MEd—Special Education
Interim Chair
Mary Ellen Efferen, EdD, Moderate Disabilities
Graduate Program Chairs
Rosemarie Giovino, EdD, Reading Specialist
Anne Howard, PhD, Severe Disabilities and Guided Studies
Graduate Committee
Ronald Colbert, EdD
Randy Howe, EdD
Patricia Smith, EdD
Master’s Programs
The Special Education Department has developed a variety of innovative master's programs to meet teacher candidate and PK-12 district needs.
Program Description
The MEd in Special Education program is designed to prepare students for careers in teaching children with disabilities. The degree offers students preparation in one of four programs areas:
- Teacher of students with moderate disabilities (PreK-8 or 5-12)
- Teacher of students with severe disabilities
- Reading specialist
- Guided studies
Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities
This program prepares graduates to work with students with severe disabilities at all levels.
This program begins each September at the Massachusetts Bay Community College in Wellesley. Cohorts will also begin in September 2006, 2008 and 2010 at the Merrimack Education Center (MEC) in Chelmsford.
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities
Students may choose to work at grade levels Pre-K through 8, or 5-12. This program meets at the Fitchburg State College campus.
Information on all MEd in Special Education Programs is available through the Special Education Department 978-665-3308. Informational meetings are held at the Special Education Department office on the third Thursday of specific months from 4 to 5 p.m. at the McKay Campus School. Call for specific dates.
Please Note: The Massachusetts Department of Education continually revises teacher education standards and requirements for licensure. As a result, students are advised that Special Education Department program requirements are also subject to change to maintain compliance with both State and professional standards. The Special Education Department at Fitchburg State College makes a concerted effort to notify students of changes in program requirements and regulations as soon as they are officially published by the State Department of Education. When appropriate, the Special Education Department advises students of potential changes in advance of formal announcement and implementation.
The Special Education Department will work with teacher candidates and the school districts to meet these requirements. Through a nationally accredited and state approved curriculum, the program provides the content and experiences that will lead to initial licensure, provided the candidate has met other state requirements, such as the employment and Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) requirements. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to attend an informational meeting to more fully understand the requirements they must meet to acquire licensure.
Program Objectives
Program prepares graduates to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the field of special education, including legislation and litigation that has affected the rights of individuals with disabilities
- Demonstrate competence in teaching that leads to success for all students in the least restrictive environment
- Evaluate students to determine their educational needs and to design appropriate programs
- Collaborate with teachers and parents to develop effective teaching strategies that will enhance student's learning
- Demonstrate sensitivity, understanding and respect for children and adults from diverse cultural, religious, ethnic, and racial backgrounds
Admissions Standards and Criteria
To apply for enrollment in the Master of Education in Special Education Program, a student must submit documents as outlined in the Graduate Admission section, as well as:
- Applicants to graduate initial licensure teacher preparation programs must successfully complete the literacy and communication subtests of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) and submit passing scores as part of their application. In addition, students must successfully pass the appropriate content area exam(s) of the MTEL prior to clinical experience as well as the Foundation of Reading Exam (Moderate Program only) and General Curriculum (formerly Elementary) for both the severe and moderate programs. For students pursuing moderate disabilities grades 5-12 initial licensure, an MTEL content specific examination (e.g. math, English) may be substituted for the General Curriculum. For the most current information regarding licensure requirements for teacher preparation programs, contact the Educator Licensure Office at (978) 665-3239.
Program Requirements
Students interested in the master's program may be required to take prerequisite courses depending on their previous course work and/or teaching certificate(s). Prospective students should attend an informational meeting and meet with an advisor from the Special Education Department to determine prerequisite courses that need to be completed. Prerequisite courses include:
- SPED 7020 Modifying and Adapting Curriculum: Math, Science, Social Studies
- SPED 7025 Pedagogy in Reading and Language Arts
- Child or Adolescent Development (qualifying exam available)
Program of Study
Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities: Initial Licensure Program
Required Courses (Effective September 2003)
Summer I
SPED 7004 Working with Individuals with Disabilities 3 S.H.
SPED 8300 Language Development, Differences and Disorders 3 S.H.
Fall I
SPED 8020 Behavior Analysis and Support for Students with Severe Disabilities 3 S.H.
SPED 8021 Curriculum Frameworks and Alternate Assessments 3 S.H.
Spring I
SPED 7950 Physical and Medical Aspects of Working with Children with Disabilities 3 S.H.
SPED 8022 Augmentative and Alternative Communications 3 S.H.
Summer I
SPED 9000 Research in Special Education 3 S.H.
SPED XXXX Elective 3 S.H.
Fall II
SPED 8023 Services and Supports from Birth through Adulthood 3 S.H.
SPED 8024 Program Development in the Functional Domains 3 S.H.
SPED 8862 Clinical Experience: Severe Disabilities (course extends through spring II) 6 S.H.
Spring II
SPED 9200 Consultation and Collaboration Strategies 3 S.H.
SPED 9002 Research Application Seminar (taken concurrently with SPED 8862) 1 S.H.
Total for Degree 40 S.H.
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities: Initial Licensure Program
Required Courses
SPED 7004 Working with Individuals with Disabilities 3 S.H.
SPED 8300 Language Development, Differences and Disorders 3 S.H.
SPED 8180 Positive Behavioral Supports for Students with Disabilities 3 S.H.
SPED 8914 Assessment, Curriculum, Strategies in Reading/Language Arts 6 S.H.
SPED 8924 Assessment, Curriculum, Strategies for Math, Science, Social Studies and Cognitive Assessment 6 S.H.
SPED 8962 Clinical Experience 6 S.H.
SPED 9002 Research Application Seminar 1 S.H.
SPED 9200 Collaboration Skills for Teachers 3 S.H.
SPED 9130 Reading and Language Problems: Advanced 3 S.H.
SPED 9000 Research in Special Education 3 S.H.
SPED XXXX Electives 3 S.H.
Total for Degree 40 S.H.
Reading Specialist
This program is a comprehensive re-design of teacher preparation in the area of reading. It defines the knowledge and skills necessary for effective assessment, instruction and leadership in the field of reading. It responds to the needs of school districts by preparing specialists in leadership roles, as well as to the needs of students with a wide range of abilities.
The Reading Specialist Program provides candidates who hold initial licenses in early childhood, elementary, middle school or special education with a rigorous, research based curriculum, a range of assessment, teaching and staff development opportunities. Candidates receive a master's degree in special education with the preparation for the state license examination for initial licensure: reading specialist.
The program is in the process of being reviewed by the Massachusetts Department of Education and the National Council for the Accreditation for Teacher Education.
Program Prerequisites
- Children's Literature or Literature of Young Adults
- Child Development (Child Growth and Development)
- Principles and Practices of Teaching Reading or equivalent.
- Language Development, Differences and Disorders
- Research in Education or Special Education
- An initial teaching license
Required Courses
SPED/READ 7016 Understanding the Structure of the English Language 3 S.H.
SPED/READ 7017 Psychology of Reading 3 S.H.
SPED/READ 8017 Specialized Reading Approaches 3 S.H.
SPED/READ 8018 Reading Disabilities and the Assessment of Reading 3 S.H.
SPED/READ 8019 The Assessment of Writing Skills and Writing Disabilities 3 S.H.
SPED/READ 9012 The Reading Specialist: Leadership Roles 3 S.H.
SPED/READ 9100 Advanced Research in Reading 3 S.H.
SPED/READ 9101 Practicum (Reading Specialist) 6 S.H.
Three Electives 9 S.H.
Total for Degree 36 S.H.
Guided Study Program Description
The Guided Study Program is designed to meet the needs of two groups of teachers who already hold special education licensure.
- Students who hold initial licensure as teachers of students with moderate disabilities or severe disabilities, and who are seeking professional licensure in the same area and level, will pursue the Guided Studies Professional Track.
- Students who are not interested in a teaching license or already hold standard or professional licensure in special education, and who are interested in further development of their individual interests and skills, will pursue the Guided Studies Individualized Track. Students in this track work with an advisor to identify and receive approval for three goal areas that they wish to address through curriculum offerings. The advisor will work with the student to develop a plan of study to meet the identified goals.
Guided Study Program Requirements
Guided Studies Professional Track
Students are required to complete 36 credits, including eight required courses (24 credits), a independent study/internship (six credits), and two electives (six credits).
Required Courses
SPED 9000 Research in Special Education 3 S.H.
SPED 9400 Current Issues in Special Education 3 S.H.
SPED 9200 Consultation and Collaboration Strategies 3 S.H.
SPED 8025 Alternate Assessment in the Content Areas 3 S.H.
SPED 8180 Behavioral Issues in Inclusive Classrooms 3 S.H.
SPED 9003 Reflective Teaching 3 S.H.
SPED 9130 Advanced Identification and Remediation of Reading/Language Based Learning Disabilities 3 S.H.
SPED 8950 Assessment Strategies in the Content Areas 3 S.H.
SPED 9500 Internship/Independent Study 6 S.H.
SPED 9012 Electives 6 S.H.
Total for Degree 36 S.H.
Guided Studies Individualized Track
Students are required to complete 39 credits including three required courses (nine credits), 21-24 credits in three individualized goal areas, and six to nine credits in an Internship/independent study.
Required Courses
SPED 9000 Research in Special Education 3 S.H.
SPED 9400 Current Issues in Special Education 3 S.H.
SPED 9200 Consultation and Collaboration Strategies 3 S.H.
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