Assumption College Graduate Program

M.A. in Special Education

Admission Requirements

Enrollment in the Special Education program is open to any qualified individuals who meet the admissions standards. Individuals may enroll in the master's program whether or not they seek Massachusetts teacher licensure. Candidates for the graduate program in special education may submit an application at any time. When all required application materials are received by the Office of the Graduate School, the candidate's file will be forwarded to the Education Department and reviewed by the departmental admissions committee. Typically, a candidate will receive notification of a decision regarding his or her application within three to four weeks from the day the admissions file is completed.

Please note that a grade point average of 3.0 or better is expected of students who enter the program. Exceptions to this policy are not common. When extenuating circumstances exist, the admissions committee can recommend to the Special Education director and the Dean of the College that a student be permitted to take courses as a special student. In these cases, formal admission to the graduate program is deferred until a candidate has successfully met criteria specified by the admissions committee.

Official Application
To apply officially to the graduate program in Special Education, all candidates must submit the following materials to the Office of the Graduate School:

  • An application form and a $30 application fee (fee waived for Assumption students or alumni/ae);
  • Official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate records;
  • Three letters of recommendation. These letters must be academic or professional in nature and, therefore, should be from a professor who has taught the candidate for at least one course or from an individual who has supervised the candidate in a work setting;
  • An updated, complete resume showing the candidate's academic and work experiences;
  • A personal essay describing the academic preparation, work experiences, and skills that the candidate brings to this graduate program, what he or she hopes to accomplish academically, and his or her professional goals;
  • A copy of teacher certification documents if the candidate already holds a teacher license/ certificate in Massachusetts or in another state;

NOTE:
1) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required.
2) An interview is not required, however, candidates are welcome to contact the program director at any time with questions about the program.
3) The Special Education admissions committee reserves the right to request additional material in support of the candidate's application.

Candidates for admission to the Master of Arts in Special Education program should note the following:

  • All documents, transcripts, and other papers submitted for admission become the property of Assumption College and will not be returned.
  • Courses taken by correspondence will not satisfy prerequisite or program requirements.
  • A candidate is not officially admitted or rejected until he or she has been notified by the Director of Graduate Enrollment & Management Services. The candidate is notified of his or her status in writing.
  • After official notification of acceptance, the candidate's application and transcripts are kept on file for one year. If the candidate has not matriculated by the end of a year, he or she ordinarily reapplies to the program and is subject to the rules and regulations that are in effect at the time of the new application.
  • Incomplete dossiers are kept on file no longer than one year.
  • The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that students must be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, diptheria, tetanus, and Hepatitis B. For specific information, call the medical secretary at 508-767-7507.

Candidates for the Massachusetts Initial License for Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) (5-12)
Candidates who apply to graduate program specifically seeking the Initial License for Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12) must meet the following criteria.

  • Candidates must hold a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.
  • Candidates must demonstrate a minimum undergraduate and/or graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0
  • If admitted to the teacher preparation program, the candidate for licensure must submit evidence of passing scores on all Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) required for licensure as teacher of students with moderate disabilities to be eligible for enrollment in the practicum. Specifically, candidates seeking a license for PreK-8 must pass the following tests:
    1) Communication and Literacy Skills;
    2) General Curriculum; and
    3) Foundations of Reading.
    Likewise, candidates seeking licensure for 5-12 must pass the following tests:
    1) Communication and Literacy Skills;
    2) Foundations of Reading; and
    3) General Curriculum OR a subject matter test in one of the core academic subjects taught in 5-8 or 8-12 for which the Massachusetts Department of Education issues a license.
  • Candidates for the Initial License who do not already hold a Massachusetts teacher license may be required, at the discretion of the education faculty, to take additional coursework in the content and/or curriculum and methods of teaching their specific subject prior to enrollment in the practicum. This is determined by the education faculty through a review of the candidate's application file, in particular, the candidate's transcript(s) and resume.
    * NOTE: Candidates who complete the state-approved program and thereby earn a first Initial License, are eligible for licensure reciprocity with the approximately 45 other states that are parties to the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Contract.

Candidates for the Massachusetts Professional Licensure for Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8 (5-12)
Candidates who specifically seek the Professional License for Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12) must meet the the following criteria.

  • Candidates must hold a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.
  • Candidates must demonstrate a minimum undergraduate and/or graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0
  • Candidates who seek the Massachusetts Professional License for Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities must hold and document a Massachusetts Initial License in that field.
  • In addition to completing designated graduate courses, candidates must fulfill all of the criteria recorded for this stage of licensure in the current state regulations to qualify for the Massachusetts Professional License.
  • Have at least one year of full-time employment in an educational setting.
  • For the most current information concerning Commonwealth of Massachusetts teacher licensure, candidates may wish to contact the Commonwealth's Department of Education:
    Bureau of Teacher Preparation Certification and Placement
    350 Main Street
    Malden, MA 02148-5023
    www.doe.mass.edu

Candidates Who Do Not Seek Massachusetts Educator Licensure
Candidates who do not seek endorsement from Assumption College for Massachusetts educator licensure must meet the following standards.

  • Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in the liberal arts or sciences.
  • Candidates must demonstrate a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.
  • Candidates are not required to possess a Massachusetts teaching license to enter the master's program in special education, nor are they required to pass any of the Massachusetts educator tests while they are in the program. They may not enroll in the practicum that leads to eligibility for the Massachusetts Initial License for Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8; 5-12).

All students admitted into the Master of Arts in Special Education program are required to schedule an interview with designated program personnel as specified in the letter of admission.