Be ready to meet the needs of diverse learners through well-rounded classroom and extensive field-based training experiences with a Master of Education degree as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities. You'll help students with moderate disabilities achieve academic and social success.
Modality
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities Program Overview
This Master of Education program has options. You can prepare to teach students with moderate disabilities at either the PreK-8 or grades 5-12 level. You can further choose either the licensure or non-licensure track for these grade levels. The required special education curriculum for all of the options includes more than a dozen courses focused on key principles of special education such as collaboration, inclusion, assessment, adaptation and regulations.
The licensure options for the Master’s in Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities require 300 hours of practicum fieldwork and a practicum seminar prior to graduation.
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities Program Highlights
- MTELs not required for acceptance: Cambridge College strives to make the admission application process as simple as possible so that you can get started on your degree right away. The licensure tracks require students to simply pass the MTEL exams before starting the required degree practicum — not before they apply for admission.
- Go at your own pace: The MEd Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities program at Cambridge College can be completed in as little as two years. You also have the option to complete special education courses and make academic progress at your own pace.
- Caring and supportive faculty: Special education faculty members at Cambridge College truly understand adult students. They also bring years of special education teaching experience, including the unique challenges of working in underserved areas.
- Latest classroom technology: Cambridge College provides classroom and adaptive technologies used in careers in special education, so you will gain hands-on experience with the same technology used throughout the special education profession.
- Flexible, hybrid course options: Designed to meet the needs of working professionals, the MEd Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities degree offers flexible schedule options. Non-licensure programs are offered either fully online (asynchronous) or in a hybrid/remote+online format (a blend of Zoom and asynchronous classes). Licensure versions of this program are taught as hybrid/remote+online only, although students may opt to take most of their courses online (asynchronously). Remote (Zoom) classes are scheduled on evenings and weekends.
- Convenient location: Attend in-person classes at our Boston campus which is a 5-minute walk from the Orange Line and offers free parking for students.
- Less tuition, more value: Compared to similar master’s programs, Cambridge College proudly offers more affordable tuition to teachers, current and future, so that they can reach their career and academic goals.
Learning Outcomes for Teaching Students with Disabilities
Through a practical approach, students of the MEd Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities program will be able to apply what they learn immediately, facilitating a seamless transition from theory to real-world application. Emphasis includes:
- Early literacy, cultural responsiveness and digital literacy to equip students with vital skills for today's educational landscape
- Inclusive education, assessment and evaluation, instructional strategies, behavior management and individualized education planning
- Evidence-based practices, collaboration and the development of specialized instructional strategies to effectively support students with moderate disabilities in inclusive educational settings
- Key principles including assessment, designing and modifying curriculum, integration of new technologies, collaboration and consultation techniques, and understanding of special education law and the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process
- Child development in these and other key areas: cognitive, social, emotional, language and physical
- Modifying the curriculum and classroom environment
- Augmented or adaptive technology to help make learning, communication and academic progress possible
- Implementing lesson plans, where measurable assessments can be made
- Student success support through active and reflective collaboration with students, families, teaching and administrative colleagues and providers of any additional resources within the community
PreK-8 and 5-12 Licensure
Educators in the PreK-8 and 5-12 licensure programs will be prepared to become Teachers of Moderate Disabilities and the program is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Early and Secondary Education (DESE). Students must pass all MTEL exams (Massachusetts Tests for Educational Licensure) before starting practicum placements.
Classes are offered in hybrid/remote+online (a blend of Zoom and asynchronous) format only. Licensure students may opt to take most of their courses in the online (async) modality.
PreK-8 and 5-12 Non-Licensure
Program format options are fully online (asynchronous) or hybrid/remote+online (Zoom and asynchronous).
“Cambridge College understands ‘real life.’ They cater to adults that have jobs, children, family, priorities, goals, dreams and the drive to succeed.”
Tuition Information
*See curriculum sheet for a breakdown of credits and credit ranges.
Courses for Teaching Students with Disabilities
This MEd program at Cambridge College includes courses such as:
- The Reflective Practitioner
- Teaching Phonological and Phonemic Awareness and Phonics
- Adapting Materials for Students with Disabilities in Gen Ed Classrooms
- Inclusion and Classroom Behavior Management
- Principles of Language Development Bridging Differences and Disorders
- Inclusion in Math Class
- Teaching Social Science, History and Multicultural Education in Grades 5-12
Prospective graduate degree students for programs in the School of Education & Counseling must satisfy the following requirements plus any program-specific requirements your program may have.
- Complete and sign the online application.
- Pay the application fee. Pay your $50 ($100 for international students) application fee by the term start date.
- Send official transcripts. Maildirectly to Cambridge College in a sealed, unopened envelope. Learn How to Send Transcripts. Required degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities.
- Master's and most graduate certificate programs require an earned bachelor's degree.
- Post-master's certificates and CAGS require an earned master's degree.
- International transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an approved agency. See all international student requirements
- Send your résumé and work experience. Send your resume that details your education and work experience, including how they pertain to your career goals. If your SEC program has a work experience requirement, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Submit your personal statement. Write a 500-word, typed, double-spaced essay describing your professional experience, goals and objectives for graduate study. How do you expect your graduate studies to enhance your future career?
- Include two professional recommendations (not required for fully online programs). These should address your professional character and ability to perform graduate work. Download Applicant Recommendation Form
- Interview (required for some programs). If your program requires an interview, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Satisfy Health Insurance & Immunization requirements. (Massachusetts only). These are required only for graduate students taking six or more credits per term in Massachusetts through on-campus or hybrid classes. Health insurance may be waived.
Teacher Licensure Program Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed above, our Teacher Licensure Programs have these additional requirements:
- Earned bachelor's degree with 3.0 or higher GPA.
- MA Educator Documentation from the Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) website. Keep copies of all documents submitted and, upon admission, post in your electronic portfolio:
- Massachusetts Educator Personnel ID (MEPID number)
- MTEL Communication & Literacy Test, successfully completed.
Required if completed:
- Massachusetts preliminary license, if held
- Sheltered English Instruction requirement
- Fingerprinting and Criminal Offender Record Information
Applicants who do not initially meet all requirements (e.g. GPA of 3.0 or MTEL) for admission into their chosen licensure program must enroll in the corresponding non-licensure degree option. Students who achieve a 3.0 GPA upon completion of the first three SEC courses, pass the MTELs, and now meet all requirements, may request a change of program.
Disclosures: For all Licensure Programs
- Licensure requirements are subject to change per Massachusetts regulations. All Cambridge College licensure programs are based on current regulations.
- All candidates admitted for licensure programs must successfully complete the program in its entirety.
- All requirements at the time of program completion must be finalized prior to seeking Massachusetts endorsement for licensure purposes.
- If you have any licensure questions, please speak to your program chair.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
Boston Requirements
The following are required for the licensure programs.
- 3.0 GPA for earned bachelor's degree
- Massachusetts Educator Personnel ID (MEPID number)
- MTEL Communication & Literacy Test, successfully completed
Required, if completed:
- Massachusetts preliminary license, if held
- Sheltered English Instruction requirement
- Fingerprinting and Criminal Offender Record Information
Applicants who do not initially meet all requirements (e.g. GPA of 3.0 or MTEL) for admission into the licensure program must enroll in the corresponding non-licensure degree option.
Online Requirements
The following are required for the licensure programs.
- 3.0 GPA for earned bachelor's degree
- Massachusetts Educator Personnel ID (MEPID number)
- MTEL Communication & Literacy Test, successfully completed
Required, if completed:
- Massachusetts preliminary license, if held
- Sheltered English Instruction requirement
- Fingerprinting and Criminal Offender Record Information
Applicants who do not initially meet all requirements (e.g. GPA of 3.0 or MTEL) for admission into the licensure program must enroll in the corresponding non-licensure degree option.
Careers in Teaching Students with Moderate Disabilities
In Boston and throughout Massachusetts, the annual mean wage for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school, was $82,230 in May 2022.1 At the secondary school level, Massachusetts special education teachers earned $83,990.2
Although overall employment of special education teachers is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032,3 it’s a career path that offers strong job security and job mobility since cities and towns practically everywhere need special education teachers. While most careers in special education exist in the traditional school setting or within school systems, entrepreneurial special ed professionals can also pioneer new roles in other kinds of educational, training and medical settings.
$83,990
Annual mean wage for special education teachers at the secondary level, Massachusetts, in May 2022.2
$82,230
Annual mean wage for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school, Massachusetts, May 2022.1
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252052.htm#ind (visited Nov. 20, 2023)
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Special Education Teachers, Secondary School, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252058.htm#ind (visited Nov. 20, 2023)
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Special Education Teachers https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm (visited Nov. 20, 2023)
Jobs for Teachers of Students with Moderate Disabilities
In most cases, graduates are found teaching students with disabilities in the following professional settings:
- Schools or school systems, both public and private
- Community organizations and private special needs providers that serve individuals and families
- Preschools and daycare facilities
- Government agencies at both the state and local levels
- Centers that provide residential care for a variety of populations
- Healthcare organizations or providers, especially those that focus on children where diagnoses of severe or moderate disabilities typically happen
Faculty Spotlight
Janna Murphy
MEd
Faculty Member and Course Instructor
Janna Murphy is a literacy coach and has been in the education field for the past 20 years. Beginning her teaching career in the New York City Public Schools as a second grade teacher, Janna became fascinated by the world of literacy teaching and learning. After her first few years in the classroom, Janna enrolled in the Advanced Literacy Program at Bank Street College where she was able to work alongside many renowned experts and researchers of literacy learning. After completing this...
Nicole M. Stallions
MEd, CAGS
Program Chair, Moderate Disabilities & Autism Specialist and Senior Instructor
Nicole is an accomplished special education leader and educator with over 20 years of experience designing programming and interventions for students with disabilities. Nicole has served as a special education administrator for 15 years and a special educational teacher at the elementary and middle school level. Nicole has also worked as an Executive Functioning Coach supporting elementary, middle, and high school students. Nicole currently works as a public school administrator and prides...