Special Education: Moderate Disabilities with Licensure (PreK-8), B.S.E.

The Bachelor of Science in Education major with licensure and licensure only programs are designed to prepare outstanding teacher candidates at the Massachusetts initial licensure level. Students may choose to major in Education (with licensure) or choose the licensure-only program. These programs include Early Childhood Education (grades PreK-2), Elementary Education (grades 1-6), and Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (grades PreK-8 or grades 5-12). Specific Westfield State University courses are required for Education students to address state Subject Matter Knowledge (SMK) requirements. All Education students must meet WSU Teacher Education program dispositions at a satisfactory level to complete the major.

Students who are not eligible to advance to practicum (student teaching) because of concerns related to their readiness to student teach, they have not reached the minimum overall GPA of 2.80 or the minimum GPA of 3.00 in the pedagogical sequence, or they have not passed all required Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTELs), may complete their Education major by replacing the practicum requirement within their programs of study if dispositional standing merits remaining in the major. The replacement of practicum involves taking additional Education coursework or comparable courses under the advisement of the Chair of the Education Department. Students who do not complete practicum will not be endorsed for the licensure; however, they may graduate from WSU with their Education major.

Westfield State University’s educator preparation programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).

Special Education

In general, the Special Educator holds expertise in designing and implementing educational, social, emotional, and vocational interventions, engaging in adapting and modifying curriculum material, analyzing and supporting positive behavior, and developing and implementing individual educational programs.

Massachusetts State Law requires that children with special needs be served within the least restrictive environment. The individuals with Disabilities Education Act guarantees an appropriate education and due process for individuals with disabilities. Regulations designed to implement these laws clearly state the need for special education teachers to provide services to children who exhibit a wide range of special needs at all grade levels.

Professional Special Education PreK-8 Pedagogical Coursework

EDUC 0207 - Philosophy of Education Credits: 3
EDUC 0221 - Foundations of Special Education Credits: 3
EDUC 0222 - Learning Disabilities and Instructional Strategies Credits: 3
EDUC 0319 - Methods of Teaching 1 Through Mathematics Credits: 3
EDUC 0329 - Methods of Teaching and Learning 2: Science Credits: 3
EDUC 0339 - Methods of Teaching and Learning 3: History/Social Studies Credits: 3
EDUC 0320 - Field Experience 1: Becoming a Teacher Credits: 1
EDUC 0330 - Field Experience 2: Theory to Practice Credits: 1
EDUC 0341 - Field Experience 3: Advanced Theory to Practice Credits: 1
EDUC 0314 - Building Classroom Communities Credits: 3
EDUC 0303 - Foundations of Reading Credits: 4 **
EDUC 0305 - Teaching Writing, Children’s Literature, and Disciplinary Literacy Credits: 3
EDUC 0378 - Behavior Supports for Students with Disabilities Credits: 3
EDUC 0223 - Critical Roles and Responsibilities of the Special Educator Credits: 3
EDUC 0376 - Self Determination and Family Advocacy for Students with Developmental Disabilities Credits: 3
EDUC 0381 - Early Intervention: Birth to Five Credits: 3
EDUC 0396 - Technology, Teaching, and Learning Credits: 3
EDUC 0363 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3
EDUC 0397 - Practicum: Moderate Disabilities Credits: 10
EDUC 0300 - Practicum Seminar Credits: 2

Education Required Subject Matter Knowledge Courses

The state of massachusetts has specific Subject Matter Knowledge (SMK) competencies expected of Elementary, Early Childhood, and Special Education Majors. To address these needs, the following courses are required to meet these requirements.

BIOL 0102 - Environmental Biology for a Changing World Credits: 4
or ENVS 0101 - Exploring Environmental Issues Credits: 3
GNSC 0101 - Physical Science Credits: 4
GPS 0101 - World Regional Geography Credits: 3
HIST 0101 - Western Experience I Credits: 3
HIST 0130 - United States History and Government Credits: 3 (preferred)
or HIST 0131 - United States History and Government to 1865  Credits: 3

or HIST 0132 - United States History and Government 1865 - Present  Credits: 3

or POLS 0101 - American National Government  Credits: 3
MATH 0153 - Foundations: Number Systems Credits: 3
MATH 0250 - Foundations: Patterns, Reasoning and Algebra Credits: 3
MATH 0254 - Foundations: Data Analysis and Geometry Credits: 3
PSYC 0101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0202 - Child Development Credits: 3

Area of Focus

Special Education students must declare an Area of Focus with their Education Advisor (6 credits).

Total Major: 110-111 credits

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core .