2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Accelerated M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education (36 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 accelerated program for Lesley undergraduate education students in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, or Secondary School programs leads to a master’s degree and one of three licenses. 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. Each licensure option requires content and pedagogical coursework with field-based assignments, a supervised pre-practicum experience, and a supervised 14-week practicum experience that provides application and refinement of skills across a variety of settings serving students with Individual Educational Programs.

Program Prerequisites: Initial Teacher License from Lesley University Early Childhood (Prek-2), Elementary (1-6), Middle School (5-8) or High School (8-12) with SEI endorsement. Included in this is meeting all initial licensure requirements including all coursework to meet cross-cutting Subject Matter Knowledge standards including the Sheltered English Immersion endorsement, and a pre-practicum and practicum requirement.

All courses must be completed with a grade of B- or better with a Cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Practicum Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of core and license-specific courses, pre-practicum hours, and appropriate Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). This full-time, full-semester experience is accompanied by a weekly seminar and requires a field experience fee.

Program of Study

EECLD 6001 and EECLD 6115 will be taken junior year.
EINSE 5100 and EINSE 6134 will be taken senior year.

Required courses

EECLD 6001Culturally Responsive Pedagogies: Equity & Agency

3

EECLD 6115Sheltered English Instruction PreK-12

3

EINSE 5100Inclusive Education and Assistive Technologies/AAC

3

EINSE 6134Developing IEPs in Collaboration with Schools and Families

3

EINSE 6107Assessment for Instructional Design and Decision Making

3

EINSE 6124Formal Assessment in Special Education

3

EINSE 6143Positive Behavior Support: Shifts in Paradigms and Practices

3

EINSE 6128Targeted Math: Access and Fluency

3

Select One

EINSE 6014Targeted Reading and Writing Instruction

3

EECLD 6011Foundations in Bilingual Special Education

3

Moderate Disabilities Required Course

EINSE 6165Dyslexia: Neurobiology, Assessment, and Intervention

3

Severe Disabilities Required Course

EINSE 6154Curriculum, Instruction, and Supports: Severe Disabilities

3

Practicum

EEDUC 7733Seminar and Practicum for Educator Initial Licensure

6