s Degree Comprehensive Exam? How do I schedule this?

12.What do I do if I have already taken all of my classes and still need to take my comprehensive exam?

13.Who should develop an ePortfolio?

14.Where do I find information about ePortfolio?

15.What are the portfolio checkpoints? When are the checkpoints? What is required for each checkpoint?

16.Where can I get information about becoming HQT (Highly Qualified Teacher)?

17.When and how do I apply for graduation?

18.What professional organizations are available to me on CSU’s campus as a student?

19.What types of services are available to CSU students around the campus?

20.What are my dining options on and around CSU’s campus?

21.Is it possible to waive Practicum and/or Student Teaching?

  

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1. What programs are available in the Special Education department?

The Programs in Special Education at Cleveland State University are designed to prepare teachers to work with young children and K-12 students who have disabilities. There are three different majors including: Early Childhood Intervention Specialist, Mild/Moderate Intervention Specialist, & Moderate/Intensive Intervention Specialist. The Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Intensive majors can be pursued at the Bachelor’s Degree level. All majors are offered at the Master’s Degree level. In addition, specific licensure only programs are also available at the graduate level.

Intervention Specialist Majors

EARLY CHILDHOOD: This major is designed to prepare teacher candidates to work with children from birth to age 8 who have special needs. In addition to Ohio licensure as an Early Childhood Intervention Specialist, this concentration provides course work and fieldwork needed for the Mental Retardation/ Developmental Disabilities (MR/DD) Early Intervention Certificate.

MILD/MODERATE: This specialization is designed to prepare teacher candidates to develop, implement, and evaluate individualized programs for children and adolescents ages 5 through 21 who have special academic and social adjustment needs. These individuals are typically identified as having a specific learning disability, mild/moderate mental retardation, or mild/moderate behavioral disorders. Students who complete this program develop diagnostic skills and competencies in the assessment of academic and social needs as they particularly apply to the development and delivery of instruction in both general and special-education classrooms.

MODERATE/INTENSIVE: This major prepares teacher candidates to work with children and youth ages 5 through 21 who have moderate, severe, or profound mental retardation, intensive behavior and emotional disorders, or multiple disabilities. The professional who completes this concentration will have advanced skills in curriculum design and implementation, behavioral strategies, life skills support, interdisciplinary teaming, and working with parents of children with exceptional needs.

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2. What types of Financial Aid programs and services are available to students?

“Financial aid is money that is provided to help bridge the gap between your own resources and the amount of money needed to pay the cost of attending college. Approximately 70 percent of Cleveland State's students receive some form of financial assistance. The University participates in or administers all of the major federal and state grant and loan programs. In addition, Cleveland State provides University grants and scholarships.” (From http://www.csuohio.edu/enrollmentservices/financialaid/)

For specific COEHS scholarship information visit:
http://www.csuohio.edu/cehs/scholarship/

If you Need more help or information:
If you're on campus, stop by the Campus411 office, located in Main Classroom, Room 116. Campus411 is our one-stop service center, where specialists are available to assist you with your financial aid questions.

Phone: 216.687.5411
Toll-Free: 888.CSU.OHIO
Fax: 216.687.9247
E-mail:campus411@csuohio.edu

Mailing Address:
Financial Aid Office
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue, KB 1300
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2214

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3. Who can I contact for advising, assistance with my graduation requirements, and information about my progress?

The College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) advising office has advising information for undergraduates, graduates, and post baccalaureate on their website:
http://www.csuohio.edu/cehs/students/advising/

Contact Information: Call (216) 687-4625 Rhodes Tower, Room 1401.
or email at: coe.advising@csuohio.edu

Advising Office Hours
Day	Time	Place
Monday-Thursday	8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.	RT 1401
Friday	8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	RT 1401
Saturday (1st & 3rd of every month)	10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.	MC 110

Your Faculty Advisor is also available to help you to:

• Complete and submit your official Program of Study;
• Keep track of your progress in meeting program requirements;
• Submit requests for transfer credit, changes in Program of Study, and similar forms;
• Plan your course schedule for upcoming semesters;
• Prepare petitions requesting waivers, exceptions, or substitutions of program requirements;
• Prepare for your Comprehensive Exam or work on your thesis or project;
• Clarify your career plans; and
• Make plans to deal with and overcome difficulties affecting your academic performance.

(From http://www.csuohio.edu/cehs/students/advising/)

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4. What are the advantages of getting my Master’s and license versus license only?

For most teachers the completion of a Master’s Degree results in a significant pay raise. For example, the CMSD teacher’s salary schedule effective July 1, 2008 shows a difference of $1,953 for the first year and a difference of $6,203 after 5 years. The difference jumps to almost $10,000 after 10 years, with a Master’s. Since only a few additional courses are required for the degree, financially it is a good investment. For most people, the Master’s degrees in Special Education (Early Childhood Intervention Specialist, Mild/Moderate Intervention Specialist, and Moderate/Intensive Intervention Specialist) require only three additional classes. The degree however does require 32 credit hours.

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5. Where can I find information about practicum and student teaching?

The Office of Field Services is the department that is responsible for practicum and student teaching. The primary responsibility of the Office of Field Services (OFS) is to facilitate educative field experiences for students in the College of Education and Human Services by serving as the bridge between CSU students, faculty, instructors, supervisors, and staff on one hand--and school districts, buildings, district and building administration, and mentor teachers, on the other. The College works with a "partnership" model, through which it serves both pre-service teachers and area districts' students and teachers, by providing quality field experiences for future teachers in the classrooms of experienced mentor teachers.

The mission of the Office of Field Services is to match our students (called "interns," which is short for "Pre-Service Teacher Interns") with outstanding mentor teachers in Cuyahoga County Schools who will aid them in their development into highly skilled, effective, hardworking, reflective, and responsive educators.(from http://www.csuohio.edu/cehs/fieldservices/)

Contact Information: Call (216) 687-4616; Rhodes Tower, Room 1344. or email at:ofsassisstant@csuohio.edu

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6. How do I apply for Practicum and/or Student Teaching?

The application for practicum and student teaching is completed online and found on the OFS website, during the application window. The application deadlines are:

SPRING internships: August 20-September 20

SUMMER* & FALL Internships: January 15-February 15

*Summer field placements are for approved graduate students only.

Visit the Office of Field Services website for more information: http://www.csuohio.edu/cehs/fieldservices/ The link to the online application is found in the right hand menu on their webpage.

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7. Is it possible to waive Practicum and/or Student Teaching?

Practicum and/or Student Teaching are a required part of Licensure programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. If a student wishes to waive either of these field experiences, they must be able to document that they have the skills that would be learned during this experience. Specific requirements to waive each field experience can be found at the following links.

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8. What PRAXIS exams am I required to pass for licensure?

The following PRAXIS exams must be taken prior to student teaching and passed before you can apply for your license. You must designate CSU (code R1221) as a score recipient each time you register for the PRAXIS to have your passed exams permanently recorded on your transcripts. All Intervention Specialists (initial licensure) must take either:

30521    PLT Early Childhood OR (Required for ECIS majors)
30522    PLT K-5 OR
30523    PLT K-9 OR 30524    PLT 7-12
AND  20353    Education of Exceptional Students: Core Content

In addition the Special Education faculty strongly recommends that all first licensure Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Intensive majors pass the Praxis II: Introduction to the Teaching of Reading assessment (#0200). Some Early Childhood Intervention Specialist majors may also need to take and pass the 0200 exam. Passing this exam gives you Special Education HQT status at the elementary level (Grades K-6). Passing this exam also gives you Special Education HQT status in English, Language Arts, and Reading (Grades 7-12).

The PRAXIS website provides all the information that you need to take the exam including registration information and test preparation materials and services. www.ets.org/praxis

Note if you already hold a State of Ohio teaching license you may not need to take additional PRAXIS exams. See your academic advisor to determine this, both for licensure and HQT status.

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9. When should I take the Praxis exams?

You should take the PRAXIS exams after the majority of your licensure classes have been taken. The exams need to have been TAKEN before you start student teaching.

For PRAXIS II, regular registration is approximately 1 month before the test and you receive your scores approximately 1 month after the test date. Check the PRAXIS website www.ets.org/praxis for specific test site and registration information.

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10. Is there any financial support available for the PRAXIS II exams?

There are a limited number of fee waivers available, from ETS, for enrolled undergraduate or graduate students who meet eligibility requirements. The information regarding eligibility requirements and the forms to fill out can be found by searching “fee waiver” on the www.ets.org website. Please keep in mind the there are much earlier deadlines to be considered for fee waivers and the application and required forms must be mailed.

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11. When do I take my Master’s Degree Comprehensive Exam? How do I schedule this?

If you are selecting the comprehensive exam option as your exit requirement for your graduate degree, the exam should be taken during or after your last term of coursework. Placement on the comprehensive exam list requires that you apply for graduation, have a program of study on file in the Education Student Services Center (ESSC, RT 1401), and be registered for at least one graduate credit hour during the term taken. Exam notices are sent approximately one month before the exam. If you wish to take the exam earlier than the term you plan to graduate, you must state so on your graduation application.

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12. What do I do if I have already taken all of my classes and still need to take my comprehensive exam?

You can sign up for EST 691 Comprehensive Exam (1 credit). You do not attend a class for this, but it allows you to be registered for a graduate level course so that you can take the exam.

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13. Who should develop an ePortfolio?

All licensure students (undergraduate or graduate) entering into a Special Education program in Fall 2007 or later should develop an ePortfolio.

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14. Where do I find information about ePortfolio?

You can find information about your portfolio requirement for licensure on the COEHS web pages. There is specific information for undergraduate and graduate special education majors. http://www.csuohio.edu/cehs/students/portfolios/

Especially helpful for students new to the portfolio process is the link to the Undergraduate or Graduate Portfolio Handbook:
http://www.csuohio.edu/cehs/students/portfolios/docs/specialedu_portfolio_handbook.pdf
http://www.csuohio.edu/cehs/students/portfolios/docs/specialedu_graduate_handbook.pdf

This handbook will answer questions regarding what a portfolio is, what is required for your portfolio, how you are assessed, and other information that you may need.

A link is on the general portfolio page to ePortfolio information: http://www.csuohio.edu/cehs/students/portfolios/eportfolio.html This link will give you step-by-step instructions on how to set up your portfolio and how to place items in your portfolio. There is an ePortfolio tutorial that may be helpful for those that are new to the process. There are also training sessions held throughout the year. You can contact 216.687.3737, if you would like to attend a training session.

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15. What are the portfolio checkpoints? When are the checkpoints? What is required for each checkpoint?

Each teacher preparation program has three or more checkpoints (for Undergraduates) to evaluate your portfolio. Evaluations will look at the content of your portfolio and make sure that you have the required items necessary for your license. The schedule for undergraduate special education majors is:
EDB 200: Teaching as a Profession, Introductory Portfolio
ESE 400: Introduction to Special Education, Working Portfolio
EST 377/378: Practicum, Professional Portfolio
EST 487/488: Student Teaching, Professional and Employment Portfolio

Graduates will have portfolio checkpoints after practicum (if applicable) or before student teaching, and at the end of student teaching. Any student may also have their advisor check their portfolio.

To qualify for student teaching, a graduate or undergraduate portfolio must have an artifact in every standard that was graded at least Emerging, and have at least 8 of the artifacts must be graded as Proficient, including those for standards:
#2 Social Foundations
#3 Knowledge of Subject Matter and Inquiry
#4 Knowledge of Development and Learning
#8 Instructional Strategies
#10 Technology.

All students will also have their portfolio checked at the end of student teaching for their Provisional Teaching License Endorsement. You must have at least Proficient in all 12 standards to qualify for your license.

For more information you may contact your advisor to set up an appointment or there is information regarding checkpoints in the portfolio handbooks:
Undergraduates:
http://www.csuohio.edu/cehs/students/portfolios/docs/specialedu_portfolio_handbook.pdf
Graduates:
http://www.csuohio.edu/cehs/students/portfolios/docs/specialedu_graduate_handbook.pdf

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16. Where can I get information about becoming HQT (Highly Qualified Teacher)?

In order to be hired as a new Intervention Specialist you must obtain HQT status in one academic content area. All undergraduate special education majors should take the PRAXIS II: Introduction to the Teaching of Reading (Test #10200). Passing this test will give you HQT status at the elementary level and for grades 7-12 in Reading and Language Arts. Graduate level Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Intensive majors will most likely need to take this test also. Test # 10200 will give you HQT status for 7-12 English, Reading, and Language Arts. Early Childhood Intervention Specialist majors may also need to take this PRAXIS II test.

For more information on HQT please visit our HQT info page or visit the Ohio Department of Education’s HQT toolkit:
http://www.ode.state.oh.us/gd/templates/pages/ODE/ODEGoogleSearch.aspx?page=221&query=hqt%20toolkit&start=0&OriginatingURL=/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDefaultPage.aspx?Page=1

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17. When and how do I apply for graduation?

Application deadlines for Graduate and Undergraduate students for each semester are:
Fall semester    Previous April 14
Spring semester    Previous September 9
Summer semester    Previous February 1

Graduate applications can be picked up at Campus 411, MC 116. There is a $25 Graduation fee that is due before your application is submitted to Campus 411, MC 116. Please pay the Graduation fee at the cashier’s office located in Main Classroom.

Undergraduate applications for graduation can be picked up in ESSC, RT 1401 or from your academic advisor. A signature from the advising office, RT 1401, is needed before you pay your $25 Graduation fee. Please pay the Graduation fee at the cashier’s office located in Main Classroom. Turn in your completed application to the advising office RT 1401.

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18. What professional organizations are available to me on CSU’s campus as a student?

There is a student chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) on campus. As a CSU student you are invited to join our student chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children (S-CEC). Members benefit by receiving Exceptional Children and Teaching Exceptional Children; journals published by the Council for Exceptional Children. Additionally, students benefit from the growth associated with involvement with a student chapter of a professional organization. To find out more about chapter functions, access information available within the Green Room. The Green Room is an on-line campus community associated with our CSU website. Within the Green Room, follow the links to student organizations. Much information will be posted electronically. Additionally, upcoming events and related forms will be available via the S-CEC bulletin board located within the elevator landing of the 13th floor of Rhodes Tower. Chapter membership is not required in order to participate with chapter functions. However, membership offers many benefits including opportunities for leadership and professional development. Registration costs for many of our professional development opportunities (e.g., workshops) will be offered to S-CEC members at a discount.

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19. What types of services are available to CSU students around the campus?

There are many services available to CSU students that are free or at a reduced price.

• Health Services: Students can schedule and make appointments even if they don’t have the University health insurance. There is not a fee for the appointment, but and lab work or prescriptions do have fees. You can contact them directly 216.687.3649.
• Recreation Center: All full-time students have a free membership to the center. Families of full-time students can use the Rec. Center on the weekends for free. Part-time students may purchase a membership also. Call them directly for more information, 216.802.3200.
• Counseling and Testing: Provides a wide range of services to students. They offer academic, career, and personal counseling, consultation and outreach programming, training, group facilitation, and other services aimed at helping individuals and groups who are members of the campus community meet their respective personal and professional goals. You can contact them for more information, 216.687.2277.
• Tutoring: The Tutoring and Academic Success Center (TASC) is available to help with specific and general questions. Walk in tutoring is sometimes available. You can call for an appointment, 216.687.2012 or stop in MC 110W. Specific help is also available for problems with writing. At the Writing Center they recognize that writing is an individual process that goes through many stages. Through tutoring and workshops they can help you with the entire writing process. Call them for more information 216.687.6981.
• Printing: Each semester CSU students are allocated 2,000 pages of free black & white printing on the General Purpose Lab or Campus Connection Lounge printers. After each semester, the print allocation is adjusted back to 2,000. Unused allocations are NOT carried into subsequent semesters, regardless whether from the initial or purchased allocations. This 2,000 page allowance is derived from a $40 allocation at the per-page rate of two cents. General Purpose Labs are located in MC447/446, SH 128, RT-Library 403, BU23, Fenn Tower, and Urban 39/40. The Campus Connection Lounge is located in MC 1st floor near the Mobile Campus.
• More student services can be found by going to our student services link. (Click here)

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20. Is it possible to waive Practicum and/or Student Teaching?

Practicum and/or Student Teaching are a required part of Licensure programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. If a student wishes to waive either of these field experiences, they must be able to document that they have the skills that would be learned during this experience. Specific requirements to waive each field experience can be found at the following links.

  ECIS Waiver Guidelines
  MI Graduate Waiver Guidelines
  MI Undergraduate Waiver Guidelines
  MM Graduate waiver Guidelines
  MM Undergraduate waiver Guidelines

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21. What are my dining options on and around CSU’s campus?

  

Fenn Tower First Floor
M-R 7 am - 8 pm, F 7.30 am - 5 pm, S-Su 9 am - 5 pm
 

Viking Hall First Floor
M-R 7 am - 10 pm, F 7 am - 8 pm, Sa 10 am - 8 pm, Su 10 am -9 pm
 

Main Classroom First Floor
M-R 7.30 am - 6 pm, F 7.30 am - 2 pm
 

College of Business
M-R 7 am - 6 pm, F 7 am - 2 pm
 

Rhodes Tower Lobby
M-R 7.30 am - 6 pm, F 7.30 am - 2 pm
 

On the Innerlink in the Law Building
M-R 7.30 am - 6 pm, F 7.30 am - 2 pm
 

Recreation Center First Floor
M-R 11 am - 7 pm, F 11 am - 2 pm
 

Parker Hannifin Administration Center
M-F 7 am - 4 pm
 

Viking Hall First Floor
M-R 2 pm - 10 pm, F 12 pm - 5 pm
 

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