Nanho S. Vander Hart, Ph.D
Director

At Assumption, we prepare compassionate special educators and related school professionals. Our rigorous, comprehensive program has been “approved with distinction” by Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)!

Our goal is to help beginning special educators to achieve success, and to provide experienced teachers with an opportunity to extend and refine their knowledge and skills. Therefore, our program offers lasting, powerful tools that will help you become an expert and leader in the field. You will learn practical, evidence-based practices, and establish your foundation for success.

Enjoy small classes, personal attention, and accessible faculty. You will receive close mentoring throughout the program with systematic monitoring of your progress by faculty, practicum supervisors, and the program director. Follow in the footsteps of successful graduates who are teachers and administrators in urban and suburban communities, as well as in public and private schools.

Come study at Assumption University where you bridge the gap between theory and practice. You will learn from professors who are experts in the field. Your field experiences during the program will fully prepare you to become a competent special educator and a leader in helping students with special needs maximize their potential in school and in life.

Individuals interested in acquiring specialized skills to effectively work with transition-aged youth are eligible for the CAGS program to prepare them to work in non-school settings (e.g., state/federal vocational rehabilitation programs, school collaborative, adult agencies providing services to transition-aged youth).

The program will offer two paths:
• CAGS with Transition Specialist Endorsement
• CAGS only

Graduate Virtual Information Sessions

Shining Their Light

Stephanie Parry, CRC, LRC

Transition Specialist C.A.G.S. (with Endorsement Option) '22
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and Transition Specialist in the Boston area

The professors in the program were accessible, relatable, knowledgeable, and experienced.

Assumption offered the program I needed to grow professionally by expanding my abilities, skills, and confidence to help people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Ultimately I was offered a position with more responsibilities at a higher rate of pay.

Transition Specialist C.A.G.S. Program Overview

This 6 course, 18-credit Transition Specialist Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.) provides training to individuals interested in helping 14 – 22-year-old students with disabilities explore and develop career identities as well as develop the skills needed to successfully transition into post-secondary educational, training, and employment after completing high school. The program focuses on the educational, functional and social/emotional needs of students.

Knowledge of transition-related legal, assessment, collaborative planning, school, and community-based skills are developed. Consistent with the philosophies of counseling and education programs, an emphasis is placed on the critical importance of self-determination and self-advocacy in the transition process.

Candidates with an Initial or Professional license as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8; 5-12), Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (All), Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (All), Teacher of the Visually Impaired (All), School Guidance Counselor, School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor, or candidates with as a Rehabilitation Counselor certification are eligible for the endorsement upon successful completion of the program. Candidates with Initial License may advance their license to the Professional level.

The non-endorsement CAGS track provides opportunities for graduate students to deepen and refine knowledge and skills as transition specialists.

Transition Specialist C.A.G.S. Program Contacts

Karissa Mongeau

Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions and Coordinator of Professional Development Institute Programs

Schedule a Conversation

508-767-7511 kh.mongeau@assumption.edu Admissions House - Room 203

Nanho S. Vander Hart, Ph.D

Associate Professor, Education, Director of Special Education, Director of Transition Specialist Program

508-767-7380 nvanderh@assumption.edu Kennedy Memorial Hall - Room 157

Sabine Prizio

Administrative Assistant to Graduate Programs

508-767-7297 sprizio@assumption.edu Kennedy Hall - Room 169

Program Curriculum

1. Students will demonstrate advanced, specialized subject matter knowledge in transition education and transition services.
2. Students will demonstrate the pedagogical skills of an effective transition specialist of individuals with exceptionalities by implementing best practices across all settings (e.g., postsecondary education, employment, independent living, community, etc.).
Required Courses

• TRS 700 Foundations of Transition Education and Services
• TRS 710 Transition Assessment, (Prerequisite: TRS 700 or equivalent or may be taken concurrently)
• TRS 720 Transition Systems and Supports, (Prerequisite: TRS 700, 710 or equivalent or may be taken concurrently)
• TRS 730 Collaboration in Transition Planning, (Prerequisite: TRS 700, 710, 720 or equivalent or may be taken concurrently)
• TRS 740 Transition: Community-Based Practicum, (Prerequisites: TRS 700, 710, 720, & 730 or equivalent or may be taken concurrently)
• TRS 750 Transition: School-Based Practicum, (Prerequisites: TRS 700, 710, 720, & 730 or equivalent or may be taken concurrently)

Elective Courses

• EDU 515 Diversity in Schooling
• SED 560 Introduction to Special Education
• RCP 525 The Psychology of Disability across the Lifespan
• RCP 640 Directed Study
• SCP 750 Directed Study
• SED 700 Directed Study

View Course Descriptions

Sample Course Sequence

CAGS in Transition Specialist Courses (18CR)

Course	Prerequisite(s)	Required	Elective	Semester Offered
Course	Prerequisite(s)	Required	Elective	Summer	Fall	Spring
TRS 700 Foundations of Transition Education and Services (3CR)	None			
TRS 710 Transition Assessment (3CR)	TRS 700 or equivalent			
TRS 720 Transition Systems and Supports (3CR)	TRS 700 or equivalent				
TRS 730 Collaboration in Transition Planning (3CR)	TRS 700 or equivalent				
TRS 740 Transition: Community-Based Practicum (3CR)	TRS 700, 710, 720, & 730 or equivalent	 For endorsement track only				
TRS 750 Transition: School-Based Practicum (3CR)	TRS 700, 710, 720, & 730 or equivalent	 For endorsement track only				
EDU 515 Diversity in Schooling	None					
SED 560 Introduction to Special Education	None				
SED/PSY 568 Behavior Assessment and Interventions						
SCP 520 The Psychology of Learning and Motivation						
RCP 700 Directed Study						
SCP 700 Directed Study						
SED 700 Directed Study						
A course approved by the Program Director						

Faculty

Nanho S. Vander Hart, Ph.D Program Director Associate Professor, Education Director of Special Education Director of Transition Specialist Program

Dawn Breault

Lecturer, School Counseling and Transition Specialist Graduate Programs

Michael Law

Lecturer, Transition Specialist Graduate Program

Graduate Admission Events and Ways to Connect With Us

We invite you to learn more about our graduate programs - either through a visit to campus, attending an information session or by scheduling a phone or virtual conversation with an admissions team member or one of our program directors.

Learn More

Admissions Requirements

Prerequisites:

M.A. or M.S. for admission in the Transition Specialist: Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.)

For Massachusetts Transition Specialist Endorsement:

1. Educators who hold one of the following licenses at either the Initial or Professional level:

Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8; 5-12)
Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (All)
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (All)
Teacher of the Visually Impaired (All)
School Guidance Counselor
School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor

2. Candidates who hold a license as a Rehabilitation Counselor or certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor

Application Requirements:

Completed Application
Three Letters of Recommendation
Official Transcript(s)
Personal Statement
Current Resume
TOEFL or IELTS for applicants whose native language is not English

Apply Today

General Graduate Studies Admissions Requirements

Graduate Application
Three Letters of Recommendation
Official Transcript(s)
Personal Statement
Current Resume
TOEFL or IELTS for applicants whose native language is not English

Apply today

Graduate Research Symposium

Assumption University Graduate School Annual Symposium showcases research, innovative projects, successful case study, and creative work of graduate students and recent alums from every graduate program. We offer all graduate students in every program an opportunity to present their excellent work on diverse topics.

Learn more

Veterans at Assumption

Assumption University recognizes that servicemen and women have demonstrated great courage and made tremendous sacrifices in service to our nation and its people. The University has introduced a number of programs and services to assist veterans during the application process and while veterans are attending Assumption. We also have a lounge designated only for our veteran students. Assumption University is committed to maintaining recognition as a Military Friendly institution. We strive to eliminate barriers to success for our Service Members, Veterans, and their qualified dependents.

Welcoming Veterans

Program Approved with Distinction

Our program has been “approved with distinction” by Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)! The competency-based program is founded upon the principles of effective instruction and the philosophy of inclusive education. Accordingly, students in the program develop a repertoire of instructional, diagnostic, consultative, and collaborative skills, and strategies critical to the role. They also develop an understanding of the full continuum of services available to individuals with exceptionalities.

LEARN MORE

Resources

Course Information

Course Descriptions

Programs Related to Transition Specialist C.A.G.S. (with Endorsement Option)

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Transition Specialist C.A.G.S. (with Endorsement Option)

A program that focuses on the educational, functional and social/emotional needs of students. Consistent with the philosophies of counseling and education programs, emphasis is placed on the critical importance of self-determination and self-advocacy in the transition process.

Transition Specialist C.A.G.S. (with Endorsement) Program

At Assumption, we prepare compassionate special educators and related school professionals. Our rigorous, comprehensive program has been “approved with distinction” by Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)!

The professors in the program were accessible, relatable, knowledgeable, and experienced.

Assumption offered the program I needed to grow professionally by expanding my abilities, skills, and confidence to help people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Ultimately I was offered a position with more responsibilities at a higher rate of pay.

Shining Their Light

The professors in the program were accessible, relatable, knowledgeable, and experienced.

Assumption offered the program I needed to grow professionally by expanding my abilities, skills, and confidence to help people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Ultimately I was offered a position with more responsibilities at a higher rate of pay.

Karissa Mongeau

Nanho S. Vander Hart, Ph.D

Sabine Prizio

Program Curriculum

Required Courses

Elective Courses

Faculty

Graduate Admission Events and Ways to Connect With Us

Admissions Requirements

Prerequisites:

Application Requirements:

General Graduate Studies Admissions Requirements

Graduate Research Symposium

Veterans at Assumption

Program Approved with Distinction

Resources

Course Information

Programs Related to Transition Specialist C.A.G.S. (with Endorsement Option)

Autism Spectrum Disorders C.A.G.S. (with Endorsement Option)

Special Education

Special Education C.A.G.S.

Light the way.

A Catholic university located in the heart of New England in Worcester, Massachusetts, Assumption University strives to form graduates known for their critical intelligence, thoughtful citizenship, and compassionate service.