School of Education at Johns Hopkins University - Graduate Education Programs:


Frequently Asked Questions

 

  1. What is Montgomery Professional Immersion Special Education Master of Science (ProSEMS)?
  2. What are specific details of the ProSEMS Program?
  3. What do I get from the ProSEMS program?
  4. What are the initial admission requirements for Johns Hopkins University?
  5. Do my undergraduate and/or graduate degrees guarantee that I will not have to take additional courses?
  6. How and where can I take additional pre/co-requisite coursework?
  7. What occurs during the two years of ProSEMS?
  8. Do I get to select my own school for my long term substitute placement?
  9. What if I'm not sure about teaching as a career or what area of disability I want to teach?
  10. Where are JHU ProSEMS classes taught and who are the instructors?
  11. Do Secondary/Adult Education ProSEMS candidates need to complete the same content area courses as Secondary Education ProMAT candidates?
  12. Will I be considered "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind?
  13. How will I be supported through my ProSEMS experience?
  14. What happens if I am unsuccessful in spite of the supports provided?
  15. What are my responsibilities in the ProSEMS Program?
  16. Do I receive health or other benefits in the ProSEMS program?
  17. Is additional scholarship money available?

  1. What is Montgomery Professional Immersion Special Education Master of Science (ProSEMS)?
    Montgomery ProSEMS, the special education component of Montgomery Professional Immersion, is a partnership program between Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). This partnership program is designed for candidates who already hold an undergraduate degree in a field other than education but wish to pursue a Master of Science degree to become special educators.

    Back to top

     
  2. What are specific details of the ProSEMS Program?
    ProSEMS is a two-year program combining educational field experience and graduate coursework leading to Master of Science degree in education. The 39-credit graduate degree program is in Teaching Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities (Learning Disabilities, Emotional Disabilities, Mild Mental Retardation).

    Back to top

     
  3. What do I get from the ProSEMS program?
    A Special Education Master of Science (SEMS) degree, eligibility for Generic Special Education Maryland State Teaching certification, substantial financial support, and strong consideration for a contracted teaching position in Montgomery County Public Schools.

    Back to top

     
  4. What are the initial admission requirements for Johns Hopkins University?
    Applicants must possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree and a college/university grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Some experience working in schools, through substitute teaching, private school teaching, or as an instructional assistant is desirable.

    Back to top

     
  5. Do my undergraduate and/or graduate degrees guarantee that I will not have to take additional courses?
    No. Applicants may need to complete pre/co-requisite courses if they have not already taken the courses and received a grade of "B" or higher. The pre/co-requisite courses are: Introduction to Children and Youth with Exceptionalities; Human Growth and Development; Introductory Processes and Acquisition of Reading and Diagnosis/Assessment for Reading Instruction. Candidates must complete three of the four pre/co-requisite coursework before the first semester of the program, and the fourth course by the end of the first semester of the program.

    Back to top

     
  6. How and where can I take additional pre/co-requisite coursework?
    JHU accepts pre/co-requisite coursework from accredited institutions, including community colleges. In addition, many institutions offer courses online. Students should check course descriptions for pre/co-requisite courses to make sure courses taken at other institutions fulfill the course requirement. The candidate pays for all additional pre/co-requisite coursework.

    Back to top

     
  7. What occurs during the two years of ProSEMS?
    Candidates, if accepted, spend two years together in a cohort group. Coursework begins in the summer semester. During the first year, candidates work as a paraeducator while taking evening classes. By the end of the first year of the program, ProSEMS candidates must complete the following:

    • Earn a GPA of at least 3.0 in all graduate coursework
    • Take Praxis II exam in Special Education

    Candidates who fail to successfully complete the above requirements by the end of the first summer of the program will not be permitted to enter the long term sub position. Candidates are assigned their own classroom and continue to take coursework throughout the year.

    Back to top

     
  8. Do I get to select my own school for my long term substitute placement?
    The long term sub placement will be determined by the needs of the school system. Consideration to commute from home cannot be guaranteed because students are placed in existing vacancies.

    Back to top

     
  9. What if I'm not sure about teaching as a career or what area of disability I want to teach?
    You may wish to apply instead to one of our other program options that provide more time for such decisions.  Because the Montgomery Professional Immersion Program prepares teacher candidates in a very short period of time, and then places them in their own classrooms within a year, it is imperative that candidates be committed to teaching as a career.

    Back to top

     
  10. Where are JHU ProSEMS classes taught and who are the instructors?
    Many classes are taught at the JHU Montgomery County Campus in Rockville. Some courses may also be taught at the JHU Columbia Center. JHU faculty and faculty associates in the Department of Special Education serve as instructors. Some of our faculty associates are practicing professionals in schools.

    Back to top

     
  11. Do Secondary/Adult Education ProSEMS candidates need to complete the same content area courses as Secondary Education ProMAT candidates?
    No. All ProSEMS candidates who successfully complete the Montgomery Professional Immersion Program will be eligible for generic certification in special education, which has different certification requirements than those required for ProMAT candidates who will be eligible for certification in general education.

    Back to top

     
  12. Will I be considered "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind?
    At this time, the state and federal governments have not determined the criteria to identify special educators "Highly Qualified" under NCLB. You may be required to take Praxis II exams in general education content area subjects.

    Back to top

     
  13. How will I be supported through my ProSEMS experience?
    JHU courses and seminars are also designed to support candidates. The ProSEMS Coordinator is also the ProSEMS students' JHU adviser and works with them throughout the entire two-year program.

    Back to top

     
  14. What happens if I am unsuccessful in spite of the supports provided?
    A cohort member may be directed to withdraw from the partnership as a result of an unsatisfactory evaluation from the university supervisor, program coordinator, or MCPS administrator.  Dismissal from the teaching position constitutes withdrawal from the ProSEMS partnership, and the candidate will be billed for all tuition, fees and books paid for by MCPS.  The cohort member may be allowed to continue in one of the other JHU programs at his/her own expense after all tuition, fees and books have been repaid.

    Back to top

     
  15. What are my responsibilities in the ProSEMS Program?
    Each candidate must sign a Memorandum of Understanding, which obligates him/her to repay MCPS for tuition should she/he elect to leave or be asked to leave the program. Candidates must teach two years in MCPS after being offered a contract as part of the program obligation. If a candidate fails to complete the entire two-year teaching commitment for any reason, she/he is responsible for repaying all tuition paid for by the partnership.

    Back to top

     
  16. Do I receive health or other benefits in the ProSEMS program?
    Candidates do not receive health insurance from MCPS during their second year but can apply for and purchase health insurance as a student through JHU. Call (410) 516-9816 for more information. Social security tax is taken out of the second year stipend.

    Back to top

     
  17. Is additional scholarship money available?
    Scholarship information is available through the JHU Financial Aid Office  Web site, or you may or call 410-516-9808.

    Back to top