Dual General and Special Education Licensure (MAT)
Faculty
Jane Hardin, Associate Professor of Practice
Judah Axe, Associate Professor, Education and Behavior Analysis
Ellen Davidson, Associate Professor of Practice
Jennifer Edge-Savage, Associate Professor of Practice
Description
This unique dual license program embodies the philosophy of all Simmons graduate education programs that is grounded in the principles of inclusion — that all individuals can learn and have the right to do so in a classroom within their own community and with learners their own age. Simmons offers personalized support for each student in the program which is further enhanced by the small classes and close mentoring relationships that students develop with faculty and their internship supervisors.
Our program helps students gain the expertise, knowledge and confidence to become effective and skillful inclusive classroom teachers. Elementary license students take method courses that incorporate instruction in a variety of learning styles in reading and language arts, math, social studies and science. Our students also study the cultural and historical foundation of the American school, special education laws & regulations and developmental psychology as it applies to learning and teaching strategies. In addition to the courses focusing on strategies for teaching in inclusive classrooms, educational psychology, special education law, assessment and IEP development, secondary license students pursue methodology courses in their specific license content area.
Upon successful completion of the program, the Education Department will endorse students for their general education license and students will apply for their special education license on their own.
Learning Outcomes
Simmons’s Master of Arts in Teaching Dual Licensure program addresses the Massachusetts Department of Education’s standards for Subject Matter Knowledge and Professional Standards for Teachers.
Requirements for entry into program
Costs
Including financing and fellowships / assistantships
$900 per credit hour
Activity Fee: $52/ semester hour
Degree requirements
Credits
46-50 credits of coursework and a full school year internship.
Core, Pre-requisite, and elective course requirements and progression, etc.
Elementary and Moderate Special Needs
| GEDUC 460 | Teaching Strategies for the Inclusive_Classroom | 4 |
| GEDUC 445 | Educational Psychology | 4 |
| GEDUC 461 | Social Studies, Science & the Arts_For the Elementary Classroom | 4 |
| GEDUC 464 | Reading & Language Arts for the_Elementary Classroom | 4 |
| GEDUC 467 | Math for the Elementary Classroom | 4 |
| TESL 417 | Sheltered English Instruction | 4 |
| SPND 420 | Introduction to Assistive Technology | 2 |
| SPND 446 | Learners with Special Needs | 4 |
| SPND 444 | Special Education Laws & Regulations_For Teachers & Administrators | 2 |
| SPND 445 | Individualized Education Program:_Strategies for Development,_Interpretation & Implementation | 2 |
| SPND 436 | Formal & Informal Assessment | 4 |
| GEDUC 480 | Practicum: Elementary Education (1-6) | Variable |
| GEDUC 401 | Practicum Seminar: Elementary | 4 |
| SPND 438/SPND 439/SPND 468 | Practicum: Moderate Disabilities_(PreK-8) | 2 |
| SPND 488 | Seminar & Fieldwork in Education | Variable |
Secondary and Moderate Special Needs
| GEDUC 460 | Teaching Strategies for the Inclusive_Classroom | 4 |
| GEDUC 445 | Educational Psychology | 4 |
| GEDUC 455 | Issues in Teaching and Learning for_Middle and High School Teachers | 4 |
| GEDUC 464 | Reading & Language Arts for the_Elementary Classroom | 4 |
| GEDUC 47X | Methods Course (number is specific to the secondary content area) | |
| TESL 417 | Sheltered English Instruction | 4 |
| SPND 420 | Introduction to Assistive Technology | 2 |
| SPND 446 | Learners with Special Needs | 4 |
| SPND 444 | Special Education Laws & Regulations_For Teachers & Administrators | 2 |
| SPND 445 | Individualized Education Program:_Strategies for Development,_Interpretation & Implementation | 2 |
| SPND 436 | Formal & Informal Assessment | 4 |
| GEDUC 481 | Practicum: Middle School (5-8) | Variable |
| GEDUC 482 | Practicum: High School (8-12) | Variable |
| GEDUC 402 | Practicum Seminar Middle/High | 4 |
| SPND 439/SPND 438/SPND 468 | Practicum: Moderate Disabilities (5-12) | Variable |
| SPND 488 | Seminar & Fieldwork in Education | Variable |
SPND 488-03 Seminar and Fieldwork in Education: Moderate Disabilities (2 credits)
Capstone, placement, internship, practicum, etc.
Concentrations, specializations, etc.
Licensure, certification, etc.
The Simmons College Master of Arts in Teaching Dual General and Special Education Licensure program is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) to lead to both a general education initial license and a moderate disabilities add-on license in Massachusetts.
The Master of Arts in Teaching Dual General and Special Education Licensure program at Simmons is approved by DESE to lead to initial teaching licensure for the following general education fields and grade levels:
Elementary Education (1-6)
General Science (5-8)
Middle School Humanities (5-8)
Middle School Mathematics/Science (5-8)
Earth Science (5-8 or 8-12)
English (5-8 or 8-12)
History (5-8 or 8-12)
Biology (5-8 or 8-12)
Chemistry (5-8 or 8-12)
Spanish (5-8 or 8-12)
French (5-8 or 8-12)
Mathematics (5-8 or 8-12)
Physics (5-8 or 8-12)
Political Science/Philosophy (5-8 or 8-12)
Additionally, this program is approved by DESE to lead to add-on licensure in Moderate Disabilities for grades PreK-8 or grades 5-12.
Dual (and other) degree options
Other program information