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

Program of Study

• ED 525 - Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis in Special Education (Cr: 3)
• ED 534 - Measurement and Experimental Evaluation of Behavioral Intervention (Cr: 3)
• ED 541 - Behavioral Assessment (Cr: 3)
• ED 554 - Behavior Change Procedures and System Supports (Cr: 3)
• ED 565 - Education Law and Ethical Issues in Behavior Analysis (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)

• Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12)

• Pre-practicum course

• 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)

• Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12)

• Practicum placements will be appropriate to the level of the license sought, Pre-K–8 and 5–12, and will meet the required clock hours for those levels.

• 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)

• Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12)

• Practicum placements will be appropriate to the level of the license sought, Pre-K–8 and 5–12, and will meet the required clock hours for those levels.

• SPN 564 - English, Language Arts, and Social Science for Diverse Learners (Cr: 3)
• SPN 567 - Mathematics and Science for Diverse Learners (Cr: 3)

Plus Comprehensive Examination

Total Degree Requirements: 42 credits

Completion Requirements

To successfully exit from the M.Ed./BCBA program with Initial License in Severe Disabilities and qualification to sit for the BACB certification examination, students must successfully complete all of the required courses and fieldwork. In addition, teachers seeking Massachusetts licensure as a teacher of students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK–8) must pass the MTEL General Curriculum test and Foundations of Reading Test in addition to passing the Communication and Literacy test. Students seeking Moderate Disabilities licensure (5–12) may chose to substitute a subject matter test (5–8 or 8–12) for the general curriculum test in addition to the required Communications and Literacy and Foundations of Reading tests. A Competency Review is also required of all Moderate Disabilities licenses. Students may be advised to take additional subject matter courses for meeting the above DESE requirements.

Students seeking a BCBA credential must take and pass the qualifying examination administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).