Special Education: Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities Program (5-12), B.S.E.

Education

The Education Department offers programs in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School and Special Education.

Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School and Special Education

Objectives for Programs in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School and Special Education (Initial License)

The Education Department of Fitchburg State University fully recognizes and embraces the diversity and challenges that teachers face in today’s public and private schools. The comprehensive program of study is one which deliberately integrates and celebrates these challenges by providing an inclusive model for teacher preparation. Each course provides research-based methods to assess student needs in order to differentiate instruction. Techniques and strategies that address the needs of all learners in the inclusion classroom
are emphasized. Courses have been specifically designed to provide teacher candidates with content and strategies to be knowledgeable, skillful, ethical, and caring educators in the 21st century.
 

The Department prepares its graduates to be teachers of Early Childhood (PreK-2), Elementary (1-6), Middle School (5-8), Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (all levels) (PreK-8) with Elementary Licensure, Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (5-12), and Severe Disabilities.

Program of Study

Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School (History, Humanities, Mathematics-Science, and General Science) and Special Education  majors graduate with two majors—one in Education and one in  Interdisciplinary Studies (IDIS).  See Interdisciplinary Studies Section for IDIS major requirements for Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, and Special Education majors. Early Childhood, Elementary,  Middle School (History, Humanities, Mathematics-Science, and General Science) and Special Education majors are also required to complete an Interdisciplinary Studies minor in English, Geophysical/Earth Science, History, Mathematics, Political Science, Social Science, or Spanish.

Middle School Education majors in the English concentration have a second major of English. Middle School Education majors in the Mathematics concentration have a second major of Mathematics. 

Education majors place emphasis on college coursework that honors cultural, racial, linguistic and social diversity.

Field-based experiences begin freshman year and are enhanced by strong departmental collaboration with exemplary schools and practitioners in the region. During their final year in the program teacher candidates enroll in a semester long professional experience. In the semester preceding practicum they participate in a minimum of a 125-hour or a 150-hour practicum that is linked to pedagogical courses. This allows candidates to readily apply what they are learning in the classroom setting. Many students enjoy opportunities to foster attitudes and skills for creative, collegial teaching in the diverse and changing environment of our McKay Arts Academy, an Innovation School on the University campus.

The Education Club, The Student Association of Massachusetts (S.E.A.M.), a student chapter of M.T.A., and The Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society offer students the opportunity to grow professionally while meeting with students of similar interests.

Requirements for the Major in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School and Special Education

In addition to the two majors, the Speaking/Listening requirement is met through the Practicum or Student Teaching experience. Computer Literacy and Jr/Sr Writing Requirements are met through

Special Education - Moderate Disabilities 5-12

This program embraces an inclusive philosophy that emphasizes the similarities of all children and young adults. The faculty believes that to work effectively with children who have disabilities, one must be able to work with all children. Also, special educators must work closely with general education teachers. Therefore the program offers pre-practicum and practicum experiences that incorporate students with disabilities into the general education classroom. This program prepares graduates to be teachers of Students with Moderate Disabilities (5-12) special education settings. Graduates of the program are eligible for a special education licensure. The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure required for this program are Communication and Literacy, General Curriculum, Mathematics Subtest and Foundations of Reading or other content MTELs appropriate for license sought.

The plan of study is as follows (See course descriptions for pre-practicum hours required):

• SPED 2210 - Understanding Diversity and Disability 3 cr.
• EDUC 2300 - Foundations of Inclusive Education 3 cr.
• EDUC 2630 - Literacy in the Pre-K to 8 Classroom 3 cr.
• SPED 2800 - Strategies in Reading Instruction and the Assessment of Reading 3 cr.
• SPED 2880 - Science and Social Studies for Students with and without Disabilities 3 cr.
• EDUC 2910 - The Arts I: Inspiration 1 cr.
• EDUC 2920 - The Arts II: Imagination 1 cr.
• SPED 2950 - Students with Emotional and Autism Spectrum Disorders 3 cr.
• SPED 3200 - Reading and Writing Methods in the Content for 5-12 Students with Moderate Disabilities 3 cr.
• SPED 3800 - Secondary Programs for Adolescents (14-22) with Disabilities 3 cr.

Onsite Immersion Semester (Senior Year)

Courses taken concurrently

• SPED 2970 - Assessment of Students with and without Disabilities 3 cr.
• SPED 3300 - Teaching Mathematics to Students with Disabilities (5-12) 3 cr.
• SPED 3720 - Classroom Management and Behavior Support 3 cr.
• EDUC 3740 - Onsite Immersion Field Experience 3 cr.

Student Teaching (Senior Year)

Courses taken concurrently

• EDUC 4550 - Collaboration: Co-Teaching, Building Communities, and Working with Families 3 cr.
• SPED 3875 - Practicum: Moderate Disabilities I (5-12) 4.5 cr.
• SPED 3878 - Practicum: Moderate Disabilities II (5-12) 4.5 cr.

Total 49 credits