The Merrimack Education Center in conjunction with Fitchburg State University is pleased to offer Master of Education Special Education Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities:  Initial Licensure Program

Program prepares graduates to:

•    Demonstrate knowledge of the field of special education, including legislation and litigation that has affected the rights of individuals with disabilities.
•    Demonstrate competence in teaching that leads to success for all students in the least restrictive environment.
•    Evaluate students to determine their educational needs and to design appropriate programs.
•    Collaborate with teachers and parents to develop effective teaching strategies that will enhance students’ learning.
•    Demonstrate sensitivity, understanding and respect for children and adults from diverse cultural, religious, ethnic, and racial backgrounds.

The requirements to the program are as follows:

Those seeking matriculation (acceptance) into the degree program must forward the following documentation to:

Fitchburg State University
Admissions Office
160 Pearl Street
Fitchburg, MA  01420-2697

•  A completed application for admission.
  Official transcript of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a 2.8or better GPA on  a 4.0 scale.
  Must include the cover form for the 3 letters of recommendation from individuals under whose immediate supervision he/she has worked in a professional capacity; and /or from others who are in a position to offer a pertinent appraisal.
• Form:  Graduate Letter of Recommendation         
  An official report of the Miller Analogies Test
  (Code 1208) or the Graduate Record Examination GRE (Code 3518) Test scores over five years old will not be accepted.       
  $25 Application fee
• Professional resume   
• All official transcripts for graduate-level course work to be considered for transfer credit.   
• Applicants to graduate Initial licensure teacher preparation programs must successfully complete the Literacy and Communication subtests of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) and submit passing scores as part of their application.
• Personal Statement. Applicants must submit An essay of no more than one page in response
  to one of the following statements or questions:

1. 1. 1. Tell us about a positive situation in which you helped a person and made a significant difference in that person's life.
      2. What are the most important factors in establishing a long-term working relationship with students, friends, etc.?
      3.  Tell us about a significant event that involved you in a teaching or helping role.
         1. Describe the situation as it occurred at the time.
         2. What did you do in that particular situation?
         3. How did you feel about the situation at the time you
            were experiencing it?
         4. How do you feel about the situation now?
         5. What would you change, if anything?

* If admitted to the graduate program/cohort, you must take at least one course in the term in which you were offered admission to be able to matriculate into the program.

MTEL's

Fitchburg State University offers multiple resources to
assist you in obtaining your MTEL's

SPED Plan of Study

See below for Fitchburg State University's 'Plan of Study' which lists the courses in the prescribed path of study. Please use this form to track your courses as you take them. You will also need to check with your advisor to determine if you need to take the required pre-requisite.

Course Requirements

Students interested in the Master's Program may be required to take a prerequisite course depending on their previous course work and/or teaching certificate(s). Prospective students should contact an advisor, Lisa Moison(lmoison@fitchburgstate.edu), from the Special Education Department to determine if a prerequisite course needs to be completed. Please note that psychology courses requirements must also be met.

Prerequisite course:

SPED 7023– Foundations of Special Education: Theory and Practice
(Two courses may be transferred in with approval of FSU.)

Program of Study

SPED 7004 – Working with Individuals with Disabilities

SPED 8300 – Language Development and Disorders

SPED 8016 – Curriculum Strategies in Reading/Language Arts

SPED 8915 – Assessment, Curriculum, Strategies for Mathematics ( focus on PreK-8)

SPED 8916 – Assessment, Curriculum, Strategies for Mathematics ( focus on 5-12) 

SPED 8180 – Positive Behavioral Supports for Students with Disabilities

SPED 8011 – Differentiating Content Instruction in the Inclusive Classroom

SPED 8008 – Working with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Inclusive Classroom

SPED 9200 – Consultation and Collaboration Strategies

SPED 8917 – Assessments in Reading/Language Arts

SPED 9130 – Advanced Identification and Remediation of Reading/Language Based Learning Disabilities (PreK-8)

SPED 8918 – Reading and Writing: Methods for Secondary Students with Moderate Disabilities (5-12)

SPED 9000 – Research in Special Education

SPED 8961 – Moderate Disabilities Practicum

SPED 9004 – Practicum and Research Application Seminar

One elective approved by an advisor Elective

Program Cost*

3 credits:  $831

6 credits: $1662
*Subject to change based on Fitchburg State University tuition rates.

If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact Lisa Lanteigne (lisalanteigne@meccorp.mec.edu) in the Professional Development Office. (978) 322-2203