Master of Education: Special Education concentration
Overview
Now offered in hybrid format at Northeastern's Charlotte campus.
Demand for graduate-level prepared special education practitioners is on the rise—driven by heightened degree requirements and a shortage of licensed, qualified teachers. In response, The College of Professional Studies is pleased to offer the Master of Education with a concentration in special education. Designed for educators who are licensed at the initial or professional level in another discipline, this innovative master’s degree program prepares you to meet the special needs of students across a variety of school environments.
This program meets the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education standards and competencies for an additional licensure as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities, PreK-8 and 5-12.
In this advanced program, you will explore specific topics on modifying curriculum, designing curriculum-based assessments, managing severe behaviors, developing individualized education programs (IEPs), leveraging community resources, and improving literacy. As a result, you will enhance your ability to meet the needs of a diverse student population and achieve the competencies required for this specialized license.
Program Objectives
- Better plan for the broad and varied range of student learning and behavioral styles
- Build your competency in theory, research, and practice
- Enhance your ability to create a learning environment and classroom community for all students
- Improve your understanding and application of developmental variations
- Evaluate the application and implications of federal and state laws that protect the rights of children with disabilities and their families
- Use a variety of assessments and explain the purpose and data to students and families
- Apply principles of universal design for learning, differentiated instruction, specially designed instruction, and other instructional pedagogy
- Examine the need for and the complexity of initiating and implementing new models of education
Curriculum
Attention students enrolled before winter 2012: download your curriculum here. |
Total Quarter Hours: 45 q.h. (effective for students starting in winter 2012)
Required Core Courses (8 q.h.)
| EDU 6054 | Emerging Trends in Education | 4 q.h. |
Choose one of the following:
| EDU 6051 | Race and Ethnicity in Education | 4 q.h. |
| EDU 6055 | Socio-Cultural Context of Learning and Development | 4 q.h. |
Required Special Education Specialty Courses (20 q.h.)
| EDU 6425 | Special Education: Foundations for Understanding Inclusive Schools | 4 q.h. |
| EDU 6426 | Developmental Language, Literacy and Writing: Assessment and Instruction | 4 q.h. |
| EDU 6569 | Differentiated Instruction and Assessment in Mathematics and Other Disciplines: Redesigning Individualized Plans | 4 q.h. |
| EDU 6528 | Adaptive Learning/Behavior Management Strategies: Consultation and Collaboration | 4 q.h. |
| EDU 6874 | *Practicum: Portfolio and Panel Review | 4 q.h. |
*The practicum is required for those seeking a Massachusetts license in Special Education
Elective Courses (17 q.h.)
| EDU 6023 | Creating a Community of Learners/Behavior Management | 4 q.h. |
| EDU 6302 | Teaching, Learning, and Assessment | 3 q.h. |
| EDU 6320 | New Technologies and Emerging Trends in Distance Education | 3 q.h. |
| EDU 6325 | Teaching Strategies for E-Learning | 3 q.h. |
| EDU 6429 | Child and Adolescent Development and Variation** | 4 q.h. |
| EDU 6431 | Developing Skills and Accessing ideas: Curriculum for Students with Learning and Behavioral Difficulties** | 4 q.h. |
| EDU 6520 | Learning and the Brain: Translating Research into Practice | 4 q.h. |
| EDU 6530 | Behavior Management Strategies: Consultation and Collaboration** | 4 q.h. |
| EDU 6558 | Issues in Education | 1 q.h. |
| EDU 6570 | Advanced Strategies in Literacy: Readers and Writers Who Struggle** | 4 q.h. |
| EDU 6710 | Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders | 4 q.h. |
| LDR 6110 | Leading Teams | 3 q.h. |
**Selected courses are approved for professional licensure by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for Teachers of Students with Moderate Disabilities.
Total Quarter Hours: 45 q.h.
Tuition rates, all fees, rules and regulations, courses, and course content are subject to revision by the president and the Board of Trustees at any time.
Admissions Requirements
Below are the official Admissions Requirements for this program.
- Online application
- Statement of purpose (500-1000 words): identifying your educational goals and expectations from the program; please be aware that the University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to applicant's statement of purpose
- Professional resume: current resume that displays job responsibilities, relevant experience, and education history
- Two letters of recommendation: from individual(s) with either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities, such as a faculty member, current employer, mentor, or colleague
- Official undergraduate degree documentation
- Teacher's license; Initial or professional level: provide a copy of license
- Proof of English language proficiency: ONLY for students for whom English is not their primary language: English language proficiency guidelines
For general admissions information and recommended admissions deadlines, Graduate Admissions.
All requirements must be received prior to review.
Tuition
Estimated total tuition for this program is $21,150.00.
Tuition for individual courses is based on the number of quarter hours. Most courses are 3-6 quarter hours. See Graduate Tuition Rates for details.
Use our Tuition Calculator below to see if transfer credit or tuition reimbursement from your employer could reduce your total tuition.
Tuition Calculator
Please note: The estimated total tuition is based on tuition rates for Academic Year 2013-14 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time.
*A maximum of 9 quarter hours of graduate- or doctoral-level credit obtained at another institution may be awarded as Advanced Graduate Credit to the Doctor of Education program.
Student Profile
Who Will Your Classmates Be?
- Practicing K-12 teachers who seek a master’s degree, as well as additional licensure in moderate disabilities
- Licensed special educators who are seeking professional licensure or a master's program with professional licensure endorsement
Career Outlook
Put Your Degree to Work
Special education remains a high need area throughout the United States at both the elementary and secondary levels, with an increasing number of educational institutions requiring graduate-level preparation.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the special education field is expected to increase faster than average for all occupations. Excellent job prospects are predicted, due in part to an overall shortage of licensed special education teachers. Nationally, the number of special education teachers is expected to increase by 17% over the next eight years—the result of more students being identified as candidates for specialized education.
Talk to an Enrollment Coach
We can walk you through your program options and the application process.
- Call Toll Free:
- 877.668.7727
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- Contact Us
Upcoming Academic Term Dates
-
Summer Term
Jul 1, 2013 (4- and 8-week classes)
Jul 29, 2013 (4-week classes) -
Fall Term
Sep 9, 2013 (6- and 12-week classes)
Oct 21, 2013 (6-week classes)