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Professional Development |
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| Teaching |
"SED prepared me for a lifelong career as an applied researcher, special education teacher, and administrator. In 1988, I started my own educational software and publishing company. My SED training in special education, curriculum and neurophysiology was a tremendous asset."
— Dr. Joseph Lockavitch, President, Failure Free Reading
Concord, NC
SED'77, Ed.D. |
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"My degree from Boston University has opened many doors for me. It opened my eyes to the field of special education, and the various field work placements that I did during my undergrad years solidified my desire to teach in the field and gain experience with students with various disabilities in a multitude of grade levels."
— Kyung-chee Yoon, Special Education Teacher, Cambridge Public Schools
Cambridge, MA
SED'04, BS, Intensive Special Education |
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"The SED Master's Program in Special Education prepared me extremely well. When I interviewed for initial employment as a special education teacher, I was very knowledgeable and prepared to be a first year teacher. I was offered teaching positions in Massachusetts, Maryland, and Virginia. I have taught in Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia, and Howard County Public Schools, Maryland. I am currently a special education administrator, Special Education Instructional Specialist, Elementary, for Prince George's County Public Schools, Maryland. I currently work with eleven elementary schools, where enrollment varies for 350 to 700 students. When I was a special education resource teacher, I was successful with all of my students. All of my students who were nonreaders became readers after I taught them and made good progress and/or mastered their IEP goals and objectives.
"While at SED, I took coursework to be certified as general educator and a special educator. I had great and caring professors who inspired and challenged me to make a difference in each child I taught. As a master's student, this was crucial, especially as such a large university. I had great student teaching experiences in Chelsea Public Schools (2nd grade) and Brookline Public Schools (special education). My student teaching experiences were very realistic, and I had true feel of being an educator, even though I was still a student."
— Tameka Hinton, Special Education Instructional Specialist, Elementary
Prince George's County Public Schools, MD
SED'97, Ed.M. |
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Special Education
Degrees Offered:
Ed.M. in Special Education
CAGS in Special Education
Ed.D. in Special Education |
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The Special Education Program at Boston University provides opportunities for students to prepare for a variety of careers working with and supporting the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families, in positions as teachers, residential care support, administrators and, through a dual degree program with the School of Social Work, as counselors.
Students in the Special Education graduate program learn how to teach and support individuals withdisabilities in school and community settings. Graduates bring the knowledge and skills they gain at BU to careers in (a) teaching and administration in public and private schools; (b) teaching and research in colleges and universities; and (c) vocational, recreational, and social work services through community agencies. At the graduate level, students can earn a Master of Education degree (EdM), Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS), or Doctor of Education degree (EdD).
Ed.M. in Special Education
The minimum requirement for an approved master’s degree program in Special Education is 36 credits. Students take a core of required courses to earn the master's degree. Beyond these students take specified courses required for each specialization or they develop an individualized program in consultation with an assigned Special Education advisor.
The core courses are as follows:
| SED SE 706 |
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Introduction to Special Education |
| SED SE 760 |
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Cognitive, Learning, and Behavior |
| SED LS 560 |
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Language Acquisition: Introduction |
| SED SE 751 |
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Assessment in Special Education: Procedures |
| SED RS 600 |
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Perspectives of Inquiry |
Course descriptions
Specializations for master's degree study within the Special Education program are listed below. Those marked with an asterisk can result in recommendation to the State of Massachusetts for initial or professional licensure.
- Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Pre-kindergarten through grade 8)*
- Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Pre-kindergarten through grade 8) combined with Elementary Education (Grades 1-6)*
- Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Grades 5 through 12)*
- Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (Ages 3 through 21) *
- Disabilities Studies
- Disability Studies and Social Work (Dual Degree Program with the School of Social Work)
- Special Education Administration*
CAGS in Special Education
The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) is designed for students who have completed a master's degree and wish to pursue future specialized study in the area of Special Education. CAGS programs are individually designed by students in collaboration with faculty advisors and include a minimum of 32 credits of coursework and a comprehensive examination.
Students pursue study through courses and independent studies with faculty within the Special Education program, throughout the School of Education, and throughout Boston University in related schools and colleges. Among these are the College of Arts and Sciences, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, the School of Management, the School of Law, and the School of Social Work.
Ed.D. in Special Education
At the doctoral level, students develop a coherent and integrated program of study in collaboration with their faculty advisors in specialization areas such as teaching and learning among students with mild/moderate or severe disabilities, social justice, or they may focus on policies affecting and administration of programs for students with disabilities. An additional option is that of the combination of social work and special education through a multifaceted course of study that leads to a master's degree in Social Work and a doctoral degree in Special Education. Doctoral degree program graduates often pursue careers as teachers and scholars in colleges or universities, as program directors in schools or government agencies, or as community or organization leaders.
The doctoral program includes a minimum of 48 credits of study including fieldwork; research courses and a core of School of Education and Special Education program required courses with faculty within the Special Education program, throughout the School of Education, and throughout Boston University in related schools and colleges. Among these are the College of Arts and Sciences, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, the School of Management, the School of Law, and the School of Social Work, Additionally, doctoral students must complete a comprehensive examination and a doctoral dissertation for a minimum of 12 credits.
 Download a description of this program
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