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Education

Special Education: Individually Designed Program

Master of Education (M.Ed.): Non-Licensure

Gain targeted skills for teaching students with disabilities.

You have specific career goals. We work with you to construct a program that helps you meet them. In this flexible, advanced-level program in moderate or severe disabilities, you can design an area of study that best suits your personal, intellectual, and career growth.

REGISTER: M.Ed. in Education Virtual Information Session

You’ll start with a seminar in special education, in which you can explore your area of interest and future direction. Then, working with an advisor, you’ll choose five courses in a concentration, such as in English as a Second Language, technology, autism, early childhood, curriculum development, assessment, or literacy, and five related elective courses from across the university. A research or field-based project lets you put new skills to practical use.

At Lesley, we prepare teachers who are lifelong advocates for their students. We believe in the competence of every individual, and equal access to quality education. Here, you’ll learn to express those principles in your teaching. You'll work together with faculty to co-construct knowledge, and engage in the kind of self-reflection that leads to greater cultural and social justice awareness.

Upon completion, you’ll graduate from New England's premier university for teacher preparation knowing you have the degree you need to land the career you're passionate about. That's because employers in Massachusetts prefer to hire Lesley graduates, saying that they are best prepared to enter the classroom on day one

Graduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

33 Credits
Gain Skills and Expertise
Our moderate and severe disabilities programs prepare you to:
$86,755
Average salary for teachers in Massachusetts (2021-2022), according to the National Education Association.
#1
Superintendents and other hiring managers across Massachusetts prefer to hire Lesley graduates, reporting that they are best prepared to enter the classroom on day one. (Source: Radius Global Market Research)
Top Schools
Massachusetts ranks as the best state to be a teacher, with some of the highest performing schools and best salaries in the country, according to US News.
Barbara Govendo
Special Education
Barbara Govendo
Barbara has had experience teaching, supervising, designing programs and teaching educators in both general and special education. She is interested in brain research and implications for education, effective learning strategies for students with disabilities, executive function, differentiated instruction practices, development of inspiring mentoring skills, and the collaborative educational process.
john dickson
Special Education
John Dickson ’97
An Individually Designed M.Ed. program graduate, John is a high school civics and government teacher. He won an American Civic Education Teacher Award for his “exceptional expertise, dynamism, and creativity in motivating students to learn about the Constitution, Congress, and public policy.” In his classes, he teaches what he calls the “habits of citizenship."
The degree employers are looking for.
Lesley graduates go on to rewarding careers in public and private schools, charter schools, and beyond. That's because our programs are ranked #1 for preparing teachers with the skills Massachusetts employers are seeking, including:
Graduate Inclusive Special Education Programs

Faculty

Total approximate cost for this master's degree program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Special Education: Individually Designed Program
  • Tuition
    $925/credit x 33
    $30,525
  • Fees
    MAP ePortfolio Fee
    $200
    Degree Completion Fee
    $825
  • Total
Estimated Cost

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of financial aid are also available. Review all graduate tuition and fees, and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

Apply Now

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.

Your degree is an investment, and we're committed to ensuring its value. That's why we offer the best teacher education in Massachusetts at competitive tuition rates.
We'll help ensure your degree is as affordable as possible. Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.