Special Education: Moderate or Severe Disabilities

Please Note: The Special Education: Moderate or Severe Disabilities program is not currently accepting applications for enrollment. Please contact Graduate Admission to discuss your program options.

If you are applying to a graduate Education program through the New England Center for Children (NECC) partnership, please visit the apply page for more information.

Students in class

Please Note: The Special Education: Moderate or Severe Disabilities program is not currently accepting applications for enrollment. Please contact Graduate Admission to discuss your program options.

If you are applying to a graduate Education program through the New England Center for Children (NECC) partnership, please visit the apply page for more information.

 

Master of Science in Education Moderate Special Needs PreK-8 or 5-12 (48-credit program)

In this program, students complete 48 credits of coursework and participate in a year-long school placement, completing a full-time pre-practicum and a full-time practicum. Students can expect to complete this program in 24 months of full-time study.
SPND446 Learners with Special Needs 4
GEDUC467 Math Methods 4
TESL417 Sheltered English Instruction 4
GEDUC430 Inclusive Lesson Planning 2
GEDUC445 Educational Psychology 4
GEDUC464 Reading & Language Arts Methods 4
GEDUC461 Social Studies, Science & the Arts Methods 4
SPND441 Creating a Caring Classroom Community 4
SPND436 Formal & Informal Assessment 4
SPND420 Introduction to Assistive Technology 2
SPND444 Special Education Laws & Regulations For Teachers & Administrators 2
SPND445 Individualized Education Program: Strategies for Development, Interpretation & Implementation 2
SPND487 Seminar 2
SPND438 Practicum: Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) 4
OR
SPND439 Practicum: Moderate Disabilities (5-12) 4
SPND488 Seminar & Fieldwork in Education 2
SPND400DL Digital Literacy Modules 0

Master of Science in Education Severe Special Needs All Levels (46-credit program)

In this program, students complete 46 credits of coursework and participate in a year-long school placement, completing a full-time pre-practicum and a full-time practicum. Students can expect to complete this program in 24 months of full-time study.
RDG410 Multisensory Structured Language Strategies for Reading 4
GEDUC467 Math Methods 4
SPND420 Introduction to Assistive Technology 2
BEHV/O424 Introduction to Behavior Analysis 4
SPND444 Special Education Laws & Regulations For Teachers & Administrators 2
SPND445 Individualized Education Program: Strategies for Development, Interpretation & Implementation 2
SPND446 Learners with Special Needs 4
SPND436 Formal & Informal Assessment 4
SPND448 Foundations of Transition Education & Services 4
GEDUC430 Inclusive Lesson Planning 2
TESL417 Sheltered English Instruction 4
SPND467 Practicum: Severe 4
SPND487 Seminar 2
SPND468 Practicum: Severe Disabilities (Levels: All) 4
SPND488 Seminar & Fieldwork in Education 2
SPND400DL Digital Literacy Modules 0

Degree Options

Simmons offers a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Moderate Disabilities (48-credits) and Severe Disabilities (46-credits) which includes initial license preparation. A non-licensure program of study is also available.

MSEd in Moderate Disabilities

Simmons's program for Massachusetts state licensure in Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8 or 5-12) prepares specialists to provide direct service to learners in inclusive classrooms. Students are prepared to teach all core education curriculum areas and to address a variety of learning styles. This program provides the skills and strategies to work with learners with moderate disabilities in a variety of settings, including general education classrooms, resource rooms, self-contained classes, and day and/or residential programs.

MSEd in Severe Disabilities

The Severe Disabilities program provides preparation for initial licensure in teaching learners with severe disabilities (PreK-12). Coursework and related practicum experiences prepare teachers to work in a variety of settings, including special education classes in public schools, as well as private residential or day schools. Students are prepared to teach in all core general education curriculum areas, as well as communication, social behavior, job competency, and life skills.
 

  • Our MSEd programs in Special Education are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to lead to initial teaching licensure for the following fields and grade levels:
    • Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Grades PreK-8 OR 5-12)
    • Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (All grade levels)
  • Simmons-trained teachers achieve exceptional job placement rates, and the demand for licensed special educators continues to grow. As reported in the most recent U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Shortage Area list, Special Education is now identified as a high need area in most US states.
  • Teacher candidates prepared at Simmons may take advantage of the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, which allows teachers prepared through a Massachusetts approved program to earn an equivalent license in another state or the District of Columbia, pending completion of any state-specific prerequisites for licensure.

All students are assigned to a yearlong, full-time teaching practicum in a school setting. This extensive classroom experience allows students to develop the skills, competencies, and confidence for successful teaching, including strategies for inclusion, behavior management, social skill instruction, and modifying classroom instruction. Students also benefit from the supervision and mentorship of experienced practitioners and field supervisors — many of whom are Simmons alumni/ae. In many instances, students who have the support of their employers have been able to complete their practicum hours in paid positions as paraprofessionals or classroom teachers. 

We place students in a wide variety of schools and communities, including public school districts, charter schools, private institutions, and educational collaboratives, including:

Academy of the Pacific Rim Lighthouse School
ACCEPT Collaborative Lexington Public Schools
Andover Public Schools Malden Public Schools
Boston Public Schools MATCH Charter School
Brookline Public Schools Newton Public Schools
Cambridge Public Schools Prospect Hill Academy
Carter Development Center Quincy Public Schools
The Cotting School SEEM Collaborative
Crossroads School Somerville Public Schools
City on a Hill Charter School Wellesley Public Schools
Innovation Academy Weston Public Schools

Awards of up to $25,000 will be granted to students who have demonstrated a commitment to the field of special education.

Learn more about scholarship options.

Education Programs at Simmons University

We offer graduate level programs in elementary education and special education. We provide a highly collaborative environment, individualized programs of study, supportive faculty mentors, and plenty of hands-on experience.

Graduate Program Videos