Special Education (Master of Education)

There are 6 tracks in the Special Education programs: 1) The 36 credit Master’s which leads to Massachusetts Initial Licensure in moderate disabilities (Pk-8); 2) The 36 credit Master’s which leads to Massachusetts Initial Licensure in moderate disabilities (5-12); 3) The 36 credit Master’s which leads to Massachusetts Initial Licensure in severe disabilities; 4) The 36 credit Master’s in moderate or severe disabilities which does not lead to Massachusetts Initial Licensure; 5) The 36 credit Master’s in moderate disabilities that leads to Massachusetts Professional licensure; and 6) the 36 credit Master’s in severe disabilities that leads to Massachusetts Professional licensure.

The curriculum for the Special Education programs leading to licensure in Moderate and Severe 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 programs explore diagnosis and assessment of that development; theories, concepts, and methods of assessment; educational terminology for students with mild to severe disabilities; study of Individualized Education Programs; curriculum development for students with disabilities; principles of behavior management; innovative practices emphasizing students with disabilities; and the required pre-practicum and practicum experiences as described below.