Elementary Education

Karen Worth, Chair and Instructor
Linda Banks-Santilli, Associate Professor
Joeritta de Almeida, Assistant Professor
Elaine Kohen, Instructor
Judith Richards, Instructor
Deborah Samuels-Peretz, Assistant Professor
William Thompson, Associate Professor
Jeff Winokur, Instructor

Special Education

Felicity Crawford, Chair and Assistant Professor
John Crapps, Professor
Kathleen McDonough, Instructor
Shoshanna Starr Collins, Instructor
Stephanie Cox Suarez, Associate Professor

Available Programs of Study:

• Master of Science in Integrated Elementary and Special Education
• Master of Science in Educational Studies
• Educational Studies: Peace Corps Masters International
• Advanced Professional Course Cluster in Special Education

MS/Integrated Elementary and Special Education/38-47 credits

The Master of Science in Integrated Elementary and Special Education (IESE) program combines content and performance assessments from two nationally recognized programs in Elementary and Special Education to assure the preparation of educators to work effectively in inclusive setting in public or private schools as an Elementary teacher or a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities. Graduates of the IESE program are eligible for initial licensure from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as Elementary Teacher (1-6) license, and as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8). *The Integrated Elementary and Special Education program incorporates essential elements required of a teacher prepared to meet the needs of all learners. The content areas of mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts are incorporated in the study of curriculum development, assessment, meeting curriculum standards, and differentiating the curriculum for learners working at, above, and below grade level. Teachers acquire the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to provide effective special education services which includes understanding the impact of disabilities on learning, assessing children to determine their learning strengths and areas of need, collaborating with the family and team to promote a positive learning environment, and creating adaptations to enable the child to access the general curriculum.

This program is designed to prepare both experienced teachers who currently hold a license to teach as well as those new to the field of teaching and education.

Students complete the program full-time or part time. Full-time students complete the program in 14-18 months, starting in the summer semester. Students may begin their course work on a part-time basis but must enroll full-time during the semesters in which the internship is completed. Part-time students typically complete the program in 2 years or longer. Students follow a sequence of courses and participate in the paid teaching internship with courses meeting in the evening, weekend, and summers. Candidates may also elect to complete their internship in their own inclusive or special needs classroom but this site must be approved by the Field Experience Office as meeting Wheelock requirements for a placement site.

Upon entering the program, students meet with an advisor to develop a study plan. Preference for admission is given to applicants with prior experience working with children and families, preferably in a group setting. A prerequisite for admission is completion of a major in the Arts and Sciences or its equivalent.

Requirements***

Graduate Orientation 0 credits

Core Courses

Human Development (choose one) 3 credits

HDF 501	Lifespan Development I or
HDF 521	Cognitive Development or
HDF 702	Language, Literacy and Culture-Advanced

Multicultural: 3 credits

EDU 505	Racial and cultural Identities or
EDU 506	Racial and cultural Identities-Advanced

Research (choose one) 3 credits

RES 723	Practitioner as Researcher or
RES 725	Research Methods

Program courses 38 credits

RDG 537	Teaching Reading	3 credits
SPE 542	Impact of Special Education	3 credits
SPE 652	Inclusive Education Curriculum or	3 credits
SPE 654	Advanced Inclusive Curriculum	3 credits
EDU 535	Mathematical Learning for Diverse Learners or	3 credits
SPE 635	Number Sense for Learners Who Struggle-Advanced	3 credits
SPE 710	Assistive Technology	1 credit
SPE 656	Special Education Assessment	3 credits
EDU 546	Teaching and Learning History and Social Studies	3 credits
SPE 650	Understanding Reading Difficulties	2 credits
SPE 560	Understanding & Managing Behavior	2 credits
EDU 545	Elementary Science	3 credits
SPE 685	Democracy and Education	2 credits
RDG 531	Teaching Reading & Writing to ELLs	1 credit

Internship**

SPP 640	Practicum: Students with Special Needs	3 credits
EDP 536	Elementary Practicum	3 credits
SPE 645/646	Instructional Methods	2 credits

Portfolio

EDU 682

Portfolio Development Integrated Elementary and Special Education

1 credit

* Licensure: Students select either Elementary Teacher (1-6) or Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK- 8) for institutional endorsement and they are eligible to apply for a second license upon receipt of the first.

** Students are required to take the Communication and Literacy Test of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) before the start of their internship.

*** Some courses are waived or substituted based on previous licensure and experience; these are reviewed by the faculty advisor.

Advanced Professional Course Cluster in Special Education/12 credits

This 12-credit course cluster in special education develops expertise for beginning or experienced practitioners in teaching children with exceptional learning needs in diverse settings. For teachers who already hold a master’s degree and an initial teaching license, this group of courses is designed to be used to move an initial license in early childhood education, elementary education, or ESL to the professional level. Course substitutions at a more advanced level are made only with prior written permission of the Associate Dean of Education.

Requirements

SPE 542	Impact of Special Needs on Development and Learning	3 credits
SPE 654	Advanced Inclusive Curriculum	3 credit
SPE 656	Special Education Assessment	3 credit
SPE 560	Understanding and Managing Behavior	2 credit
SPE 710	Assistive Technology	1 credit

MS/Educational Studies/30 Credits

This program is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a master’s degree in education, but are not interested in obtaining initial state licensure as a teacher. Students work with an academic advisor to develop a program of study that meets the student’s academic and professional goals. The program includes 17 credits of elective courses which allow the student to select from a number of courses, including one of the 3 advanced professional course cluster, the parenting education certificate program, the organizational leadership certificate program, or a combination of courses from different areas of study offered at Wheelock.

Requirements

Core Courses 13 credits

Human Development Selective	3 credits
Multicultural Selective	3 credits
Research Selective	3 credits

EDU 505	Racial and Cultural Identities	3 credits
EDU 704	Capstone: Educational Studies	1 credit

Elective Courses: 17 credits

Students work with an advisor to select courses in Elementary Education, Special Education, Language and Literacy, Early Childhood Education, Child and Family Studies, Social Work and/or Organizational Leadership.

Peace Corps Masters International/30 Credits

Wheelock College is proud to partner with the Peace Corps to offer the Master’s International (MI) Program at Wheelock. This program gives passionate, idealistic students who are interested in the Peace Corps the opportunity to get a Master of Science in Educational Studies degree from Wheelock College while also fulfilling their commitment to international service. This 30-credit master’s program begins with one year of courses completed on the Wheelock campus. Courses include human development, multiculturalism, research, and a 12-credit elective area of focus. The elective area of focus helps students design a flexible and creative field study project that is sustainable and meets requirements of their local host country. Courses can be taken from a variety of programs such as: Reading or ESL, Integrated Elementary and Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Child Life, Social Work or Organizational Leadership.

Upon completion of a majority of their coursework, students will enroll in 8 credits of field study during their two years of Peace Corps service (4 credits per year of service). These 8 credits are at no cost to the MI student. Peace Corps service is an integral part of the academic program, as it will be the focus of students’ required field study project.

The 12-credit focus for electives will be dependent on the student’s own interests and what they would like to learn, research, and reflect upon while abroad. Examples of Peace Corps field study projects which are co-developed with host country colleagues could include a women’s literacy program, a youth sports program, a girls’ reading club, or working with children with special needs. The 12-credit focus for electives could also be applied to one of the professional clusters (special education, teaching reading, ESL) for a student who already holds an initial teaching license and wants to advance this to the professional level.

The PC MI Program concludes with a 1-credit capstone course at Wheelock upon the student’s return. In this course, students compile their portfolio and present it to the Wheelock and Peace Corps community.