MEd or CAGS in Moderate Disabilities

• Demonstrate an understanding of the developmental milestones and learning challenges experienced by students with moderate disabilities and explain how these factor impact learning and self-efficacy.
• Design inclusive, culturally responsive and safe learning environments that promote selfawareness, self-determination, and positive social skills for students with moderate disabilities.
• Plan and implement instruction using general and specialized curriculum, and justify instructional decisions based on the unique needs of students with moderate disabilities. 
• Utilize and interpret multiple sources of assessment data to inform appropriate educational decisions and individualized supports.
• Select, adapt, and apply evidence-based instructional strategies including the integration of assistive technology to improve student learning outcomes and promote academic growth. 

All candidates must have passed either one of the following courses at the graduate or undergraduate level: Child Development, Child Psychology or Developmental Psychology.  All Benchmark Assignments must be passed with a 3 or 4 on a 4-point scale in order to pass the respective course. 

Grades PreK-2 Track

Foundation Courses 

• EDU5400: The Reflective Practitioner  
• EDU5410: Introduction to Special Education (25 hours fieldwork) 

Professional Area Courses 

• EDU5430: Differentiating Instruction and the IEP Process (25 hours fieldwork)
• EDU5525: Social Emotional Learning & Behavioral Interventions in PK-2 Classrooms
• EDU5515: Early Literacy Instruction in the Inclusive Classroom (25 hours fieldwork)
• EDU5560: Mathematical Instruction for Diverse Learners (25 hours fieldwork)
• EDU5550: Language Acquisition and Literacy

Specialty Area Courses 

• EDU5610: School and Community Support of Families
• EDU6600: Assessment, Methods, and Materials for Teaching Special Education

Licensure Track

• EDU6624: Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) Seminar  
• EDU6839/6840: Practicum in Education I/II: Moderate Disabilities 

Degree Only, Non-Licensure Track

• EDU 6639/6640  Field-Based Research I/II

Additional Program Notes

EDU6625 Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement Course is available to students who have not yet earned the SEI Endorsement.  While the SEI Endorsement is a requirement for licensure as mandated by DESE, it is not a requirement for degree completion nor licensure endorsement.   

Total credits: 36-42

Licensure Track: 39 credits  

Degree only, Non-licensure Track: 36 credits  

Completion of SEI course accounts for an additional 3 credits 

Grades PreK-8 Track

Foundation Courses

• EDU5420: The Culturally Responsive Practitioner 
• EDU5410: Introduction to Special Education (25 hours fieldwork)

Professional Area Courses

• EDU5430: Differentiating Instruction and the IEP Process (25 hours fieldwork)
• EDU6610: Behavior Management
• EDU5510: Literacy Instruction in the Inclusive Classroom (25 hours fieldwork)
• EDU5560: Mathematical Instruction for Diverse Learners (25 hours fieldwork)

Specialty Area Courses 

• EDU6600: Assessment, Methods, and Materials for Teaching Special Education

Licensure Track

• EDU6624: Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) Seminar  
• EDU6839/6840: Practicum in Education I/II: Moderate Disabilities

Degree Only, Non-Licensure Track

• EDU 6639/6640  Field-Based Research I/II

Additional Program Notes

EDU6625 Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement Course is available to students who have not yet earned the SEI Endorsement.  While the SEI Endorsement is a requirement for licensure as mandated by DESE, it is not a requirement for degree completion nor licensure endorsement.   

Total credits: 30-36

Licensure Track: 33 credits  

Degree only, Non-licensure Track: 30 credits  

Completion of SEI course accounts for an additional 3 credits 

Grades 5-12 Track

Foundation Courses  

• EDU5420: The Culturally Responsive Practitioner 
• EDU5410: Introduction to Special Education (25 hours fieldwork)  

Professional Area Courses  

• EDU6672: Middle and Secondary School Methods in Mathematics (25 hours fieldwork)
• EDU6610: Behavior Management
• EDU5430: Differentiating Instruction and the IEP Process (25 hours fieldwork)
• EDU5600: Post Secondary Options through Collaborative Educational Planning
• EDU6661: Literacy in the Content Areas for Middle and Secondary Schools (25 hours fieldwork)

Specialty Area Courses  

• EDU6600: Assessment, Methods, and Materials for Teaching Special Education

Licensure Track

• EDU6624: Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) Seminar  
• EDU6839/6840: Practicum in Education I/II: Moderate Disabilities   

Degree Only, Non-Licensure Track

• EDU 6639/6640  Field-Based Research I/II

Additional Program Notes

EDU6625 Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement Course is available to students who have not yet earned the SEI Endorsement.  While the SEI Endorsement is a requirement for licensure as mandated by DESE, it is not a requirement for degree completion nor licensure endorsement.   

Total credits: 33-39

Licensure Track: 36 credits  

Degree only, Non-licensure Track: 33 credits  

Completion of SEI course accounts for an additional 3 credits  

Please reference the current catalogfor all course descriptions.

General Requirements

The MEd and CAGS offer rolling admissions, accepting applications throughout the year.

General requirements are:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, with preference given to applicants whose field of study directly aligns with the specific academic program selected.
  • For the CAGS program, candidates must additionally hold a master’s degree in a field directly aligned with the specific academic program selected.
• A GPA of 3.0 or better.
• A copy of your current license (if applicable).
• A completed and signed application.
• Official sealed transcript(s) of all previous academic work, undergraduate and graduate.
• Two (2) professional letters of recommendation, including at least one recommendation from a current supervisor.
• Personal goal statement or essay. In approximately 500 words, please respond to these questions:
  • Why are you interested in pursuing a graduate degree in education at AIC?
  • What are your career goals and how will enrolling in this program impact your educational, personal, and professional growth?
• U.S. $50 non-refundable application fee.

Note: In the event a 3.0 GPA is not held, evidence must be submitted with the application that merits further review by the School of Education’s Graduate Admissions Committee. Documented evidence includes (but is not limited to) GRE scores (if applicable), successful completion of the last 30 credits of prior undergraduate coursework (for the MEd program) or the last 15 credits of prior graduate coursework (for the CAGS program), and/or an interview with designated personnel in the program selected.

Depending on the outcome of the interview and review of all other application materials, the individual may be granted full or conditional acceptance into the program.

A $500-per-credit cost prices AIC’s Master of Education programs at a competitive value, tailored to the needs of today’s educators.

Our resources cover all associated costs and how to finance your education.

The closeness and encouragement for which AIC is known extends to the online space, sparking energizing discussions among diverse, driven educators:

• A community of leaders: Gain insights from fellow professionals who’ve spent three to more than 10 years in a school or similar environment. Many of your peers assume informal leadership roles as mentors, curriculum leaders, or committee chairs. 
• Designed for working educators: Once-a-week synchronous online courses and practicum assignments completed from your location easily fit your education around your schedule. You’ll remain in your classroom while observing ways you can foster change in your school.
• Cohort learning: Benefit from regular meetings with a small, familiar group of classmates who are striving toward a similar outcome. In many cases, you’ll interact with professionals who represent districts all over Massachusetts.