Education

Inclusive Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (5-12)

Master of Education (M.Ed.): Initial Licensure Program, On-Campus, Off-Campus, or Teacher Residency

Become a more caring and competent educator.

Our graduate special education faculty believe in the competence of every individual and that an equal education is a right. To that end, we prepare teachers who will be lifelong advocates for their students, and who will prepare them for success in life. If you want to work with students with moderate disabilities in grades 5-12, this program will give you the skills and knowledge to offer opportunities that will prepare them for the future.

REGISTER: M.Ed. in Education Virtual Information Session

You'll begin your program with an overview of the special education profession. Then, you'll take courses that cover equity and inclusion, technology, communication, and reading and writing. You'll learn how to design curriculum for a learners of varying abilities, and how to create Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Get to know the characteristics and effects of disabling conditions. Explore issues in speech, language, and communication. Discover how to develop a variety of strategies for adapting curriculum, and apply those strategies during your student teaching experience (teacher residencies fulfill this requirement at the residency site). And because evaluating students is a responsibility of all special educators, you’ll also focus on assessment issues. 

Come study where you and your faculty will work together to co-construct new knowledge and practices. By engaging in self-reflection and examination of multiple perspectives, you'll emerge as an effective and compassionate educator. 

With the skills in hand needed for a rewarding career, you'll graduate from the university that educates more teachers than any place else in New England. In fact, more than 4,500 people have earned a teaching degree here in just the last five years. You'll leave knowing that 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. 

You may be able to waive some courses based on previous coursework, which may reduce the total number of program credits (minimum=34). 

Graduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus, off-campus, or teacher residency program. *** Beginning Summer 2024, complete your M.Ed. in fewer credits and less time. Check back soon for our new required courses.***

41 Credits (36 credits starting in Summer 2024)
On-Campus Graduate Education Programs

Our on-campus programs are offered in a combination of face-to-face, remote synchronous via Zoom, or asynchronous online courses. Whatever the delivery mode, you'll get the same careful attention and support from our dedicated faculty and staff.

Please contact luadmissions@lesley.edu if you have any questions.

High school teacher in front of the classroom

Yearlong Teacher Residency Option

Finish your degree in just over a year—with double the teaching experience and at a reduced cost—as a resident intern in a participating public or independent school. In this program format, you participate full-time in the life of the school, and take classes at both the school site and Lesley.

Apply by May 1, 2023, to start this program in Summer, 2023, at Westwood Public Schools.

Gain Skills and Expertise
Our moderate disabilities program prepares 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
Dr. Barbara Govendo
Barbara’s academic expertise covers effective learning strategies for students with disabilities, development of inspiring mentoring skills, and the intersection of learning and neuroscience. She teaches courses in the special education programs as well as a doctoral-level course in learning and the brain.
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:
Important Licensure Information

All Lesley University educator licensure programs comply with current Massachusetts educational requirements, as specified. In addition, Massachusetts participates in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement, which makes it possible for an educator to have their Massachusetts license/s recognized across the United States. Depending on your professional goals, where you reside or plan to teach, and the licensure structures that exist within that state, there are diverse pathways to licensure that may be relevant. In accordance with Lesley University’s institutional participation in SARA (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement) and with federal regulations, Lesley University strongly encourages prospective applicants who intend to pursue licensure in a state other than Massachusetts review the Lesley University Licensure and Credentialing page for more information.

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
Inclusive Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (5-12)
  • Tuition
    $925/credit x 41
    $37,925
  • Fees
    Field Experience Fee
    $850
    MAP ePortfolio Fee
    $200
    Comprehensive Fee
    $1,025
  • 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.

  • Tuition
    $750/credit x 41
    $30,750
  • Fees
    Field Experience Fee
    $850
    MAP ePortfolio Fee
    $200
    Comprehensive Fee
    $1,025
  • 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.

  • Tuition
    $562.50/credit x 41
    $23,063
  • Fees
    Field Experience Fee
    $850
    Map ePortfolio Fee
    $200
    Comprehensive Fee
    $1,025
  • 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.

Teacher Residency

Teacher Residency pricing varies from school to school. Contact Graduate Admissions for pricing information at 888.LESLEY.U / 617.349.8300 or luadmissions@lesley.edu.

The Office of Veterans Affairs has determined that Teacher Residency programs are not eligible for Veteran’s Benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill®.

 

Apply Now

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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.