Learning and Instruction Concentration
The learning and instruction concentration in the MEd program is designed for teachers and leaders in K–12-focused schools and community organizations that want to lead change and expand equity in their classrooms, schools, or educational communities. Graduate students examine the impact of local, national, and global changes on educational policy and practice. They deepen their ability to effectively engage diverse students in meaningful learning through coursework focused on curriculum and assessment, teaching and learning, and experiential education.
Students pursuing Massachusetts ESL, pre-K–12, initial licensure: This program meets Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education standards and competencies for licensure as an English as a Second Language Teacher, pre-K–6 and 5–12.
Special Education Concentration
Demand for graduate-level-prepared special education practitioners is on the rise, driven by heightened degree requirements and a shortage of licensed, qualified teachers. In response, the College of Professional Studies is pleased to offer the Master of Education with Concentration in Special Education. Designed for educators who are licensed in Massachusetts at the initial or professional level in another discipline, this innovative master’s degree program seeks to prepare you to meet the special needs of students across a variety of school environments.
This program meets Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education standards and competencies for licensure as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities, pre-K–8 and 5–12.
In this advanced program, you have an opportunity to explore specific topics on modifying curriculum, designing curriculum-based assessments, managing severe behaviors, developing individualized education programs, leveraging community resources, and improving literacy. As a result, you have an opportunity to enhance your ability to meet the needs of a diverse student population and to achieve the competencies required for this specialized license.
Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.
Required Courses
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
EDU 6050 | Education as an Advanced Field of Study | 5 |
EDU 6051 | Introduction to Social Justice in Educational Settings | 4 |
Concentration
Complete one of the following concentrations. Students must successfully complete all licensure courses with a grade of B or better in order to progress into their next licensure course.
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
45 total quarter hours required (additional hours may be required for endorsement for Massachusetts licensure)
Minimum 3.000 GPA required
Concentration in Learning and Instruction
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
EDU 6319 | How People Learn | 4 |
EDU 6336 | Data Literacy for Data-Driven Decision Making | 4 |
EDU 6410 | Instructional Leadership 5 | 4 |
EDU 6415 | Law, Policy, and the Ecosystem of Education | 4 |
Capstone | ||
EDU 6225 | Capstone (to be taken last) 1 | 4 |
or EDU 6874 | Practicum, Portfolio, and Panel Review | |
Electives | ||
Complete 16 quarter hours at the EDU 6000 level. Below is a list of elective options. | 16 | |
Experiential Teaching and Learning Electives | ||
Experiential Learning Theory and Practice | ||
Culturally Responsive Experiential Teaching and Learning | ||
Applied Research in Experiential Teaching and Learning | ||
Leading Experiential Teaching and Learning | ||
Learning Experience Design Technology Electives | ||
E-Learning Design as a Collaborative Profession | ||
Open Learning | ||
Social Media and Beyond | ||
Generalist Electives | ||
Educational Statistics | ||
The New Supervisor | ||
Supervising Through Change | ||
Challenges in Supervision | ||
Crisis Management | ||
Connecting Theory and Practice | ||
Learning Analytics Concepts and Theories | ||
Issues in Education | ||
ESL Massachusetts Licensure Pathway | ||
Introduction to Language and Linguistics | ||
Literacy Development and the Academic Domains 2 | ||
Developmental Language, Literacy, and Writing: Assessment and Instruction | ||
Sheltered English Immersion in the General Classroom 4 | ||
or EDU 6185 | English-Language Learners in the General Education Classroom | |
Foundations of Teaching English as a Second Language: Research and Practice 3 |
- 1
Complete EDU 6874 Practicum, Portfolio, and Panel Review instead of EDU 6225 Capstone, if pursuing Massachusetts ESL Licensure Pathway courses.
- 2
For students who do not pass or complete their Gateway Performance Task I in EDU 6310 Literacy Development and the Academic Domains, complete EDU 6995 Project to meet programmatic and licensure requirements.
- 3
For students who do not pass or complete their Gateway II assessment in EDU 6517 Foundations of Teaching English as a Second Language: Research and Practice, or early fieldwork, complete EDU 6995 Project to meet programmatic and licensure requirements.
- 4
EDU 6513: For students pursuing emergency secondary teaching licenses or ESL+ licensure in Massachusetts.
- 5
Required for nonlicensure and licensure programs of study except ESL Massachusetts Licensure Pathway. ESL Massachusetts Licensure Pathway students may substitute EDU 6410 Instructional Leadership with the completion of all ESL Massachusetts Licensure Pathway courses .
Concentration in Special Education
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
EDU 6425 | Special Education: Role of Special Educators in an Inclusive School 1 | 4 |
EDU 6426 | Developmental Language, Literacy, and Writing: Assessment and Instruction | 4 |
EDU 6438 | Teachers as Curriculum Leaders | 4 |
EDU 6528 | Adaptive Learning/Behavior Management Strategies: Consultation and Collaboration | 4 |
EDU 6569 | Differentiated Instruction and Assessment in Mathematics 2 | 4 |
EDU 6874 | Practicum, Portfolio, and Panel Review | 4 |
Electives | ||
Complete 12 quarter hours at the EDU 6000 level. | 12 |