Special Needs: Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12)

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Master of Education in Special Needs: Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (Pre-K–8, 5–12)

The curriculum for the Special Needs programs leading to licensure in Moderate Disabilities addresses theories of language development, including differences between first and second language acquisition and the effects of disabilities on learning and vocabulary development. The program explores diagnosis and assessment of that development; theories, concepts, and methods of assessment; educational terminology for students with mild to moderate disabilities; study of individualized Education Programs; curriculum development for students with mild to moderate disabilities; behavioral management principles; innovative practices emphasizing students with special needs; and the required pre-practicum and practicum experiences as described below.

Specific Admission Requirements

Application form and fee;
Statement of professional goals;
Official transcripts of all academic work (at a minimum a Bachelor degree);
Two letters of recommendation;
A passing score on the Communication and Literacy Test (MTEL)
A copy of all Massachusetts teacher licenses, if any; and
Official score on either the Miller Analogies Test or GRE.

Program of Study

Note: SPN Courses are required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12).

ED 581 - Technology in Education (Cr:3)
ED 582 - Research Methods (Cr: 3)
EDC 570 - Understanding the Dynamics of Student Aspirations (Cr: 3)
SPN 500 - Special Education Service Delivery and Inclusion (Cr: 3)
Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12)
SPN 501 - Methods and Materials for Curriculum Development of Special Needs Programs (Cr: 3)
Pre-Practicum course
Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12)
SPN 502 - Curriculum Development for Learners with Special Needs (Cr: 3)
Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12)
SPN 504 - Assessment and Educational Planning (Cr: 3)
Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12)
SPN 505 - Reflective Seminar: Teacher of Special Needs (Cr: 3)
Practicum placements will be appropriate to the level of the license sought, Pre-K–8 or 5 – 12 and will meet the required clock hours for those levels.
Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12)
SPN 506 - Nature and Needs of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Cr: 3)
Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12)
SPN 510 - Practicum Experience: Teacher of Special Needs (Cr: 1)
Practicum placements will be appropriate to the level of the license sought, Pre-K–8 or 5 – 12 and will meet the required clock hours for those levels.
Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12)
SPN 564 - English, Language Arts, and Social Science for Diverse Learners (Cr: 3)
SPN 567 - Mathematics and Science for Diverse Learners (Cr: 3)

Comprehensive Examination

Total degree requirements: 36 cr.

Completion Requirements

To exit from the Special Needs program for Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities, students must successfully complete all of the required courses and fieldwork. Prior to entering the practicum, teachers seeking a license as a teacher of students with moderate disabilities for Pre-K–8 must pass the General Curriculum test in addition to passing the Communication and Literacy and the Foundations of Readings tests. Those seeking this license for 5–12 must pass either the General Curriculum test or a subject matter test in one of the core academic subjects taught in 5–8 or 8–12 (such as History) in addition to passing the Communication and Literacy and the Foundations of Reading Tests. Students may be advised to take additional subject matter courses for meeting the above Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements.