Master of Science in Education: Special Education, Moderate or Severe Disabilities
Description
Our programs in special education are 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.
Our candidates take courses to strengthen their fluency in subject matter knowledge so they will be able to offer access to curricular content to all learners. Methods courses incorporate instruction in a variety of learning styles in subjects such as reading and language arts, mathematics, social studies and science. Our students also study the cultural and historical foundation of the American school, special education laws and regulations, and developmental psychology as applied to learning and teaching strategies. With special education now considered a high-need teaching area in nearly every U.S. state, our graduates possess a highly sought-after set of skills and the flexibility to pursue jobs in many classroom settings in both public and private schools.
Upon successful completion of the program, the Simmons University Program in Education will endorse students for their Special Needs license for Moderate Disabilities PreK-8, Moderate Disabilities 5-12, or Severe Disabilities for all grades.
Learning Outcomes
Simmons University’s Master of Science in Education: Special Education, Moderate or Severe Disabilities program addresses the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s standards for Subject Matter Knowledge and Professional Standards for Teachers.
Requirements for Entry into the Program
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. A grade point average of B (3.0) or higher is preferred. A passing MTEL score for an MTEL in Communications/Literacy or General Curriculum is required. Applicants interview with a faculty member to make certain that the program is a good fit.
Licensure
The Simmons University Master of Science in Education: Special Education, Moderate or Severe Disabilities program is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for endorsement in Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (grades PreK-8 or 5-12) or Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (all grade levels). Teacher candidates prepared at Simmons University may take advantage of the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, which allows teachers to earn an equivalent license in another state or the District of Columbia pending completion of any state-specific prerequisites for the license in that jurisdiction.
Non-Licensure Option
Students who are interested in pursuing a 40-credit Master of Science in Education: Special Education without licensure can devise a program of study with their advisor.
Degree Requirements
Master of Science in Education Severe Special Needs All Levels (46-credit program)
In this program, students complete 46 credits of coursework and participate in a year-long school placement, completing a full-time pre-practicum and a full-time practicum. Students can expect to complete this program in 24 months of full-time study.
| RDG 410 | Multisensory Structured Language Strategies for Reading | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 467 | Math Methods | 4.00 |
| SPND 420 | Introduction to Assistive Technology | 2.00 |
| BEHV 424 | Introduction to Behavior Analysis | 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 446 | Learners with Special Needs | 4.00 |
| SPND 436 | Formal & Informal Assessment | 4.00 |
| SPND 448 | Foundations of Transition Education & Services | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 430 | Inclusive Lesson Planning | 2 |
| TESL 417 | Sheltered English Instruction | 4.00 |
| SPND 467 | Practicum: Severe | 4.00 |
| SPND 487 | Seminar | 2.00 |
| SPND 468 | Practicum: Severe Disabilities (Levels: All) | 4.00 |
| SPND 488 | Seminar & Fieldwork in Education | 2 |
| SPND 400DL | Digital Literacy Modules | 0 |
Master of Science in Education Moderate Special Needs PreK-8 or 5-12 (48-credit program)
In this program, students complete 48 credits of coursework and participate in a year-long school placement, completing a full-time pre-practicum and a full-time practicum. Students can expect to complete this program in 24 months of full-time study.
| SPND 446 | Learners with Special Needs | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 467 | Math Methods | 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 Methods | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 461 | Social Studies, Science & the Arts Methods | 4.00 |
| SPND 441 | Creating a Caring Classroom Community | 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 |
| SPND 487 | Seminar | 2.00 |
| SPND 438 | Practicum: Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) | 2.00 |
| OR | |
| SPND 439 | Practicum: Moderate Disabilities (5-12) | 2.00 |
| SPND 488 | Seminar & Fieldwork in Education | 2 |
| SPND 400DL | Digital Literacy Modules | 0 |
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