Special Education

About This Program
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	Admissions Contact Danielle Clough Senior Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions dclough@springfield.edu (413) 748-3729
	Program Contact Eileen Cyr Graduate Coordinator Department of Education (413) 748-3312 ecyr@springfield.edu
	Students may opt to pursue licensure only.
	Already have your Master's Degree? Looking for post-graduate programs? Explore our Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in special education.
	The Office of Educator Prep and Licensure can help answer your teaching license questions.
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The special education graduate concentration at Springfield College leads to initial licensure in Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (TSMD). With courses available in the late afternoon or early evenings, this flexible program is ideal for teachers who wish to complete their degree in one to two years and teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in grades PreK-8 or 5-12.

Through coursework and fieldwork, educators will learn the best methods for meeting the needs of children with learning disabilities, attention disorders, language and communication disorders, intellectual delays, and behavioral disorders. The program features a year-long residency program in a classroom, as well as coursework designed to help educators address the complex social and emotional environments of their learners. Teachers in this program will be prepared to work collaboratively with other school professionals, communicate and work effectively with parents, and work to advocate for the rights of all children to have a meaningful education.

Already working in the Springfield Public Schools? Apply for the S-Cubed program, a partnership between the Springfield Public Schools and Springfield College, and earn your degree for less!

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Admissions Requirements

This program enrolls students in all terms.

Education Requirements
- Each course has a field-based component (this is usually 15-20 hours a week in a school).
- A transcript review of undergraduate and any prior graduate work is required prior to admission.

Complete the application form. No application fee.

Start your application process by completing the online application form. Be sure to complete your application by submitting all the required materials outlined in this section.

Graduate Admissions Essay

Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials. Once you login to your application portal you'll be able to upload your essay.

In two to three double-spaced pages, please describe significant life experiences that have contributed to your interest in your field, your understanding of this field, your occupational objectives, and why you have chosen Springfield College.

Resume

Please include any college activities, out-of-school leadership experiences, work history, and community involvement to support your interest in or qualifications for graduate study. Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials. Once you login to your application portal you'll be able to upload your resume.

Letters of Recommendation

This program requires two letters of recommendation. Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload your letter to your application.

Official Transcripts from All Institutions Previously/Currently Attended

An official transcript from each college/university you have attended is required.
Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. In some cases, including if you plan to request coursework be transferred, a course-by-course translation is required. For this we recommend the World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
In order to be considered official, transcripts must be received directly from the original source, by email to graduate@springfield.edu, or mailed to the college address:
Springfield College
Office of Graduate Admissions
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109

International Applicants

All international applicants from non-English speaking countries are required, in addition to the items listed above, to submit:

Proof of English language proficiency by way of the TOEFL or IELTS. Other tests may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please refer to our language requirements for more information on acceptable tests, minimum scores, exemptions, and conditional acceptance. If your undergraduate degree was earned in the United States and you successfully completed college-level English, we will consider English language proficiency met.
Please note: Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For this we recommend SpanTran, with its customized portal for Springfield College applicants. World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. are also recommended for your credential evaluations.

The staff in the Office of International Admissions can assist you with questions you may have about enrolling at Springfield College as an international student by emailing intladmissions@springfieldcollege.edu.

To submit materials:

After submitting your online application form you will receive user login credentials to access your student application portal. From that portal, you will be able to upload your graduate admissions essay and your resume. Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload their letter to your application. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be received directly from the original source, by email to graduate@springfield.edu, or mailed to the college address:

Springfield College
Office of Graduate Admissions
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109

Curriculum

CORE Research Requirements for Master of Education (M.Ed) (5-6 credits)

EDUC 626 - Education Research Project Credits: 3-Feb
(note: also requires successful completion of research project presentation)
RSCH 610 - Foundations and Methods of Research Credits: 3

Special Education Concentration

Teachers of Students with Moderate Disabilities (TSMD) (PreK-8 or 5-12)

The Special Education Program prepares teachers to work effectively with students with mild and moderate disabilities. The program offers a combination of courses that lead to the initial license as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities. The interdisciplinary nature of the program provides a wide frame of reference for the students as they develop a foundation in the theoretical, historical, social and political foundations of special education. These academic courses and the pre-practicum and practicum provide ample opportunity for the graduate student to participate in self-evaluation, peer evaluation, and discussion with faculty and public school teachers. Because students are participating in the field placement while taking the academic courses, students are able to use these practical experiences to deepen their understanding of the skills and responsibilities of the teacher of students with moderate disabilities. A special emphasis is placed on: Reading and Language Arts instruction; Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks; assessment of physical, social, emotional, intellectual and social development of children and adolescents; educational terminology for students with mild and moderate disabilities; preparation, implementation and evaluation of Individualized Education Programs; design and modification of curriculum, instructional materials, and educational environments for students with moderate disabilities; behavior management and transitional assistance for students with mild and moderate disabilities; services provided by other agencies and federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to special education.

Prerequisites:
A course in child development is required. A transcript review will determine whether there are additional prerequisites.

Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure Required:
All students in the Special Education Graduate Initial Licensure Program are required to pass the following exams:

Communication and Literacy Skills exam (prior to practicum)
Content Area exam depends on grade level (prior to practicum)
Foundations of Reading exam (prior to practicum)

A. Non-licensure track

Each student must complete a minimum of 32 credit hours. Students must work with their academic advisor to select at least 15 credits of graduate courses offered by the education department and to select elective courses to total 32 credits.