Special Education: Moderate Disabilities with Licensure (PreK-8), B.S.E.

Special Education

In general, the Special Educator is trained in educational, social, emotional, and vocational interventions, identification, assessment and programming processes; adaptation and development of curriculum materials; analysis of behavior; and the development and implementation of individual educational programs.

Massachusetts State Law requires that children with special needs be served within the least restrictive environment. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act guarantees an appropriate education and due process for individuals with disabilities. Regulations designed to implement these laws clearly state the need for special education teachers to provide services to children who exhibit a wide range of special needs at all grade levels.

Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education

The Bachelor of Science in Education major with licensure and licensure only programs are designed to prepare outstanding teacher candidates at the Massachusetts initial licensure level. Students may choose to major in Education (with licensure) or choose the licensure only program. These programs include Early Childhood Education for Students with or without Disabilities (grades Pre-K-2), Elementary Education (grades 1-6), and Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (grades PreK-8) or Moderate Disabilities (grades 5-12). Specific WSU core courses are required for Education students. Students who choose to major in Education must also complete a second major in liberal arts, sciences, or an interdisciplinary major. To meet licensure requirements within four years, the Department of Education encourages students to discuss the selection of the second major with their advisor. Most education majors select Liberal Studies as their second major.

Students who are not eligible to advance to practicum (student teaching) because they have not attained a grade point average of 2.8 or higher or because they have not passed all required Massachusetts Tests of Educator Licensure (MTELs) may complete their Education major by replacing the practicum requirement within their programs of study. The replacement of practicum involves taking additional Education coursework or comparable courses under the advisement of the Chair of the Education Department. Students who do not complete practicum will not be endorsed for the licensure; however, they may graduate from WSU with their Education major and second major.

The Westfield State University teacher licensure program for Early Childhood Teacher of Students With and Without Disabilities has been recognized by the National Association of the Education of Young Children. The teacher licensure program in Elementary Education has received recognition by the Association for Childhood Education International. The teacher licensure program in Special Education has been recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children.

Common Core Coursework for Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education Majors

The following core course work is required for students completing the major programs in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education:

Composition - 6 Credits

Required:

ENGL 0101 - English Composition I Credits: 3
ENGL 0102 - English Composition II: Writing About Texts Credits: 3

Literary and Philosophical Analysis - 6 Credits

One American Literature Course from the following:

ENGL 0210 - British Literature to 1603 Credits: 3
ENGL 0215 - Introduction to American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 0216 - American Literature to 1865 Credits: 3
ENGL 0217 - American Literature Since 1865 Credits: 3
LLIT 0202 - Women Writers of the Americas: US Credits: 3

One Literature or Philosophy Course from the following:

ENGL 0213 - Introduction to British Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 0221 - World Literature Credits: 3
LLIT 0201 - Women Writers of the Americas: Global Credits: 3
LLIT 0210 - Studies in the Literature of Africa and the African Diaspora: (Varying Topics): Credits: 3
LLIT 0310 - Seminar in Hispanic Studies Credits: 3
PHIL 0211 - Asian Philosophy Credits: 3

Appreciation of the Arts - 6 Credits

Two courses required: one from two different disciplines from the Appreciation of the Arts section of the Core, see full listing earlier in this Bulletin.

US History/Government - 3 Credits

One from the following:

HIST 0131 - United States History and Government to 1865 Credits: 3
HIST 0132 - United States History and Government 1865 – Present Credits: 3

Social Understanding - 9 Credits

Both of the following:

PSYC 0101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
EDUC 0220 - Schools in American Culture Credits: 3

One from the following:

ECON 0101 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3
ECON 0102 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3
EGST 0208 - Hip Hop Cultures Credits: 3
EGST 0209 - Images in Black and Brown Credits: 3
GARP 0101 - World Regional Geography Credits: 3 *
LANG 0210 - Language, Culture & Society Credits: 3
LCUL 0220 - Envisioning the Americas Credits: 3

Note:

* Early Childhood majors must take GARP 0101 . Elementary and Special Education majors must take either GARP 0101 or GARP 0210 but only GARP 0101 fulfills Social Understanding.

Math/Analytical Reasoning - 6 Credits

MATH 0153 - Foundations: Number Systems Credits: 3
MATH 0250 - Foundations: Patterns, Reasoning and Algebra Credits: 3

Lab Science - 8 Credits

Required:

GNSC 0101 - Physical Science Credits: 4

One of the following:

BIOL 0102 - Environmental Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 0104 - Human Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 0106 - Biology Today Credits: 4
BIOL 0237 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4

Global Diversity - 3 Credits

One courses from the Global Diversity section of the Core, see full listing earlier in this Bulletin.

US Diversity - 3 Credits

EDUC 0380 - Critical Multicultural Education Credits: 3

University Core Coursework in Education:

EDUC 0380 - Critical Multicultural Education Credits: 3

Professional Education Coursework:

EDUC 0221 - Introduction to Students with Exceptional Learning Needs Credits: 3 (*FB)
EDUC 0303 - Early Literacy and Reading Credits: 3 **
EDUC 0319 - Principles of Teaching and Learning Credits: 3 (*FB)
EDUC 0363 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3
EDUC 0370 - Language and Communication Development and Intervention Credits: 3
EDUC 0371 - Special Education Curriculum Credits: 3 (*FB)
EDUC 0376 - Developmental Disabilities and Self-Determination Credits: 3
EDUC 0377 - Learning Disabilities and Instructional Strategies Credits: 3
EDUC 0378 - Behavior Support for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders Credits: 3
EDUC 0381 - Early Intervention: Birth to Age Five Credits: 3 (*FB)
EDUC 0397 - Practicum: Moderate Special Needs Credits: 12
Education Elective (for the major only) Credits: 3

Additional Required Coursework:

PSYC 0202 - Child Development Credits: 3 or
PSYC 0203 - Adolescent Development Credits: 3
GARP 0101 - World Regional Geography Credits: 3 or
GARP 0210 - Cultural Geography Credits: 3
GNSC 0360 - Methods of Science Education for Pre-K-6 Credits: 2
EDUC 0301 - Methods of Teaching Mathematics, Elementary 1-6 Credits: 2
MOVP 0303 - Health Education in the Elementary School Credits: 3 or
MOVP 0212 - Concepts of Nutrition Credits: 3 or
MOVP 0301 - Physical Education in the Elementary School Credits: 3
EDUC 0220 - Schools in American Culture Credits: 3 (*FB)
EDUC 0396 - Seminar Recent Developments: Computers in Education Credits: 3 or
Other ISTE Standards-based technology course Credits: 3
Mathematics or Science Elective Credits: 3-4

Note:

*FB indicates field-based course.
**Take course prior to MTEL Foundations of Reading Test (Field-#90).

Pedagogical Coursework

A 3.0 cumulative GPA is required in pedagogical coursework specific to your licensure program prior to practicum. Consult with the department on which courses are classified as part of the pedagogy requirements.

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in the Common Core .