EdM in Special Education
The Master of Education (EdM) in Special Education at BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development supports students in developing strong skills in instruction, collaboration, and advocacy through thoughtfully designed coursework and frequent, ongoing opportunities for critical reflection and feedback. Upon acceptance into the program, students will become part of a supportive learning community of faculty, practitioners, and peers in the program and the college. All students will be assigned a Special Education faculty member as an advisor. Advisors provide individualized advising throughout students’ experience at BU Wheelock.
The EdM in Special Education offers 11 distinct tracks in order to meet a wide range of personal and professional interests and goals, including, but not limited to, teacher licensure. Students who are not seeking an initial or add-on teaching license will take the course sequence described in the general track and can tailor a large portion of their program of study with the guidance of their faculty advisor. These students also have the option of pursuing the dual degree track in Special Education and Social Work.
Nine of the tracks include coursework that leads to a recommendation to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for an initial or add-on teaching license in Moderate Disabilities (grades preK–2, preK–8, or 5–12) or Severe Disabilities (All Levels or grades preK–2). Students in the licensure-granting tracks of the EdM complete scaffolded fieldwork in diverse school and instructional contexts within the greater Boston area throughout their program. These experiences culminate in a term-long student teaching experience. All field placements are supervised by Wheelock Special Education faculty and program supervisors, who work in partnership with carefully selected supervising practitioners in a variety of instructional settings.
Learning Outcomes
- Effective instruction: Use high-leverage and culturally relevant practices to design, deliver, and evaluate instruction and instructional materials that promote academic and social-emotional success. (Licensure Tracks).
- Intentional collaboration: Engage with students, families, and the broader school community to collaboratively build culturally relevant systems and supports that meet the needs of all students.
- Proactive advocacy: Recognize and challenge educational systems that maintain ableism, racism, and other systems of oppression in order to promote accessible and inclusive schools where high expectations, self-determination, and a presumption of competence are fostered for all students with disabilities.
- Reflective practice: Engage regularly in goal-setting and critical self-reflection processes for continuous professional growth and development.
Coursework for EdM—General Track (Non-Licensure; 36 units)
Special Education Core (16 units)*
- Any RS course (4 units)
- WED SE 706 Disability, Education & Society (4 units)
- WED SE 533 Families of Students with Disabilities (4 units)
- WED SE 515 Assessment and Eligibility in Special Education (2 units)
- WED SE 537 Assistive Technology (2 units)
Electives (20 units)
20 units of elective courses, chosen in consultation with academic advisor.
Coursework for EdM—Initial License in Moderate Disabilities Grades preK–8 (48 units)
Special Education Core (20 units)
- WED LR 551 Reading Development, Assessment, and Instruction (4 units)
- WED SE 706 Disability, Education & Society (4 units)
- WED SE 601 Collaborative Approaches to Individualized Education Programming (2 units)
- WED SE 515 Assessment and Eligibility in Special Education (2 units)
- WED SE 572 Culturally Relevant Approaches to Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units)
- WED SE 580 Instructional Methods for Teaching Foundational Literacy Skills (4 units)
Additional Licensure Requirements (18 units)
- WED SE 505 Self-Determined Transition Planning for Youth with Disabilities (2 units) OR WED SE 504 Early Childhood Special Education: Policy and Practice (2 units)
- WED SE 584 Inclusive Pedagogy: Foundations (4 units)
- WED TL 520 Teaching English Language Learners (4 units)
- WED ME 545 Inclusive Methods of Teaching Math (4 units)
- WED SE 502 Behavioral and Emotional Problems: Characteristics and Methods OR WED SE 503 Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia: Assessment, Instruction, and Identification (4 units)
Supervised Field Experiences (10 units)
- WED SE 613 Special Education Fieldwork (2 units)
- WED SE 615 Special Education Fieldwork Seminar: Applying Inclusive Pedagogy (2 units)
- WED SE 593 Practicum/Practicum Equivalent: Moderate Disabilities Licensure Tracks (6 units)
Coursework for EdM—Initial License in Moderate Disabilities Grades 5–12 (48 units)
Special Education Core (20 units)
- WED SE 706 Disability, Education & Society (4 units)
- WED SE 601 Collaborative Approaches to Individualized Education Programming (2 units)
- WED SE 515 Assessment and Eligibility in Special Education (2 units)
- WED SE 572 Culturally Relevant Approaches to Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units)
- WED SE 580 Instructional Methods for Teaching Foundational Literacy Skills (4 units)
- WED LR 551 Reading Development, Assessment, and Instruction (4 units)
Additional Licensure Requirements (18 units)
- WED SE 505 Self-Determined Transition Planning for Youth with Disabilities (2 units)
- WED SE 584 Inclusive Pedagogy: Foundations (4 units)
- WED TL 525 Teaching English Language Learners in Middle/High Schools (4 units)
- Secondary Content Area Course (WED CT 575, SO 572, SC 672, EN 506, ME 546, or ME 547; 4 units)
- WED SE 502 Behavioral and Emotional Problems: Characteristics and Methods OR WED SE 503 Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia: Assessment, Instruction, and Identification, or an additional secondary content area/content area methods course in consultation with the advisor (4 units)
Supervised Field Experiences (10 units)
- WED SE 613 Special Education Fieldwork (2 units)
- WED SE 615 Special Education Fieldwork Seminar: Applying Inclusive Pedagogy (2 units)
- WED SE 593 Practicum/Practicum Equivalent: Moderate Disabilities Licensure Tracks (6 units)
Coursework for EdM—Initial License in Moderate Disabilities Grades preK–2 (48 units)
Special Education Core (20 units)
- WED SE 706 Disability, Education & Society (4 units)
- WED SE 601 Collaborative Approaches to Individualized Education Programming (2 units)
- WED SE 515 Assessment and Eligibility in Special Education (2 units)
- WED SE 572 Culturally Relevant Approaches to Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units)
- WED SE 580 Instructional Methods for Teaching Foundational Literacy Skills (4 units)
- *WED LR 551 Reading Development, Assessment, and Instruction (4 units)
Additional Licensure Requirements (18 units)
- WED EC 560 STEM & Inquiry-Based Learning OR WED EC 540 Integrated Curriculum (4 units)
- WED SE 502 Behavioral and Emotional Problems: Characteristics and Methods OR WED SE 503 Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia: Assessment, Instruction, and Identification, OR an additional course in ECE chosen in consultation with the advisor (4 units)
- WED SE 504 Early Childhood Special Education: Policy and Practice (2 units)
- WED SE 584 Inclusive Pedagogy: Foundations (4 units)
- WED TL 520 Teaching English Language Learners (4 units)
Supervised Field Experiences (10 units)
- WED SE 613 Special Education Fieldwork (2 units)
- WED SE 615 Special Education Fieldwork Seminar: Applying Inclusive Pedagogy (2 units)
- WED SE 593 Practicum/Practicum Equivalent: Moderate Disabilities Licensure Tracks (6 units)
Coursework for EdM—Initial License in Severe Disabilities All Levels (48 units)
Special Education Core (20 units)
- WED SE 706 Disability, Education & Society (4 units)
- WED SE 601 Collaborative Approaches to Individualized Education Programming (2 units)
- WED SE 515 Assessment and Eligibility in Special Education (2 units)
- WED SE 572 Culturally Relevant Approaches to Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units)
- WED SE 580 Instructional Methods for Teaching Foundational Literacy Skills (4 units)
- WED LR 551 Reading Development, Assessment, and Instruction (4 units)
Additional Licensure Requirements (18 units)
- WED SE 505 Self-Determined Transition Planning for Youth with Disabilities (2 units)
- WED SE 504 Early Childhood Special Education: Policy and Practice (2 units)
- WED SE 507 Inclusive Pedagogy for Modified Curriculum I (4 units)
- WED SE 508 Inclusive Pedagogy for Modified Curriculum II (4 units)
- WED TL 520 Teaching English Language Learners (4 units)
- WED SE 535 Understanding Autism (2 units)
Supervised Field Experiences (10 units)
- WED SE 613 Special Education Fieldwork (2 units)
- WED SE 615 Special Education Fieldwork Seminar: Applying Inclusive Pedagogy (2 units)
- WED SE 595 Practicum/Practicum Equivalent: Severe Disabilities Licensure Tracks (6 units)
Coursework for EdM—Initial License in Severe Disabilities Grades preK–2 (48 units)
Special Education Core (20 units)
- WED SE 706 Disability, Education & Society (4 units)
- WED SE 601 Collaborative Approaches to Individualized Education Programming (2 units)
- WED SE 515 Assessment and Eligibility in Special Education (2 units)
- WED SE 572 Culturally Relevant Approaches to Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units)
- WED SE 580 Instructional Methods for Teaching Foundational Literacy Skills (4 units)
- WED LR 551 Reading Development, Assessment, and Instruction (4 units)
Additional Licensure Requirements (18 units)
- WED SE 504 Early Childhood Special Education: Policy and Practice (2 units)
- WED EC 560 STEM & Inquiry Based Learning OR WED EC 540 Integrated Curriculum (4 units)
- WED SE 507 Inclusive Pedagogy for Modified Curriculum I (4 units)
- WED SE 508 Inclusive Pedagogy for Modified Curriculum II (4 units)
- WED TL 520 Teaching English Language Learners (4 units)
Supervised Field Experiences (10 units)
- WED SE 613 Special Education Fieldwork (2 units)
- WED SE 615 Special Education Fieldwork Seminar: Applying Inclusive Pedagogy (2 units)
- WED SE 595 Practicum/Practicum Equivalent: Severe Disabilities Licensure Tracks (6 units)
Coursework for EdM—Accelerated Add-On License in Moderate Disabilities Grades preK–8 (36 units)
Note: Admission to this track requires formal approval from the program director based on a review of prior coursework. This track is designed for students working as instructors of record who hold an active teaching license in elementary education or early childhood education and SEI endorsement in the state of Massachusetts and are looking to add licensure in Moderate Disabilities grades preK–8 in the state of Massachusetts.
Special Education Core (20 units)
- WED SE 706 Disability, Education & Society (4 units)
- WED SE 601 Collaborative Approaches to Individualized Education Programming (2 units)
- WED SE 515 Assessment and Eligibility in Special Education (2 units)
- WED SE 572 Culturally Relevant Approaches to Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units)
- WED SE 580 Instructional Methods for Teaching Foundational Literacy Skills (4 units)
- WED LR 551 Reading Development, Assessment, and Instruction (4 units)
Additional Licensure Requirements (6 units)
- WED SE 505 Self-Determined Transition Planning for Youth with Disabilities (2 units) OR WED SE 504 Early Childhood Special Education: Policy and Practice (2 units)
- WED SE 584 Inclusive Pedagogy: Foundations (4 units)
Supervised Field Experiences (10 units)
- WED SE 613 Special Education Fieldwork (2 units)
- WED SE 615 Special Education Fieldwork Seminar: Applying Inclusive Pedagogy (2 units)
- WED SE 595 Practicum: Severe Disabilities Licensure track (6 units)
Coursework for EdM—Accelerated Add-On License in Moderate Disabilities Grades preK–2 (36 units)
Note: Admission to this track requires formal approval from the program director based on a review of prior coursework. This track is designed for students working as instructors of record who hold an active teaching license in elementary education or early childhood education and SEI endorsement in the state of Massachusetts and are looking to add licensure in Moderate Disabilities grades preK–8 in the state of Massachusetts.
Special Education Core (20 units)
- WED SE 706 Disability, Education & Society (4 units)
- WED SE 601 Collaborative Approaches to Individualized Education Programming (2 units)
- WED SE 515 Assessment and Eligibility in Special Education (2 units)
- WED SE 572 Culturally Relevant Approaches to Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units)
- WED SE 580 Instructional Methods for Teaching Foundational Literacy Skills (4 units)
- WED LR 551 Reading Development, Assessment, and Instruction (4 units)
Additional Licensure Requirements (6 units)
- WED SE 584 Inclusive Pedagogy: Foundations (4 units)
- WED SE 504 Early Childhood Special Education: Policy and Practice (2 units)
Supervised Field Experiences (10 units)
- WED SE 613 Special Education Fieldwork (2 units)
- WED SE 615 Special Education Fieldwork Seminar: Applying Inclusive Pedagogy (2 units)
- WED SE 593 Practicum/Practicum Equivalent: Moderate Disabilities Licensure Tracks (6 units)
Coursework for EdM—Accelerated Add-On License in Moderate Disabilities Grades 5–12 (36 units)
Note: Admission to this track requires formal approval from the program director based on a review of prior coursework. This track is designed for students working as instructors of record who hold an active teaching license in a secondary content area and SEI endorsement in the state of Massachusetts and are looking to add licensure in Moderate Disabilities grades preK–8 in the state of Massachusetts.
Special Education Core (20 units)
- WED SE 706 Disability, Education & Society (4 units)
- WED SE 601 Collaborative Approaches to Individualized Education Programming (2 units)
- WED SE 515 Assessment and Eligibility in Special Education (2 units)
- WED SE 572 Culturally Relevant Approaches to Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units)
- WED SE 580 Instructional Methods for Teaching Foundational Literacy Skills (4 units)
- WED LR 551 Reading Development, Assessment, and Instruction (4 units)
Additional Licensure Requirements (6 units)
- WED SE 505 Self-Determined Transition Planning for Youth with Disabilities (2 units)
- WED SE 584 Inclusive Pedagogy: Foundations (4 units)
Supervised Field Experiences (10 units)
- WED SE 613 Special Education Fieldwork (2 units)
- WED SE 615 Special Education Fieldwork Seminar: Applying Inclusive Pedagogy (2 units)
- WED SE 593 Practicum/Practicum Equivalent: Moderate Disabilities Licensure Tracks (6 units)
Coursework for EdM—Initial License in Moderate Disabilities (PreK–Grade 8) and Elementary Education (Grades 1–6) (56 units)
General Requirements (42 units)
- WED CH 515 Curriculum Methods 1–6 (10 units)
- WED ME 503 Mathematical Reasoning in the Elementary Grades: Number Systems (4 units)
- WED ME 545 Inclusive Methods for Teaching Math (4 units)
- WED SE 515 Assessment and Eligibility in Special Education (2 units)
- WED SE 572 Culturally Relevant Approaches to Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units)
- WED SE 601 Collaborative Approaches to Individualized Educational Programming (2 units)
- WED SE 706 Disability, Education & Society (4 units)
- WED SE 580 Instructional Methods for Teaching Foundational Literacy Skills (4 units)
- WED LR 551 Reading Development, Assessment, and Instruction (4 units)
- WED TL 520 Teaching English Language Learners (4 units)
Supervised Field Experiences (14 units)
- WED CH 655 Practicum: Elementary (8 units)
- WED SE 593 Practicum/Practicum Equivalent: Moderate Disabilities Licensure Tracks (6 units)
Coursework for EdM—Dual Degree in Social Work and Special Education (83 units)
The dual degree program with social work is designed to develop knowledge and skills in students in both social work and special education. The program is a multifaceted course of study leading to the dual master’s degree—Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Education (EdM) in Special Education. Teacher licensure may also be obtained with additional coursework.
A total of 83 units is required, with 50 in social work, 24 in special education, and 9 taken in either the School of Social Work or Wheelock. A list of required special education courses and special education electives are presented below. Social work requirements should be reviewed in the School of Social Work section of the Bulletin.
Coursework in Special Education (26 units)
- Any RS course (4 units)
- WED SE 706 Disability, Education & Society (4 units)
- WED AP 753 Educational Policy (4 units) OR WED AP 754 Educational Equity and the Law (4 units)
- WED SE 744 Special Education Administration (2 units)
- 12 units elective courses in Special Education
