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Special Education Programs Overview
The Teaching, Curriculum, and Society (TCS) department offers the following special education programs at the master's degree level in moderate, extensive and multiple support needs:
Moderate Support Needs, M.Ed.
Early Childhood Education & Moderate Support Needs, M.Ed.
Elementary Education & Moderate Support Needs, M.Ed.
Secondary Education & Moderate Support Needs, M.Ed.
Students pursuing dual licensure benefit from practicum experience that meets both licensure requirements and accelerated program of study.
For more information on each the degree programs, please see the appropriate Program of Study.
If you continue to have questions, please contact the Graduate Student Services team (gadofc@bc.edu).
Your Support Team
Your Support Team
Program Directors and Faculty Advisors
Program Directors and Faculty Advisors
The Program Directors oversee all of the Special Education licensure programs. Prior to being assigned a faculty advisor, you can reach out to your Program Director with any questions related to your program. They are a great resource as you move through your program.
Each student is assigned a Faculty Advisor. Oftentimes Program Directors serve as Faculty Advisors. They will provide guidance about course waivers, transfer credits, and leaves of absence, as needed. Your advisor will help you choose your courses and plan your Program of Study. They are a great resource to discuss your career and long-term plans as well as your goals for the program.
If you are not sure which Special Education program is the best path based on your educational background and your career aspirations, please reach out to the Program Director.
It is crucial to stay in contact with your faculty advisor as you move through your program. Please ensure schedule regular meetings to discuss academic and professional plans. This includes drafting your Program of Study for review, sharing details about your career goals, discussing academic options (substituting a course, taking a course outside of BC, transferring credits, etc.), and checking in to ensure you are meeting program milestones.
Not sure who your Faculty Advisor is?
Email the Graduate Office (gadofc@bc.edu) and our team is happy to connect you with your advisor.
Graduate Student Services
Graduate Student Services
The Graduate Student Services team supports students with everything from course registration to financial aid, and general student support. Please contact us with any questions.
Carolyn Looker
Graduate Financial Aid
Kaitlyn Solano
Graduate Student Services
Bella Esposito
Student Support
Carolyn McDonald
Graduate Student Services
Not sure who to reach out to?
Our team manages different inboxes that are the fastest way to get in touch.
Course Registration: lynchgradcourseregistration@bc.edu
Financial Aid: gsoe@bc.edu
General Questions: gradoffice@bc.edu
Student Support: gsehdstudentsupport@bc.edu
Academic Planning & Advising
Academic Planning & Advising
Students should reach out to their advisor or the Graduate Student Services team to begin planning their program as soon as possible. We highly recommend meeting with a member of our team prior to registering for your first semester. The following information should guide your academic planning, but each student's experience is unique and it is important to review your plan with your advisor prior to making any final decisions.
Program of Study
Program of Study
Please review the appropriate Program of Study for your program. You will find all of the requirements for your degree listed.
Please see Programs of Study for more information on how to complete and submit your final Program of Study.
Depending on your graduate program, you may plan to complete your degree in as few as three semesters, however, most students complete their special education licensure program in two years (four to five semesters).
Required Courses
Please note that there are two routes to complete the Moderate Special Needs Program. Track B is for those students who have already completed coursework related to a general education teacher preparation program (34 credits); you may be able to waive some of these requirements, please consult your advisor.
While, typically, applicants have already completed the requirements of a general education teacher preparation program, we do offer an extended program (55 credits) that addresses the needs of applicants who have not met this requirement. Students admitted to the Moderate Disabilities program Track A will be required to complete certain general education requirements before being granted a diploma or endorsement in Moderate Special Needs; some of these courses may be waived based on your prior coursework, you should consult your advisor.
If you are not certain which degree program is appropriate for your career interests, you must consult with the program coordinator, Dr. David Scanlon (david.scanlon@bc.edu), before enrolling and beginning coursework.
Program Completion
Program Completion
Practicum Experiences
Practicum Experiences
Each student must complete a pre-practicum and full practicum experience as a part of their master's program.
Students in the Moderate Support Needs or the Extensive Support Needs will complete one pre-practicum semester (1 credit) followed by one full-practicum (6 credits) semester.
Students in a dual license program will complete one pre-practicum semester (1 credit), followed by two separate full practicum (3 credits each) semesters. Each full practicum experience will correspond with one of the areas of licensure the student is pursuing.
All teacher candidates who are full time employees (e.g., teacher of record, teacher’s assistant, paraprofessional, intern, teaching fellow, etc.) who want to complete their practicum experience at their school of employment must complete an Employment Request.
Please note that all graduate teacher candidates, even if employed, must register for the appropriate pre-practicum course and complete the Pre-Practicum Placement Application. Similarly, all graduate teacher candidates, even if employed, must register for the appropriate full practicum course and complete the Full Practicum Placement Application. After completing the application, you will be invited to a mandatory meeting with the Office of Field Placement and Partnership Outreach to discuss arrangements for your full practicum experience.
If you have questions, you can learn more through the Office of Field Placement’s advising site or by contacting the team directly at prac@bc.edu
Master's Comprehensive Exam
Master's Comprehensive Exam
EDUC 8100, the Master’s Comprehensive Examination in Education, must be taken as part of your degree completion. The Master’s Comprehensive Examination is satisfied by your successful completion Graduate Inquiry Seminar 2 (passing grade of 70%). You will register for EDUC 8100, EDUC 7432, and EDUC 7610: Clinical Experience during the semester in which you are full-time teaching.
Professional Licensure in Massachusetts
Professional Licensure in Massachusetts
Upon completion of your licensure-track program in moderate disabilities (Track A), you will be endorsed from Boston College which signifies that you have successfully completed a state-approved program leading to licensure in Massachusetts. In addition, students can earn the SEI Endorsement, required of all educators applying for their first Initial license in Massachusetts, by completing the approved Program of Study for the designated initial licensure program and graduating from Boston College. It is important to note that your Initial license will be granted by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in accordance with state law and regulations. Additional information about the endorsement process and licensure requirements are available on the Office of Field Placement’s advising site.
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