Gwynedd Mercy University 2025-2026 University Catalog 168
Transfer credit will be reviewed on an individual basis. For Curriculum Sequence, see Program Handbook
Academic Standards / Grade Requirements: Students in the Master of Science in Special Education program must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average( GPA) of 3.0. Students may not earn more than two grades of C or C + and may not earn any grade below a C and remain in the program. Students may retake a maximum of 2 courses in which they earned a C or C +. Students may retake an individual course only one time. When possible, a student should follow the course sequence as listed.
The courses listed below are considered core pedagogy courses for the Special Education Program and require a final grade of B or better prior to student teaching.
SPE 520: Methods, Materials, and Curriculum SPE 562: Special Education Law and Ethics SPE 563: Current Issues in Special Education EDU 581: Foundations of Special Education in an Inclusionary Setting SPE 560: Diagnosis, Assessment, Prescriptive & Intervention Techniques SPE 561: Learning Methods & Materials for the Special Learner SPE 564: Behavior Management Skills for the Special Learner SPE 565: Student Teaching and Professional Seminar also requires a grade of B or better to be considered for Certification.
Professional Disposition and Conduct: For all students in a certification program, a professional disposition assessment is required to be submitted twice during the program: prior to and during student teaching.
Attendance Policies: The pace of an accelerated degree program requires students to maximize opportunities to learn. The classes and out-of-class learning activities provide the primary context for instruction as well as learning. The College of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies believes that in order to learn from faculty instruction and from one another, students must participate in all learning opportunities and be present at all classes and submit all out-of-class weekly assessable learning activities. Missing a class or failure to submit a weekly assessable learning activity cannot be“ made up.” The policy is intended to encourage students to make choices that support their educational goals.
Online students are considered present for the week if they post to a discussion forum or submit any assignment or other deliverable during the instructional week( Monday – Sunday). Failure to actively engage in the course by posting to discussion forums or submitting assignments will result in an official absence.
Academic Progress, Probation and Program Dismissals: Academic Probation A student whose GPA falls below a 3.0 will be placed on Academic Probation and must improve their GPA to a 3.0 or higher within the next six credits completed.
If a student earns below a grade of B in any of the core pedagogy courses listed above, they must repeat the course at Gwynedd Mercy University and earn a grade of B or better.