Education

Graduate - Education Programs

Master of Education with Initial Teacher License Preparation
Anna Maria's Master of Education program is for adults with a baccalaureate degree, who want to become licensed teachers and teachers who want to earn their Professional Teacher License. Anna Maria College offers four Master Degree programs that will qualify graduates for the Initial Teacher License in Early Childhood: Pre-K-2, Elementary 1-6, Visual Arts Pre-K-8 and 5-12, and Reading Specialist.

> View the Requirements to Earn a Master

To earn a master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Visual Arts, or English Language Arts, students must complete a combined total of 13 courses that include requirements for Initial Teacher License Preparation and core courses required to complete the Master Degree.

Required courses for teacher licensure preparation include:

One course in human development (child or adolescent depending on license)
One course in special needs
Methods courses for each subject area (to include field placement)
Initial License Teaching Practicum
Initial License Teaching Seminar

Professional Teacher License - Master of Education, English Language Arts
Anna Maria College's Master of Education, English Language Arts degree fulfills the requirements for the Professional Teacher License in Early Childhood Pre-K-2 and Elementary 1-6. Students must complete an ELA curriculum concentration of four courses required for the license, five core courses to include assessment and research in ELA, and three electives.

> See the list of Curriculum concentration courses

Curriculum concentration courses include:

Literature Based Language Arts
Language Acquisition and Early Literacy
Reading in the Content Areas
Theory and Research in Reading
Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties
Writing in the Elementary Classroom
Sign Language and ELL in the Heterogeneous Classroom

Students may add additional requirements to include Literature for Young Adults, a practicum, and seminar to qualify for the Initial Teacher License as a Reading Specialist.

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies Program
Students may pursue a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in English Language Arts after earning a Master's Degree. The CAGS is a course of focused study consisting of at least eight upper level graduate courses. The plan of study is based on students' previous academic record, professional goals, and academic interest.

Course of Study
The M. Ed. or CAGS Licensure Programs consist of a minimum of 36 credits, which include coursework to meet the Subject Matter Knowledge and Professional Standards for Teachers for Initial licensure plus a teaching practicum.

This program of study was designed to incorporate existing courses at Anna Maria College and includes additional courses that are designed to deepen students understanding of the Subject Matter Knowledge and Professional Standards for Teachers outlined in the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regulations for licensure in Moderate Disabilities Pre-K-8 and 5-12.

> View Course of Study Requirements

Course of Study Requirements:

All candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree prior to entering the program M.Ed. program OR a Master's Degree entering the CAGS program
Depending on the area of their degree, students may be required to take pre-requisite courses.

Moderate Disabilities Program
The Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities Program is designed for a wide range of professionals with undergraduate degrees, who have a desire to work with students with moderate special needs. Participants may include recent college graduates, educators with a license in another field, and professionals seeking a career change.
Read more about this program...

The program offers a path to Initial Licensure as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities, as well as an opportunity for educators to earn a Master's degree or earn a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Special Education (non-licensure). The program of study focuses on developing skills necessary for working with children with mild to moderate disabilities in inclusive, resource, or substantially separate public and private school classrooms at either the Pre-K -8 or 5-12 grade levels.

The above information is a summary of the paths that students can take to achieve licensure as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities Pre-K-8 or 5-12. For additional information related to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts teacher licensure, contact the Office of Licensure at (781) 338-6600 or www.doe.mass.edu.

Program Options

Option 1: Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Pre-K-8 or 5-12) Initial Licensure Program

Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Pre-K-8 or 5-12)

Candidates for Initial Licensure for Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Pre-K-8 or 5-12) are required to pass the Pre-K-8 and Five to Twelve MTEL tests (shown below).

Pre-K-8

Communication and Literacy Skills
Foundations of Reading or Reading Specialist subject matter test
General Curriculum including two separately scoreable subtests:
1. Subtest I Language Arts, History & Social Studies, and Science & Technology/Engineering and
2. Subtest II Mathematics

Five to Twelve

Communication and Literacy Skills
Foundations of Reading or Reading Specialist subject matter test
General Curriculum, including two separately scoreable subtests:
1. Subtest I Language Arts, History & Social Studies, and Science & Technology/Engineering and
2. Subtest II Mathematics; OR a subject matter test in one of the following academic subjects: English, mathematics, science (biology, chemistry, earth science, general science, and physics), history, or political science/political philosophy at the 5-8 or 8-12 grade level.

Practicum Requirements
Teachers of Students with Moderate Disabilities PreK-8 must complete a 300 hour practicum in an inclusive general education setting or 75 hours in an inclusive general education setting and 225 hours in a separate or substantially separate setting for students with moderate disabilities; for 5-12, 150 hours in an inclusive general education classroom or 75 hours in an inclusive general education classroom and 75 hours in a separate or substantially separate setting for students with moderate disabilities.

See also:License Option for a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Pre-K-8 or 5-12)

License Option for a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Pre-K-8 or 5-12)

Licensed educators may earn an additional license in a new field and level, specifically Teacher of students with Moderate Disabilities.

Passing the appropriate MTEL tests
A competency review
150 hour practicum/equivalent or internship of 150 hours, in an appropriate classroom, in the role of the license sought
Educators must possess an Initial license in another field at the same level. The individual plan of study will be determined based on transcript review.
Candidates should have evidence of passing the Pre-K-8 and Five to Twelve MTEL tests (shown below).

MTEL Tests

Pre-K-8

Communication and Literacy Skills (not applicable to those who earned Initial prior to 1998)
Foundations of Reading or Reading Specialist Subject Matter Test
General Curriculum, including two separately scoreable subtests:

1. Subtest I Language Arts, History &Social Studies, and Science & Technology/Engineering and
2. Subtest II Mathematics

Five to Twelve

Foundations of Reading or Reading Specialist subject matter test
General Curriculum including two separately scoreable subtests:
1. Subtest I Language Arts, History &Social Studies, and Science & Technology/Engineering and 2. Subtest II Mathematics; OR a subject matter test in one of the core academic subjects taught in 5-8 or 8-12 for which the Massachusetts Department of Education issues licenses.

Option 2: Master or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) leading to initial Licensure

Master of Education with Initial Teacher License Preparation
Anna Maria's Master of Education program is for adults with a baccalaureate degree, who want to become licensed teachers and teachers who want to earn their Professional Teacher License. Anna Maria College offers four Master Degree programs that will qualify graduates for the Initial Teacher License in Early Childhood: Pre-K-2, Elementary 1-6, Visual Arts Pre-K-8 and 5-12, and Reading Specialist.

Requirements to Earn a Master
To earn a master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Visual Arts, or English Language Arts, students must complete a combined total of 13 courses that include requirements for Initial Teacher License Preparation and core courses required to complete the Master Degree.

Required courses for teacher licensure preparation include:

One course in human development (child or adolescent depending on license)
One course in special needs
Methods courses for each subject area (to include field placement)
Initial License Teaching Practicum
Initial License Teaching Seminar

Option 3: Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study with a concentration in Special Education (non-licensure)

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) with a concentration in Special Education
The CAGS program is for professionals with a master's degree who have a desire to expand their knowledge and skills in the area of Special Education. The CAGS in Special Education consists of a least 10 courses and will be designed based on the student's prior coursework, experience, and area of interest. Coursework includes EDU 638 Educational Research and Evaluation and EDU 639 Research and Evaluation Project in Special Needs.

Course Requirements

Course requirements must cover the following list of subject matter knowledge competencies (any course may be waived and replaced with appropriate coursework based on transcript review).

> See list of Subject Matter Knowledge Competencies

Educational terminology for students with mild to moderate disabilities
Preparation, implementation, and evaluation of Individualized Education Programs
Design or modification of curriculum, instructional materials, and general education classroom environments for students with moderate disabilities
Federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to special education
Knowledge of services provided by other agencies
Ways to prepare and maintain students with disabilities for general education classrooms, such as the use of behavioral management principles

- See all information pertaining to Competency Review

Competency Review Subject Matter Knowledge
Competency review subject matter knowledge competencies may be satisfied through completion of coursework, seminars, workshops, or experience. When completing these activities toward satisfying coverage of subject matter knowledge competencies, at least 10 hours of professional development specific to and completely covering each subject matter knowledge competency are required. Allowing educators to satisfy 'coverage of' a requirement with 10 hours of professional development is consistent with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's policy for special education teachers in their HOUSSE plan to become Highly Qualified through No Child Left Behind. Information regarding HOUSSE can be found by visiting www.doe.mass.edu.

Competency Review Guidelines permits equating:

One semester hour of undergraduate college credit = 15 hours of professional development
One semester hour of graduate college credit = 22.5 hours of professional development
One PDP = one hour of professional development
One hour of instruction = one hour of professional development
One CEU = 10 hours of professional development

Documenting Compliance with Competency Review Requirements
Below are the requirements for documenting compliance with competency review requirements. Note: demonstrated competency in subject matter knowledge may waive a course requirement. Only graduate level coursework that meets subject matter knowledge competency may be transferred in to the M.Ed. or CAGS program of study. Up to 6 graduate credits may be transferred as long as they meet program requirements.

Coursework for college/university credit
1. In order for a completed coursework to be considered for determining if it may be applicable toward satisfying coverage of a competency(ies) identified within a Competency Review, an official transcript verifying successful completion of that coursework must be submitted to the AMC Licensure Office for review and consideration.
2. Clarity in determining if coursework may be applicable toward satisfying coverage of a competency(ies) identified within a Competency Review may be aided by submitting an official catalog course description. Further clarity may be gained by submitting a letter verifying the number of hours of instruction delivered in a specific course addressing a particular competency. A course may be used to satisfy more than one competency. The letter should be on official college/university letterhead and be signed by the appropriate department head or certification officer.
Seminar or Workshop
1. In order for a completed seminar or workshop to be considered for determining if it may be applicable toward satisfying coverage of a competency(ies) identified within a Competency Review, a copy of the certificate(s) of completion should be submitted to the AMC Licensure Office for review and consideration. Certificates of completion should verify the sponsoring agency, seminar/workshop title, and the number of PDPs, CEUs, earned or hours of instruction delivered.
2. Clarity in determining if a seminar or workshop may be applicable toward satisfying coverage of a competency(ies) identified within a Competency Review may be aided by submitting a copy of the official seminar or workshop description. Further clarity may be gained by submitting a letter verifying the number of PDPs, CEUs, earned or hours of instruction delivered in a specific seminar or workshop toward addressing a particular competency. These letters should be on official letterhead and be signed by the professional development provider.
Experience
1. In order for experience to be considered toward satisfying coverage of a competency(ies) identified within a Competency Review, a letter must be submitted to the AMC Licensure Office attesting to the rol and dates of the applicant's experience.
2. The letter should explain in detail how each competency was gained and verify how coverage of each competency was demonstrated. If the experience offered in a school or district then this letter must be on official school letterhead and be signed by the superintendent or head administrator and the appropriate director. If the experience occurred in another setting then this letter must be on official letterhead and be signed by the appropriate administrator.

Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Pass Rates for Previous Cohorts: 2008-2009

For More Information
For more information about Anna Maria College's graduate programs in Education, including course details and admission requirements, please contact:

Graduate Studies and Continuing Education Admissions
gradadmissions@annamaria.edu
(508) 849-3423