Special Education - Initial License, Master of Education

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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-2, 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.

Program Requirements

Special Education 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 - 40.5

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.

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

Variable Credit

Variable credit programs are designed to address a student’s academic plan while adhering to the program requirements and standards of the profession. Based on their background (e.g., prior coursework, select endorsements), some students may be approved for the minimum number of credits of the program and other students may need additional coursework. Students will work with the Graduate Program Coordinator to determine the best fit of courses within the structure of the program and propose the Plan of Study to the School of Graduate Studies for review and approval. The degree will require the stated minimum 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.