Special Needs and Behavioral Studies: Initial Licensure in Severe Disabilities (All)

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Please Note: These programs fulfill the educational requirements to sit for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) examination.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program students will:

Demonstrate skill in planning curriculum and instruction, delivering effective instruction, managing classroom climate, promoting equity, and meeting professional standards
Demonstrate ability to collect, analyze, synthesize, and apply measurement data.
Demonstrate knowledge of and approach to subject matter.
Demonstrate knowledge of typical child development and exceptionalities.
Demonstrate acquisition of the knowledge, prinicples, and skills of Applied Behavior Analysis.

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 Severe Disabilities (All)
SPN 501 - * Methods and Materials for Curriculum Development of Special Needs Programs ** (Cr: 3)
Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Severe Disabilities (All)
Pre-practicum course
SPN 504 - * Assessment and Educational Planning (Cr: 3)
Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Severe Disabilities (All)
SPN 508 - * Functional Curriculum and Educational Planning: Severe Disabilities (Cr: 3)
Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Severe Disabilities (All)
SPN 511 - * Assistive Classroom Technology for Students with Disabilities ** (Cr: 3)
Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Severe Disabilities (All)
SPN 516 - * Reflective Seminar: Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities *** (Cr: 3)
Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Severe Disabilities (All)
Practicum placements will be appropriate to the level of the license sought, PreK–8 or 5–12, and will meet the required clock hours for those levels.
SPN 519 - * Practicum Experience: Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities ** (Cr: 3)
Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Severe Disabilities (All)
Practicum placements will be appropriate to the level of the license sought, PreK–8 or 5–12, and will meet the required clock hours for those levels.
SPN 526 - Nature and Needs of Students with Severe Disabilities (Cr: 3)
Required for obtaining Initial Licensure in Severe Disabilities (All)
SPN 565 - * English, Language Arts, and Social Science for Severely Disabled 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 Severe Disabilities (all levels) must pass the MTEL General Curriculum test in addition to passing the Communication and Literacy test. Students may be advised to take additional subject matter courses for meeting the above DESE requirements.

Students seeking a BCBA credential must fulfill both the educational and experiential requirements identified by the BACB and must take and pass the qualifying examination administered by the BACB.