Special Education Programs for NECC© Employees

Degree Requirements

50 Credits of Coursework and a Full-Year Practicum Experience

Degree Requirements

50 Credits of Coursework and a Full-Year Practicum Experience

Degree Requirements

38 Credits of Coursework for the Non-Licensure Program

Degree Requirements

34 Credits of Coursework for the Non-Licensure Program

Program Requirements

34 Credits of Coursework Including a Practicum Experience

Program Requirements

34 Credits of Coursework Including a Practicum Experience

• Our MSEd programs in Special Education are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to lead to initial teacher licensure for the following fields and grade levels:
  • Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (all grade levels)
  • Sheltered English Immersion Endorsement
• 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 U.S. 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 pre-requisites for licensure.

• Our MSEd program in Special Education non licensure prepares teachers for leadership and advancement in the field of education, focusing on autism education and other high need areas.

All teacher candidates 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 culturally responsive teaching, 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 addition, teacher candidates will be placed in inclusion classrooms within urban and suburban settings that serve a diverse population to complete their inclusion internship requirements

All teacher candidates are assigned to a yearlong, full-time teaching practicum in a school or clinic setting. This extensive classroom experience allows students to develop the skills, competencies, and confidence for successful teaching, including strategies for culturally responsive teaching, 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.