Professors: Andy Tompkins*, Chairperson; John B. Barnett*, Nick A. Henry*, Richard P. Lipka*, Wesley J. Sandness*
Associate Professors: Charlene J. Lingo*, Steven A. Scott*
Assistant Professors: Gregory J. Ruediger*
Lecturer: Victoria A. White*

* Graduate faculty

The Department of Special Services and Administrative Studies offers the following undergraduate and graduate degree programs:

Undergraduate Minor in Special Education
Master of Science Degree with a Major in Special Education Teaching
Master of Science Degree with a Major in School Administration
Master of Science Degree with a Major in Educational Technology
Specialist in Education Degree with a Major in General School Administration
Specialist in Education Degree with a Major in Community College and Higher Education

Requirements for Graduate Study

Graduate students in close collaboration with their academic advisors may meet requirements for degrees in one of two ways. Students should review appropriate sections of this catalog pertaining to graduate degrees.
Option I requires the satisfactory completion of approved course work including 3-6 hours of thesis credit. The specialist degree requires 4-6 hours of thesis credit.
Option II requires the satisfactory completion of approved course work including three hours of Methods of Research 891 credit. The specialist degree requires three hours of SSAS 930 Seminar in Research Skills.
There are five important procedural steps which are the student's responsibility while pursuing a degree:
1. The student must apply for and be admitted to a degree program through the Office of Graduate Studies.
2. The student must submit either a GRE or MAT score prior to admission to candidacy.
3. The student must apply for candidacy in conference with the advisor.
4. The student must petition the Graduate Office to graduate.
5. The student must register for the Comprehensive Exam in the office of the Dean of the School of Education. This exam is administered to each Option II candidate during his/her last enrollment.

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The Department of Special Services and Administrative Studies offers an undergraduate minor in special education in the area of mental retardation and the Master of Science degree with a major in special education teaching. Graduate students should choose an area in their degree program selected from behavior disorders, learning disabilities, mental retardation, early childhood special education, or administration.
Admission to the graduate program requires a teaching certificate valid at the level to be taught and an overview course in special education. Recommendation for certification requires the completion of the state approved program. Students should consult with a special education advisor at the beginning of their program. Undergraduate Minors in Special Education

Option I (Certification) A minor in special education is available to students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. An additional summer following graduation is required for completion of the requirements for certification to teach mentally retarded children at either the elementary or secondary level.

Option II (Regular Classroom Teacher) This option is designed to better prepare regular classroom teachers for the inclusion of students with disabilities in the classroom. A minor in special education is available to students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. This option will not certify a teacher in special education.

Courses Required for the Minor

Option III (Mild Disabilities)

A minor in special education is available to students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. An additional summer following graduation may be required for completion of the requirements for certification to teach students with mild disabilities at either the elementary or secondary level.

Courses Required for the Minor

Additional courses required for Kansas certification in Special Education (MR):

Master of Science Degree with a Major in Special Education Teaching

Programs leading to the Master of Science degree with a major in special education teaching are available in the areas of behavior disorders, early childhood special education, learning disabilities, mental retardation, mild disabilities, and special education administration. A core of 24 hours followed by additional courses to total a minimum of 32 hours is required.
Since the requirements for state certification in special education may be partially met on the undergraduate level, close attention must be given to the selection of graduate courses leading to the master's degree with a major in special education. Pre-requisites for admission to the program require a valid teaching certificate at the level of instruction. For the Master of Science degree with a major in special education, the following requirements must be met:

Required for Behavior Disorders

Required for Early Childhood Special Education

Required for Mental Retardation

Required for Mild Disabilities

Director of Special Education

Certification requires the completion of a program in a special education area, a building administrator program, and a district school administrator program. In addition, SSAS 855 Administration and Supervision of Special Education and SSAS 860 Practicum in Special Education (Administration) must be completed. For specific requirements, contact the special education faculty.

Special Education Supervisor/Coordinator

Applicants for endorsement as supervisor/coordinator of special education programs must complete the following:

1. Hold an endorsement in a special education subject area.
2. Two years of accredited teaching experience in one or more special education subject areas.
3. Fifteen graduate semester hours as follows:
   1. SSAS 834 Curriculum Development.....3
   2. SSAS 863 Supervision of Instruction......3
   3. SSAS 807 School and Community Public Relations.....3
   4. SSAS 811 Personnel Management in School Administration.....3
4. SSAS 855 Administration and Supervision of Special Education.....3
5. A 75 hour university supervised practical experience working with a certified Director of Special Education.
6. Be recommended for certification by parent institution.
   

EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Master of Science Degree with a Major in Educational Technology The Master of Science degree with a major in educational technology is a 36-hour program designed to prepare the student to work with educational technology in either industrial or educational settings. Three curricular emphases are offered within the degree: (1) Technology Facilitator (Industrial Setting); (2) Technology Facilitator (Educational Setting); and (3) Library Media. Candidates who select the technology facilitator emphasis study the design, development, and management of instructional materials through the use of educational technologies. Candidates who select the library media emphasis will be prepared to direct the activities of learning resource centers. When approved by the Kansas State Board of Education, the library media emphasis will lead to certification in library media. Approval of the library media program is currently being sought. For the Master of Science degree with a major in educational technology, the following requirements must be met:

ADMINISTRATIVE PROGRAMS

The Department of Special Services and Administrative Studies is responsible for the preparation of school superintendents, secondary school principals, middle school principals, elementary school principals, associated administrative and supervisory personnel, and for professional preparation in the area of community college/higher education.
Programs for the preparation of administrators, supervisors, and community college/higher education personnel may lead to the Master of Science and/or Specialist in Education degrees and certification for the respective positions.
Experiences will also be provided for educators who will be in leadership roles for such activities as chapter/title programs, school/district curriculum projects and outcomes-based education. These experiences may involve one or more of the following five interrelated areas: measurement, evaluation, statistical analyses, computer usage and research design.

Admission to Programs in School
Administration

Students beginning a program of preparation for school administration must meet requirements beyond those for general admission to graduate study in the university and for other majors in the School of Education. Criteria for admission include a combination of characteristics considered to be related to and predictive of success in a program of preparation and in a position in the field.

All applicants for the Master's degree in building level certification must meet the following criteria:
1. Minimum 3.0000 GPA in the last 60 hours of college coursework from accredited institutions.
2. Score of 480 or above on any two of the three General Tests of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), or a minimum score of 42 or above on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
3. Evidence of certification for a role in the public/ private school.
4. Official transcripts of all college-level work completed and indication of a degree conference.
5. Two letters of recommendation from supervisors and/or professional peers of which at least one must be from a supervisor who attests to the applicant's potential as a building administrator.
6. Recommendation from the department chairperson.
7. Resume or curriculum vita of educational and professional experience.
8. Statement of professional goals related to completion of the master's degree and/or certification as a public school administrator.
All admissions are conditional pending successful completion of these requirements.
All applicants to programs of preparation for the Specialist degree in district level certification must meet the following criteria:
1. Minimum 3.2500 GPA in the last 30 hours of graduate work leading to building level certification from an accredited institution.
2. Score of 500 or above on any two of the three General Tests of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), or a score of 46 or above on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
3. Evidence of certification for a role in the public/ private school.
4. Official transcripts of all college-level work completed and indication of a degree conference.
5. Three letters of recommendation from supervisors and/or professional peers of which at least one must be from a supervisor who attests to the applicant's potential as an administrator.
6. Recommendation from the department chairperson.
7. Evidence of certification at the building level for a role in the public/private schools and at least three years of accredited experience.
8. Resume or curriculum vita of educational and
professional experience.
9. Statement of professional goals related to the completion of the Specialist degree and/or certification as a public/private school administrator.
All admissions are conditional pending successful completion of these requirements.
All applicants for master's and/or specialist degrees with less than the required grade point average or scores on nationally recognized GRE or MAT examinations may receive consideration for admission. This option will be

limited to persons who are judged by the admissions committee to have the potential for success as a graduate student and education leader. This information is intended as an example only and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of admission to the program. The number of applicants admitted to the program is limited by the extent of faculty resources available to provide a quality graduate level experience for potential school administrators.

Master of Science Degree with a Major in School Administration

This degree program is designed to prepare students for initial entry into school administration as elementary/middle level/secondary school principals and associated positions. The 36-hour degree program leading to building administrator certification includes the following or equivalent courses:

Educators desiring certification and leadership roles in middle school settings will complete experiences focusing on: middle school philosophy; organization and curriculum; and the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional characteristics of the middle school learner including credit in:

Candidates seeking endorsement as a middle school administrator must also meet all requirements for the building administrator's certificate.

Specialist in Education Degree with a Major in General School Administration

The Specialist in Education degree with a major in general school administration is designed to prepare superintendents and other central office personnel. Candidates for the degree must meet all requirements for the building administrator certificate in Kansas in addition to the other requirements for the specialist degree. The degree program is designed to permit a student to specialize in a specific area of administration and supervision as well as to gain a comprehensive knowledge of administration at both elementary and secondary levels. This is accomplished through electives and individual study courses available in the program to meet individual needs.

The following courses are required for completion of the 36-39 hour degree program:

COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION

Specialist in Education Degree with a Major in Community College and Higher Education

The curriculum in community college/higher education is a program designed to prepare personnel for teaching and supervisory roles at the community college and lower division senior college level. The program enables both current and prospective college staff and administrators to develop an advanced preparation course of study in a teaching field and/or a leadership role in administration. A degree program is offered at the Specialist in Education level with a major in community college and higher education. Option I (thesis) requires a minimum of 30 hours. Option II (non-thesis) requires a minimum of 32 hours. Contact the Department of Special Services and Administrative Studies for specific program requirements. General degree requirements are:

COOPERATIVE PH.D. AND ED. D. PROGRAMS
Cooperative arrangements have been entered into with a number of universities whereby a graduate student at Pittsburg State University may apply for and be admitted to a Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Education degree program. The degree for the joint program is awarded through the Graduate School of the doctoral institution and is subject to all the rules and regulations for doctoral programs at the degree granting institution.
Applicants are screened by committees at both institutions. The number of hours which may be taken at PSU in the joint doctoral program will depend upon students'

particular programs and the availability of courses in their area of specialization offered on the PSU campus.
Applicants for the cooperative doctoral program should contact the Pittsburg State University Graduate School and the Department of Special Services and Administrative Studies for further information.

SPECIAL SERVICES AND ADMINISTRATIVE STUDIES

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