Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary and Special Education Licensure
Description
This dual-focus program is grounded in the principles of inclusion — that all individuals can learn and have the right to do so in a classroom within their own community and with learners their own age.
With a focus on cultivating teachers who will serve as powerful advocates for their future students, we employ recent scholarship to ensure that our students become expert in the philosophy and bases of inclusive practice and that they are able to recognize and implement excellent programming in their own classrooms. We emphasize teaching practice, and students obtain pre-practicum experiences in a variety of settings throughout the program.
We offer coursework that strengthens fluency in elementary-level subject matter knowledge to ensure that our teacher candidates will be able to confidently offer access to curricular content for all learners. Students take methods courses that incorporate instruction in a variety of learning styles in reading and language arts, math, social studies and science. Our students also study the cultural and historical foundation of the American school, special education laws & regulations and developmental psychology as it applies to learning and teaching strategies. With special education now considered a high need teaching area in nearly every U.S. state, our dual licensure graduates possess a highly sought set of skills and the flexibility to pursue jobs in a variety of classroom settings in both public and private schools.
Upon successful completion of the program, the Education Department will endorse students for their Elementary Education 1-6 license and students will apply for the Moderate Disabilities PreK-8 license on their own.
Learning Outcomes
Simmons’s Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary and Special Education Licensure program addresses the Massachusetts Department of Education’s standards for Subject Matter Knowledge and Professional Standards for Teachers.
Licensure
The Simmons University Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary and Special Education Licensure program is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) for endorsement in Elementary License for grades 1-6 and as preparation for Add-On licensure in Moderate Special needs for grades PreK-8.
Degree Requirements
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Elementary and Special Education
52 credits of coursework and a full school year internship.
| SPND 446 | Learners with Special Needs | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 467 | Math for the Elementary Classroom | 4.00 |
| TESL 417 | Sheltered English Instruction | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 430 | Inclusive Lesson Planning | 2 |
| GEDUC 445 | Educational Psychology | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 464 | Reading & Language Arts for the Elementary Classroom | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 461 | Social Studies, Science & the Arts For the Elementary Classroom | 4.00 |
| SPND 441 | Classroom Management for Learners With Needs in Inclusive Settings | 4.00 |
| SPND 436 | Formal & Informal Assessment | 4.00 |
| SPND 420 | Introduction to Assistive Technology | 2.00 |
| SPND 444 | Special Education Laws & Regulations For Teachers & Administrators | 2.00 |
| SPND 445 | Individualized Education Program: Strategies for Development, Interpretation & Implementation | 2.00 |
| GEDUC 480 | Practicum: Elementary Education (1-6) | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 401 | Seminar in Teaching and Learning at the Elementary Level | 4.00 |
| SPND 438 | Practicum: Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) | 2.00 |
| SPND 439 | Practicum: Moderate Disabilities (5-12) | 2.00 |
| SPND 488 | Seminar & Fieldwork in Education | 8.00 |
Secondary and Moderate Special Needs
50 credits of coursework and a full school year internship.
| GEDUC 445 | Educational Psychology | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 445 | Educational Psychology | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 464 | Reading & Language Arts for the Elementary Classroom | 4.00 |
| TESL 417 | Sheltered English Instruction | 4.00 |
| SPND 420 | Introduction to Assistive Technology | 2.00 |
| SPND 446 | Learners with Special Needs | 4.00 |
| SPND 444 | Special Education Laws & Regulations For Teachers & Administrators | 2.00 |
| SPND 445 | Individualized Education Program: Strategies for Development, Interpretation & Implementation | 2.00 |
| SPND 436 | Formal & Informal Assessment | 4.00 |
| SPND 439 | Practicum: Moderate Disabilities (5-12) | 2.00 |
| SPND 488 | Seminar & Fieldwork in Education | 8.00 |
Licensure
The Simmons College Master of Arts in Teaching Dual General and Special Education Licensure program is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) to lead to both a general education initial license and a moderate disabilities add-on license in Massachusetts.
The Master of Arts in Teaching Dual General and Special Education Licensure program at Simmons is approved by DESE to lead to initial teaching licensure for the following general education fields and grade levels: Elementary Education (1-6)
Additionally, this program is approved by DESE to lead to add-on licensure in Moderate Disabilities for grades PreK-8 or grades 5-12.