Bermuda College and Miami University have come together to offer a Masters degree programme, focusing on special education on the Island.

The two schools yesterday announced a memorandum of understanding to introduce the Special Education Online Hybrid (SEOH) programme to the Island.

Bermuda College president Duranda Green said: “Bermuda College is committed to providing teacher certification on a variety of levels to local educators seeking to advance in their profession without having to leave the Island.

“This is one more partnership that fulfills that commitment to our community. And again, there is the promise of more to come in the not too distant future.”

She said that Miami University already has a connection with the Island as the Ohio-based school’s College of Education, Health and Society has been the institute of choice for many local educators seeking graduate, undergraduate and certification overseas.

“The programme provides a flexible instructional framework to address the desire and need for certified and licensed Special Education teachers in Bermuda,” Dr Green said.

“Through shared ownership and joint administration of the programme, Miami faculty will benefit from the opportunity to engage in special education in the Bermuda context, while providing a strong mentoring component, tight integration between course and fieldwork and tremendous potential for establishing active learning communities focused on shaping Special Education reform.”

The programme will allow students to choose between studying for a Masters degree in Education with a specialisation in special education with licensure or the degree with initial certification if they do not yet have teaching credentials.

“The career options and the direct benefit to those students with special needs in Bermuda are significant,” Dr Green added. “It is our expectation to begin the first cohort this Fall, and we invite those interested to learn more by contacting the PACE Office.

“We are also pleased to partner with the Department of Workforce Development who will be providing funding for successful applicants to this programme.”