M.A. in Special Education
Degree Requirements
Candidates for the Master of Arts in Special Education are required to complete a ten-course, 30-credit program to develop systematically the knowledge and skills essential to demonstrate competence as a teacher of students with mild or moderate disabilities. While some flexibility is afforded those enrolled in the Master of Arts in Special Education program who do not seek Massachusetts educator licensure, institutional endorsement for the Massachusetts Initial License for Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8; 5-12) requires at a minimum , successful completion of all ten listed courses. Please note that enrollment in some courses, including the practicum, may require the prior approval of the education program faculty or the completion of prerequisite course(s) beyond the ten required courses listed below. Those degree candidates who do not seek Massachusetts teacher licensure must substitute an approved elective for the practicum.
Program of Study: Master of Arts in Special Education, Initial License
EDU 512 - Introduction to Research in Education
SED 560 - Foundations of Special Education
PSY/SED 562 - Physical, Cognitive, and Language Developmental Pathways and Challenges
PSY/SED 564 - Social and Emotional Developmental Pathways and Challenges
PSY/SED 566 - Assessment of Special Learning Needs of Children and Adolescents (prerequisite or concurrent course: PSY/SED 562 or 564)
PSY/SED 568 - Behavioral Assessment and Interventions (prerequisite or concurrent course: PSD/SED 562 or 564)
SED 570 - Inclusion: Theory and Classroom Practice (prerequisite: SED 560)
EDU 552 - Foundations of Reading: Theory to CLassroom Practice
OR
EDU 572 - Teaching Children and Adolescents with Reading Problems (prerequisite: EDU 325, EDU 552, or equivalent course OR evidence of passing score on the MTEL Foundations of Reading Test)
EDU 574 - Teaching Children and Adolescents with Problems in Mathematics
SED 590* - Practicum and Seminar: Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities
* Candidates who do not seek Massachusetts teacher licensure must substitute an approved elective for the practicum.
Relevant Courses in Education/Special Education
SED 551 - Speech and Language Development and Interventions
SED 567 - Seminar: Advanced Assessment of Special Learning Needs
SED 580 - Learning Disabilities
EDU/SED 600 - Special Topics in Education/Special Education
EDU/SED 700 - Directed Study in Education/Special Education
Program of Study: Master of Arts in Special Education,
Professional License
EDU 512 - Introduction to Research in Education
OR
EDU 703 - Advanced Research Seminar
ONE of the following language and literacy courses:
- EDU 553 - Teaching Writing
- EDU 554 - Reading and Writing in the Content Areas (5-12)
- SED 551 - Speech and Language Development and Interventions
- EDU 572 - Teaching Children and Adolescents with Reading Difficulties
- EDU 650 - Seminar: Literature for Children and Young Adults
EDU 575 - Seminar: Strategies in Teaching Mathematics to Students with Moderate Disabilities
SED 567 - Seminar: Advanced Assessment of Special Learning Needs
SED 571A - Curriculum and Methods for Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8)
OR
SED 571B - Curriculum and Methods for Students with Moderate Disabilities (5-12)
SED 580 - Learning Disabilities
SED 585 - Understanding and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Emotional Disorders
SED 591A - Performance Assessment and Seminar: Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8)
OR
SED 591B Performance Assessment and Seminar: Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (5-12)
Elective Courses (2)
EDU 515 - Diversity in Schooling
EDU 520 - Teaching and Learning
EDU 553 - Teaching Writing
EDU 554 - Reading and Writing in the Content Areas (5-12)
EDU 572 - Teaching Children and Adolescents with Reading Difficulties
EDU 600C - All History is Local: Using the Massachusetts History & Social Sciences Framework
SED 551 - Speech and Language Development and Interventions
SRS 500A - Introduction to Developmental Disabilities: Theory and Practice
SRS 525 - Psychosocial and Environmental Aspects of Disabilities
EDU/SED 600 - Special Topics
EDU/SED 700 - Directed Study