Merrimack Education Center in conjunction with Fitchburg State College 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.
Program Requirements
Students interested in the Master’s Program may be required to take prerequisite courses depending on their previous course work and/or teaching certificate(s). Prospective students should contact an advisor from the Special Education Department to determine prerequisite courses that need to be completed.
Prerequisite courses may include:
SPED 7020– Modifying and Adapting Curriculum: Math, Science, Social Studies
SPED 7025– Pedagogy in Reading/Language Arts
Two courses may be transferred in with approval of FSC.
Program of Study
SPED 9000 3 credits
Research in Special Education
SPED 7004 3 credits
Working with Individual with Disabilities
SPED 8914 6 credits
Assessment, Curriculum, Strategies in Reading/Language Arts
SPED 8300 3 credits
Language Development, Differences
and Disorders
SPED 9130 3 credits
Advanced Identification and Remediation of Reading/Language Based
Learning Disabilities
SPED 8924 6 credits
Assessment, Curriculum, Strategies for
Math, Science, Social Studies and
Cognitive Assessment
SPED 9200 3 credits
Collaboration Skills for teachers
SPED 8180 3 credits
Positive Behavioral Supports for
Students with Disabilities
SPED 9002 1 credit
Research Application Seminar
SPED 8961 6 credits
Clinical Experience
Elective 3 credits
(Taken at discretion of student with
approval of advisor.)
Total: 40 credits
Program Description
The M.Ed. in Special Education program is designed to prepare students for careers in teaching children with moderate disabilities. Students may choose to work at grade
levels PreK through 8, or 5-12.
Program Schedule/Time
Evening week: 4 pm – 7:45 pm
Summer: 8 am – 12 noon (2 weeks)
1 pm – 4 pm (2 weeks)
Program Cost*
1 credit: $260
3 credits: $776
6 credits: $1552
*Subject to change based on Fitchburg State College tuition rates.
Application Requirements
Those seeking matriculation into the degree
program must forward the following
documentation to:
Fitchburg State College
Graduate and Continuing Education 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 2.8 or better GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Three 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.
• An official report of the Miller Analogies Test Score, or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Test scores over five years old will not be accepted.
• Copy of teaching license.
• $25 matriculation fee.
• Professional resume.
• All official transcripts for graduate-level course work to be considered as transfer.
• 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
• Successfully pass the Foundations of Reading exam and submit score.
• Successful pass the General Curriculum or content area test and submit scores
For information contact:
Edward Roberts
Senior Associate Director
Merrimack Education Center
40 Linnell Circle
Billerica, MA 01821
978-528-7800, Ext. 234
E-mail: eroberts@meccorp.mec.edu