Moderate Disabilities, 5-12, Initial, M.Ed.

M.Ed. Initial Licensure Programs

Westfield State University has a history and abiding commitment to preparing educators who serve the educational needs of prekindergarten through secondary school students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our teacher education programs embrace this vision, Education Leaders Building Inclusive Learning Communities, a vision grounded in our department’s five foundational pillars: Critical Engagement with Diversity, Community Building, Social Justice, Scholarship, and Reflection.

Westfield State University teacher education programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Westfield is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Westfield State University was awarded full accreditation for seven years in June 2020. AAQEP also awarded our educator preparation program with a commendation for our work in anti-racist education.

Applicants for the M.Ed. initial licensure programs may be required to take additional courses and/or document professional experiences in the cognate area of the license, in addition to the courses required for the master’s degree to ensure completion of the Massachusetts Subject Matter Knowledge (SMK) expectations.

Students who satisfactorily complete program requirements leading to a teaching license are recommended for licensure to the Massachusetts Department of Education. Program requirements include completion of all coursework and other requirements for a master’s degree, passage of Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTELs), a demonstrated ability to meet program dispositional standards, and successful completion of a practicum experience.

Advising for graduate students seeking an M.Ed. leading to an initial teaching license facilitates student progress in degree programs and offers an opportunity to design and to amend programs of study, acquire career advice and address topics of particular interest to students involved in graduate study for career advancement or professional development. Registration advising is offered in advance of the semester to assist with course choices appropriate for graduate programs. Programs of study constructed during the first semester of matriculation allow students to remain active participants in their course selection.

Program Description

The M.Ed. in Moderate Disabilities 5-12, Initial, leads to a master’s degree with initial licensure to teach students with moderate disabilities in grades 5-12. The program requires extensive school-based fieldwork in addition to a practicum experience.

See Admission requirements for graduate programs.

Applicants to this 39-credit hour program must pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Communications and Literacy test prior to admission

Program of Study

Prerequisite coursework or experience

Content knowledge in the following areas must be documented in the student’s previous academic record or professional experience. As determined by the student’s graduate advisor, gaps in coverage must be fulfilled by additional courses taken as part of the student’s program of study.

Foundations of Education
Foundations of Special Education (cross-cut)
Adolescent Psychology (cross-cut)
Computer Applications (cross-cut)
Critical Multicultural Education
Other general content coursework in English, geography, history, social sciences, mathematics, or sciences may be required as determined by the advisor upon transcript review.

Required courses (39 credits)

EDUC 0570 - Language and Communication Development and Intervention Credits: 3
EDUC 0574 - Career Education and Transition for Students with Disabilities Credits: 3
EDUC 0578 - Behavior Supports for Students with Disabilities Credits: 3
EDUC 0597 - Practicum: Moderate Disabilities Credits: 5
EDUG 0527 - Practicum Seminar Credits: 1
EDUG 0522 - Field Experience 1: Becoming a Teacher Credits: 1
EDUG 0523 - Field Experience 2: Theory to Practice Credits: 1
EDUG 0524 - Field Experience 3: Advanced Theory to Practice Credits: 1
EDUC 0519 - Methods of Teaching 1 Through Mathematics Credits: 3
EDUG 0525 - Methods of Teaching 2 Through Science Credits: 3
EDUG 0526 - Methods of Teaching 3 Through Social Studies Credits: 3
EDUC 0533 - Critical Roles and Responsibilities of the Special Educator Credits: 3
EDUC 0632 - Research in Education Credits: 3
Select two under the guidance of your advisor:
EDUC 0514 - Building Classroom Communities Credits: 3
EDUC 0503 - Foundations of Reading Credits: 4
EDUC 0505 - Teaching Writing, Children’s Literature, and Disciplinary Literacy Credits: 3
EDUC 0577 - Learning Disabilities and Instructional Strategies Credits: 3
EDUC 0624 - Technology Applications in Special Education Credits: 3
EDUC 0548 - Apprenticeship in Literacy Practices Credits: 3
EDUC 0563 - Students on the Autism Spectrum Credits: 3
EDUC 0565 - Practices of Critical Multicultural Education Credits: 3
EDUC 0631 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3
***Required if the SEI endorsement is not already obtained***

Additional Guidelines

Required field placements must accommodate a range of characteristics including range of grade level and types of settings. Also teacher candidates must complete either one 30-hour pre-practicum placement or student teaching with students from diverse backgrounds.

Students must pass the required MTEL subject matter tests and have a GPA of 2.8 overall or greater before beginning the student teaching practicum. Although students may be allowed to apply for the practicum with a 2.8 GPA, a 3.0 GPA must be maintained to remain in the graduate program.

Practicum placements are generally within a 30-mile radius of the university unless otherwise specified and approved.

Students are required to successfully complete a written comprehensive examination or the Candidate Assessment of Performance to demonstrate mastery of knowledge gained in coursework and to relate concepts across the curriculum. The comprehensive exam may be taken after completing a minimum of nine non-practicum courses within the Master’s program for those not seeking licensure. The Candidate Assessment of Performance is completed during practicum.