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 PreK-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.

Westfield State University’s educator preparation programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).  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:

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 ** Take course prior to Foundations of Reading MTEL (Field # 90 or #190)
• EDUC 0312 - Laboratory in Literacy Practice Credits: 1 ** Take course prior to Foundations of Reading MTEL (Field #90 or #190)
• 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) (*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

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• GPS 0101 - World Regional Geography Credits: 3 or
• GPS 0210 - Cultural Geography Credits: 3

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• GNSC 0360 - Methods of Science Education for Pre-K-6 Credits: 2
• EDUC 0301 - Methods of Teaching Mathematics, Elementary 1-6 Credits: 2

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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  .