波士顿大学

Providing evidence-based instruction to teach students with dyslexia to read
Ensuring access to the general education curriculum for high school students with disabilities
Implementing the school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports framework to provide tiered levels of support to students with and without disabilities
Designing targeted strategies based on applied behavior analysis
Utilizing augmentative and alternative communication strategies and providing social skills instruction to students with autism
Providing community-based instruction to teach daily living and vocational skills to students with Down syndrome
Implementing the social emotional learning curriculum to promote the well-being of all students and to prevent bullying of and by students with disabilities

If so, you have found the graduate program designed for you. The graduate program in Special Education at Boston University will prepare you to work successfully in a high-demand profession in roles such as a co-teacher in an inclusive classroom, inclusion facilitator, resource room teacher, or teacher in a self-contained classroom. Through a combination of carefully sequenced coursework and field experience, you will learn to adapt the general education curriculum and use the explicit instruction model to meet the needs of a wide range of learners. You will be part of a supportive learning community with faculty members who are invested in your learning and development and peers who share the same interests and drive to become successful special educators.

Coursework

You will select courses based on specializations and in consultation with an academic advisor. Many students choose to combine their academic study with preparation that leads to licensure in Massachusetts as a special education teacher or special education administrator.

You may also apply to the School of Social Work to enroll in our dual degree program to simultaneously pursue an MSW in Social Work and an EdM in Special Education with a specialization in an area that leads to a teaching license in Special Education, or a specialization in General Special Education.

If you prefer to work with individuals with disabilities in non-school settings, the General Special Education program will provide you with a basis on which to pursue further degrees or careers in vocational and recreational programs for individuals with disabilities, without completing requirements for licensure as a teacher.

Specialization

You will be able to select a specialization from the following areas. Those marked with an asterisk (*) have a specific sequence of courses that can lead to licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Education.

Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Pre-K–Grade 8)*
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Pre-K–Grade 8) combined with Elementary Education (Grades 1–6)*
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Grades 5–12)*
Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (Ages 3–21)*
Special Education teaching licensure* (in the licensure field and grade levels listed above) and Social Work (Dual Degree Program)
Special Education Administration*
General Special Education
General Special Education and Social Work (Dual Degree Program)

Field experience

You will be engaged in field experience to learn from veteran teachers in public and approved private schools to see how the instructional methods that you learn in our courses are applied in classroom settings. In addition, you will have the opportunity to pursue paid internship opportunities in neighboring school districts.