M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Dual License Program 50 credits
This program has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for Initial License in Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8), Moderate Disabilities (5-12) or Severe Disabilities (All Levels) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
This program leads to a Master’s degree and one of the following dual license options:
- Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) and Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (All Levels)
- Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (5-12) and Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (All Levels)
- Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) and Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (5-12)
It provides the knowledge and skills to teach, support, and advocate for individuals with disabilities in their schools and communities. Grounded in evidence-based practices, including curriculum, assessment, specialized instruction, positive behavioral support, and collaboration, the program emphasizes a humanistic and inclusive approach to special education, an approach in which problem solving, engagement, self-determination, and a sense of social justice are promoted for all.
Program Prerequisites:
Active Initial or Professional teacher license with SEI endorsement OR
- An approved child development or adolescent course (varies depending on licensure area)
- An approved general education math methods course
- An approved general education literacy methods course
- A DESE-approved SEI course/endorsement
Prerequisites may be waived based on previously-completed coursework or professional experience. Prior coursework must be completed with a grade of B or better. Students may be accepted into the program without the prerequisites and will develop an advisor-approved plan for completion of equivalent courses.
Orientation Requirement: Accepted students must complete a new student orientation at the start of their first semester (taken in conjunction with ESPED 5020).
Practicum prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of core and license-specific courses, 100 pre-practicum hours, and appropriate Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) requirements. The full-time, full-semester practicum is accompanied by a weekly seminar and requires a field experience fee.
Courses may have prerequisites for registration; please check course descriptions. Courses may be waived based on previous coursework, which may reduce the total number of program credits. Minimum program credits: 43
Program of Study
Please note that students will need to register for a zero-credit pre-practicum workshop, EWKSP 6131, concurrent with ESPED 6130.
Core Coursework (29 credits):
| ESPED 5020 | The Special Education Profession: Orientation & Overview | 1 |
| ESPED 5100 | Inclusion, Social Justice, and Disability | 3 |
| ESPED 6130 | Speech, Language, and AAC | 3 |
| EWKSP 6131 | Pre-Practicum: Inclusive Special Education | 0 |
| ESPED 5114 | Universal Curriculum Design and Assistive Technology | 3 |
| ESPED 6124 | Formal Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| ESPED 6134 | Developing IEPs in Collaboration with Schools and Families | 3 |
| ESPED 6107 | Assessment for Instructional Design and Decision Making | 3 |
| ESPED 6014 | Targeted Reading and Writing Instruction | 3 |
| ESPED 6128 | Targeted Math and Science Instruction: Access and Fluency | 3 |
| ESPED 6143 | Positive Behavior Support: Shifts in Paradigms and Practices | 4 |
Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) Coursework (9 credits):
| EEDUC 6173 | Literacy in the Disciplines (1-6) | 3 |
| ESPED 7717 | Practicum and Seminar in Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) | 6 |
Moderate Disabilities (5-12) Coursework (12 credits):
| EEDUC 6170 | Middle and High School Content Literacy | 3 |
| ESPED 6150 | Laying the Groundwork: Fundamentals of Transition | 3 |
| ESPED 7718 | Practicum and Seminar in Moderate Disabilities (5-12) | 6 |
Severe Disabilities (All) Coursework 12 credits
| ESPED 6150 | Laying the Groundwork: Fundamentals of Transition | 3 |
| ESPED 6154 | Curriculum, Instruction, and Supports: Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| ESPED 7719 | Practicum and Seminar in Severe Disabilities | 6 |