!["Special Education" written in marker](/sites/default/files/styles/page_header_small/public/uploads/AGS.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=1uf3rTKO)
!["Special Education" written in marker](/sites/default/files/styles/page_header_small/public/uploads/AGS.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=1uf3rTKO)
Advanced Graduate Specialist (A.G.S.), Special Education
The Advanced Graduate Specialist (A.G.S.) certificate in Special Education is designed to promote professional competence in an area of concentration in the field of special education. This program is available to students planning to take extended graduate work beyond the master's level, within any of the major areas indicated for the master's programs. The certificate is awarded by the College of Education at the completion of all requirements; this is not a degree program.
The candidate for the AGS certificate must have a master's degree or its equivalent earned at the 金光佛论坛 or another accredited institution. The minimum number of graduate hours for the AGS certificate is 60 including applicable credits from the Master's program. The core of the program should be made up of special education courses and other work within the College of Education or other colleges in the 金光佛论坛. The program can be part or full time, but continuous registration is required.
For more information visit the webpage. Select an area of interest from the various offerings in the College of Education to determine the admission requirements and deadlines. If you are unsure of your area of interest you may request information by submitting an .
AGS Deadlines:
*Fall Domestic: June 15
Admission Procedures
- Review the EDSP admission requirements for MA, MEd, and AGS graduate students in the Special Education Master's Degree Programs Handbook
- Contact associated with concentration area if you have specific questions or wish to discuss an area in more detail
- Complete the (Please select ALL Areas of Interests to ensure your application will be directed to the appropriate program for review). In your goal statement, specify your research interests and professional goals. You may request a specific faculty advisor if appropriate.
- All application materials must be received before the Special Education Program's Graduate Admission Committee Reviews the applicant's materials. This includes your for MEd degree or GRE/MAT scores for MA degree.
- The Graduate Admission Committee recommends admit or reject. The final decision is made by the graduate school. Provisional acceptance may be recommended for a limited number of applicants.
Please refer to the for instructions on how to apply for graduate admission. If you have questions or concerns, we ask you to first review our list of . For questions about the application process, or to check on the completion of your application please contact:
Judy Foster, Coordinator of Graduate Admissions
Office of Student Services, College of Education
(301) 405-2359
After you apply for graduate admission you may check your application status by logging into the Enrollment Rx graduate online application using your user name and password. Graduate faculty in the Academic Department you applied to will review your completed application for graduate admission. Questions regarding application reviews and decision recommendations should be directed to Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education (CHSE). Please contact:
Carol Scott, Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education
(301) 405-8384
Please contact the Office of Student Services, ed-advising@umd.edu, or (301) 405-2364.
Academic advisement for graduate students is provided by the graduate faculty in the Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education (CHSE). For advising information, please contact the Coordinator of Graduate Studies, Carol Scott at (301) 405-8384 or cscott18@umd.edu.
Visit the College of Education Scholarship opportunities webpage.
Visit the web page for additional funding opportunities
For information about other student financial aid, review the .
The Advanced Graduate Specialist (AGS) program is designed to promote a high level of professional competence in the field of special and enhances a student鈥檚 professional portfolio of education coursework beyond the Master鈥檚 degree. The AGS is not a degree program, but a certificate awarded by the College of Education. The candidate for the AGS must have a master's degree earned either at the 金光佛论坛 or at another accredited institution. The minimum number of graduate credit hours for the AGS is 60, which includes 30 applicable credits from the student鈥檚 Master's program. The core of the program consists of special education courses and other coursework within the University.
AGS Program Requirements for Students and Advisors
1. Continuous Registration and Time Line: Registration and advising is required every semester (including the summer session if graduating). The MEd degree must be completed in five years.
2. Required Coursework (as of 1/22/15): The following coursework is required:
鈥 Two of the following research methods courses:
EDMS 645 Quantitative Research Methods I
EDSP 670 Single Subject Research in Special Education
EDSP 671 Qualitative Methodologies in Special Education
鈥 One of the following:
EDSP 673 Evaluating Evidence-Based Practices in Special Education
EDSP 625 Seminar on Severe Disabilities
鈥 EDSP 600 Issues and Trends in Educating Individuals with Disabilities
3. Submit AGS Program of Approval: A Program of Approval is developed with the advisor and must include 400 level or above coursework (graduate credit is NOT given for coursework below the 400 level). The form is found at website.
4. Transfer Credit: Up to six credits of graduate coursework may be transferred into the master鈥檚 program with the advisor鈥檚 approval. If applicable, complete the Transfer or Inclusion of Credit Form, available on the Graduate School webpage.
5. GPA: Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in courses approved for graduation. Any 鈥淒鈥 or 鈥淔鈥 grade on record may be repeated with the second grade counting toward the cumulative GPA. If the course is repeated, the first course registration remains on the transcript. If courses with 鈥淒鈥 or 鈥淔鈥 grades are not repeated, they will be computed in the grade point average the same as an 鈥淔鈥 (zero quality points). In such cases, however, the 鈥淒鈥 and 鈥淔鈥 grades will not be counted as a part of graduation requirements and additional coursework must be taken.
6. Comprehensive Examination: Three hours of written examinations are required. Procedures are presented above.
7. Submit Application for Graduation: Published deadlines each semester for submitting the Application for Graduation are found in Important Dates for All Graduating Graduate Students found at:
Apply for graduation at the following website:
Note: Students must be registered the semester of graduation.
8. Additional AGS Graduation Forms: The student is responsible for submitting the Advanced Graduate Specialist (A.G.S.) Certification of Completion form found .
Dr. Kelli Cummings, Program Director (kellic@umd.edu)
Carol Scott, Coordinator (cscott18@umd.edu)
are provided by the Office of the Registrar for the academic year. Students should refer to the deadlines listed in Important Dates prior to the beginning of the degree completion semester.
Students should check with their Department or Program for any deadlines it may have. Please contact:
Carol Scott, Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education
(301) 405-8384
HANDBOOKS
Visit the Department of Counseling, High Education and Special Education program handbooks and forms page.
The provides information on academics, campus resources, finances, health, job opportunities, and information on how to get involved as a graduate student.
POLICY
Graduate students in the College of Education are responsible for meeting University and the Graduate School policy, and for meeting Program requirements. The is the official listing of governing graduate education at the 金光佛论坛. The is available from the Office of the Registrar and provides information on adding and dropping courses, penalties, and refund schedules.
FORMS
Graduate students are required to submit various forms at specific points in the program and as part of the degree clearance process. Please refer to Steps Toward Graduation to determine the steps and forms that are required. The forms for use by graduate students are available here.