Simmons College

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The Simmons graduate program for dual Massachusetts initial licenses in general education and moderate disabilities is designed to prepare individuals to teach with the expertise, knowledge, and confidence they need 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. In addition, students study the cultural and historical foundation of the American school, special education laws & regulation, and developmental psychology as it applies to learning and teaching strategies. In addition to the courses about 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.

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.

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.

Sequence of Courses

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and Moderate Disabilities dual licensure program consists of 46-50 credits of coursework and a full school year internship. Simmons has established internship experiences in several local communities in order to provide students with the best clinical experience available in both fields of study. The program can be completed on a full or part-time basis, however during the internship, students will work full-time. Students are encouraged to begin their studies in the spring or summer semesters if they hope to complete the program in one calendar year. All students enrolled in the program develop a plan of study and review program requirements with their assigned advisor.

Coursework

Elementary and Moderate Special Needs

GEDUC    460    Teaching Strategies for the Inclusive Classroom
GEDUC    445    Educational Psychology
GEDUC    461    Methods of Teaching Social Studies, Science, and the Arts in Elementary Classroom
GEDUC    464    Methods of Teaching Reading & Lang. Arts for the Early Childhood & Elem. Classroom
GEDUC    467    Methods of Teaching Math for the Early Childhood and Elementary Classroom
GEDUC    480    Practicum: Elementary Education (Grades 1-6)
GEDUC    401    Seminar in Teaching and Learning at the Elementary Level
SPND       446    Learners with Special Needs
SPND       444    Special Education Laws and Regulation for Teachers and Administrators (2 credits)
SPND       445    The IEP: Strategies for Development, Interpretation and Implementation (2 credits)
SPND       436    Formal and Informal Assesement
SPND       438    Practicum: Moderate Disabilities Pre K-8 (two credits)
SPND       488    Seminar and Fieldwork in Education - Moderate Disabilities (two credits)
TESL        417    Required ESL course
SPND       420    Introduction to Assistive Technology (2 credits)

Secondary and Moderate Special Needs

GEDUC    460    Teaching Strategies for the Inclusive Classroom
GEDUC    445    Educational Psychology
GEDUC    455    Issues in Teaching Middle/High School
GEDUC    420    Teaching for Content Area Literacy
GEDUC    47X    Methods Course (number is specific to the secondary content area)
GEDUC    481/2 Secondary Practicum
GEDUC    402    Secondary Seminar
SPND       446    Learners with Special Needs
SPND       444    Special Education Laws and Regulations for Teachers and Administrators (2 credits)
SPND       445    The IEP: Strategies for Development, Interpretation and Implementation (2 credits)
SPND       436    Formal and Informal Assessment
SPND       439    Practicum: Moderate Disabilities 5-12 (2 credits)
SPND       488-03 Seminar and Fieldwork in Education: Moderate Disabilities (2 credits) 
TESL        417     Required ESL course
SPND       420    Introduction to Assistive Technology (2 credits)