The Master of Education in Moderate Disabilities (Non-Licensure) program at Worcester State University helps you develop specialized knowledge and skills in the field of moderate disabilities. This flexible, part-time program is designed for working professionals who are interested in special education but are not seeking Massachusetts teacher licensure in this field.
You will work closely with your faculty advisor to identify your unique academic and career goals and develop a program of study to achieve them. You will also conduct in-depth research on a topic in moderate disabilities that interests you. Your studies culminate in a comprehensive thesis project, for which you will compile an electronic portfolio of work that not only demonstrates your mastery of all program competencies but also showcases your professional development.
Candidates for the Master of Education in Moderate Disabilities (Non-Licensure) program are required to meet the competencies established by the Office of Graduate Programs for all candidates seeking a master of education degree through Worcester State University. Candidates are advised to contact the program coordinator for further information prior to formal application to the program.
The program allows candidates who possess the following to obtain a master of education with a concentration in moderate disabilities without an initial licensure in moderate special needs:
Candidates who have completed this program and decide to earn an initial licensure in moderate disabilities, must fulfill the following criteria:
OR
Candidates who are working on this program and decide to earn an initial licensure in moderate disabilities must fulfill the following criteria:
Access online information about the program, including an application and admission requirements.
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The Worcester State University Master of Education in Moderate Disabilities (Non-Licensure) program is a 37-credit program, consisting of 12 3-credit courses and a 1-credit portfolio course. The portfolio course requires candidates to document mastery of content and pedagogical standards beyond the initial license.
The courses in the program fall into 3 categories. The first set of courses meets the core education requirements common to several of the MEd programs. There are 4 core courses, which total to 10 credits.
Completion of these courses assures that candidates have acquired graduate-level knowledge and skills in the foundation of education and in the interpretation, planning, and implementation of educational research.
Candidates are advised to take the course ED-981 early in the program as it provides the foundation for the graduate program. The research course ED-982 informs candidates on interesting areas of research as well as providing a foundation for ED-993. The seminar course is completed near the end of the program and leads to a research paper in the area of moderate disabilities. ED-992 must be taken during the last semester. The course guides candidates in compiling a program portfolio that demonstrates successful attainment of the state standards and the college standards for the master of education degree.
These courses are required to complete the MEd in Moderate Disabilities (Non-Licensure) to meet the state regulations regarding “content or pedagogical courses beyond those for the initial license based on the academic discipline, developed or taught in collaboration with experts who hold at least a master’s degree in that discipline or hold a full time faculty position in that discipline in the arts or sciences or appropriate professional school other than education.”
Candidates are required to take 1 course as elective under the advisement of the program coordinator.
