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Continuing Studies SPED Program for Paraprofessionals

CS SPED Degree Completion Program

Pursue your degree in Special Education at BSU part-time at night and online while working as a paraprofessional in a Massachusetts public school and you may qualify for up to $6,000 per year in educational grants from the Massachusetts Department of Education.

Students pursuing their bachelor’s degree through BSU’s College of Continuing Studies attend part-time but enjoy all the benefits of an undergraduate student. Special Education courses are delivered over a three-year period. Most of the courses will be delivered online. Participants in the program will be required to student teach during the regular school day. 


Continuing Studies SPED Webinar

Learn more about the BSU Special Education Night/Online bachelor's degree program and the Paraprofessional grant from BSU Special Education faculty members and Continuing Studies staff in this comprehensive video from our most recent webinar. You will learn about the curriculum, details about the grant program, the admissions process, transferring credits to BSU and more. 

 

BSU Special Education program


BSU’s Special Education Department prepares its students to provide a meaningful, positive impact on the lives of populations that are often overlooked. The department students for careers as teachers of individuals with moderate to severe special needs, preparing them to have a meaningful, positive impact on the lives of often overlooked populations. 

Drawing on BSU’s long history of producing exemplary teachers, our faculty members work to help Special Education teacher candidates learn current, evidence-based practices and develop the skills required to succeed in this rewarding and in-demand field. Our licensure programs are recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and CAEP/CEC (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the Council for Exceptional Children) and have been acknowledged as exemplary by Teachers.org (2016), while the department was ranked one of the 10 best colleges for Special Education 2017-2018 by Schools.com.


Special Education Degree Programs


Special Education, Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8 or Grades 5-12) concentration, BSE

Special Education, Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (All Levels) concentration, BSE


A double major is no longer required for those enrolled in the Moderate PreK-8 and Severe All Levels programs. A double major is still required for Moderate 5-12.  

Students in this program will be required to complete fieldwork and student teaching during
day hours. T
he student-teaching practicum is an in-person face-to-face experience in a public school setting. 
See BSU Catalog for requirements. 
 

Program requirements
 

Prior to the student being admitted to the BSE in Special Education, the student must:

  • Complete an appropriate developmental psychology course or SPED 208
  • have taken SPED 202 Introduction to Special Education with a B- 
  • have passed the Communication and Literacy MTEL®

Prior to the student practicum experience (student teaching), students must:

Complete all Licensure Courses in Special Education 

have passed the General Curriculum and Math subtest MTEL®  

have passed the Foundations of Reading MTEL®

Note: Students in the Severe All Levels program will complete only the General Curriculum and Math subtest MTEL®   

Participants in the program may be able to complete an Employment-Based Practicum, which consists of 8 weeks instead of 16 weeks.

Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program requirements

 

  • Earn up to $6,000 per year in grants toward your bachelor’s degree
  • Available for full or part-time students
  • Individuals must be working as a paraprofessional in a Mass public school
  • Individuals must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Individuals must work as a public teacher in Massachusetts for two to four years
  • Individuals must be a Massachusetts resident