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  • Program Overview

    M.Ed. in Special Education: Severe Disabilities (36 Credits)

    Prepare to work with students with severe disabilities at all grade levels. Learn theories of language development, diagnosis and assessment, functional curriculum development and educational planning, and the availability and operation of assistive and augmentative technologies that support the needs of students with disabilities. Expert faculty members use evidence-based and data-driven approaches to individualizing instruction.

    These programs lead to initial or professional licensure in severe disabilities (all levels).

    • 36-credit program
    • Coursework balances research and practice, critical thinking and compassion
    • Supports teachers in alternative and public settings
    • Prepares teachers for working with complex medical, communicative, cognitive, and developmental needs
    • Embraces inclusive education for all students
    • Addresses current local and federal legal requirements
    • Affordable pricing
    • Personal advising
    • Networking opportunities and job placement support

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  • Curriculum

    Admission Requirements

    All candidates must apply online at: endicott.edu/admission/information-for-graduate-students/apply 

    Applicants should submit the following to Graduate Admissions, Endicott College, 376 Hale Street, Beverly, MA 01915

    • Non-refundable $50.00 application fee (check made payable to Endicott College, cash or online) Application fee waived for veteran and military students;
    • Two letters of recommendation (one academic reference and one professional reference);
    • Official transcripts of all post-secondary academic work sent directly from the institution(s) including confirmation of undergraduate degree, date confirmed, and any other graduate work;
    • Essay (750-1000 words) on the following: Please describe your educational philosophy and how you apply this philosophy in your teaching practice. Should you not be a classroom teacher currently, in what ways will your philosophy influence your practices? 
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for all students whose native language is not English; minimum score of 550 (paper-based) or 79 (iBT) is required. The institutional code for Endicott College is 3369. Endicott also accepts an IELTS score of 6.0 or better;
    • All admissions requirements must be satisfied in order to be formally accepted in a degree program. Students must be formally admitted to a program before the completion of six Endicott credits.

    Additional Application Requirements M.Ed. Leading to Initial License

    • A copy of passing scores on the Communication and Literacy Test (MTEL)

    Additional Application Requirements M.Ed. Leading to Professional License

    • A copy of all initial licenses in the state of Massachusetts

    International Applicants for Graduate Admission
    Endicott College welcomes and encourages applicants from around the world. International applicants are required to hold a college or university degree equivalent to a four-year American baccalaureate degree. Educational documents in a foreign language are required to be translated into English. All transcripts and translations of transcripts must be official originals and must show courses completed, grades received, grading scale, duration of study, degree or diploma received, and the date conferred. Endicott College reserves the right to request verification of the credentials by an external agency.

    International applicants must submit current TOEFL scores when their native language is not English or when their baccalaureate transcript is not from an institution where English is the language of instruction. Once students have been admitted as degree candidates, Endicott College will send detailed instructions about the process for acquiring an Endicott-sponsored student visa.

    Program of Study

    Learning Outcomes

    Upon completion of this program, students will:

    • Demonstrate knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and exceptionalities
    • Design high quality instruction, including authentic and meaningful student assessments
    • Analyze student performance and growth data and to use this data to improve instruction and practice
    • Teach all students through instructional practices that establish high expectations, a safe and effective classroom environment, and cultural proficiency.
    • Promote the learning and growth of all students through effective partnerships with families, caregivers, community members, and organizations.
    • Ensure the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice

    Required Curriculum with MA Initial Licensure

    As regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the practicum requires 300 hours with a minimum of 100 hours of full responsibility in the role and grade level of the license sought.  Students may have their practicum placement, supervising practitioner, and hours approved by Endicott staff before enrolling in the practicum course. Additional hours may be assigned at the discretion of the Dean, Director, Associate Director or Assistant Director. 

     

    EDN 530 - Sheltered English Immersion
    OR
    EDN 575 - Data Literacy
    OR
    SPE 695 - Disability and Sheltered English Immersion
    EDN 500 - Child and Adolescent Development
    SPE 500 - Teaching Students with Disabilities
    SPE 505 - Inclusive Education
    SPE 511 - Curriculum Development for Students with Severe Disabilities
    SPE 515 - Reading Instruction in Special Education
    SPE 525 - Assistive and Augmentative Technologies
    SPE 530 - Humanities Methods in Special Education
    SPE 540 - STEM Methods in Special Education
    SPE 550 - Curriculum and Assessment in Practice: Special Education (Pre-Practicum)
    SPE 561 - Practicum in Severe Disabilities
    SPE 566 - Reflective Seminar in Severe Disabilities

    Total Degree Requirements - 36 credits

    Required Curriculum

    *Electives are chosen in consultation with the student's advisor

    Electives - 12 cr.

    EDN 500 - Child and Adolescent Development
    SPE 500 - Teaching Students with Disabilities
    SPE 505 - Inclusive Education
    SPE 515 - Reading Instruction in Special Education
    SPE 511 - Curriculum Development for Students with Severe Disabilities
    SPE 525 - Assistive and Augmentative Technologies
    SPE 530 - Humanities Methods in Special Education
    SPE 540 - STEM Methods in Special Education

    Total Degree Requirements - 36 credits

    Required Curriculum with MA Professional Licensure

    *Courses required for Professional Licensure.

    ABA 525 - Basic Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
    EDN 575 - Data Literacy
    EDN 680 - Research Methods
    EDN 685 - Policy Analysis, Leadership, and Change Processes
    EDN 690 - Advanced Seminar in Education
    RDL 570 - Learning and Cognition
    SPE 540 - STEM Methods in Special Education
    SPE 575 - Family Engagement in Special Education
    *
    SPE 670 - Consultation and Co-Teaching
    *
    SPE 680 - Psychoeducational Assessment
    *
    SPE 690 - Medical and Multiple Disabilities
    *
    SPE 695 - Disability and Sheltered English Immersion

    Total Degree Requirements - 36 credits


    View academic catalog and learning outcomes