Special Education - Initial License, Master of Education

The Masters degree program in Special Education is designed to help teachers who wish to upgrade their knowledge and skills in the field of special education. It also serves those with bachelor’s or advanced degrees who want to gain a more comprehensive knowledge of special education in the school systems. Parents, administrators, and community service workers have benefited from this program. This program qualifies students to apply for initial teacher licensure as a teacher of students with moderate disabilities PK-8 or 5-12 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites

A bachelor’s degree with grades of merit from an accredited college or university, with an arts and sciences major, or a major appropriate to the teaching license sought (e.g., physical education, computer sciences, or technology)

Students who have not previously taken any education courses may need to complete introductory course work that does not count towards the degree requirements

Attach your academic writing sample to the end of your personal statement in the online application, please refer to Graduate Admissions for more information.

An interview with a member of the admissions committee. You will be contacted to schedule your interview after your application is complete.

A passing score on the Communication and Literacy skills portion of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure

Program Requirements

Special Educaton Courses

THE FOLLOWING COURSES, PROGRAMMATIC ASSESSMENTS, AND MTELs MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO PRACTICUM

Methods Subject Matter (6 credits)

Select one of the combinations below:

Practicum Courses*

Total Credits: 30**-42

Additional Information and Notes

*Candidates for initial licensure must take and pass all required sections of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure prior to entering the practicum.

**Students who enter the program with specific course competencies taken prior to admission may be eligible for a reduction in the overall number of degree credits in the program. The degree will require a minimum of 30 credits to complete, but if a student has demonstrated that they have taken a course in a similar competency, they do not need to retake the corresponding course at Salem State University.

^EDS 860 A candidate who holds an SEI Endorsement may use the endorsement to satisfy this requirement.