Severe Disabilities PreK-12 Initial Licensure
Bay Path University's program in Severe Disabilities (all levels) is designed to prepare professionals in the field of developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorders for Massachusetts Initial Licensure. The concentration in severe disabilities emphasizes modifications for the general education curriculum, applied academics, alternative assessments, transition and vocational strategies, and school and community inclusion. Threaded throughout the program are themes of diversity, community and family collaboration, and technology.
This program includes a yearlong practicum and is for students seeking Massachusetts Initial Licensure in Severe Disabilities (All Levels).
All classes are offered 100% online.
Curriculum
Curriculum information can be found in our online graduate course catalog.
The Special Education Non-Licensure concentration also requires 36 credit hours but does not require a practicum or internship experience.
Professional Licensure and Certification
Bay Path offers a number of campus-based education programs approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for teacher certification as leading to an initial teacher license in Massachusetts. In addition to meeting all degree requirements, students seeking certification must meet all testing requirements for their specific certification area as required by DESE. Students will not be recommended for certification until all program requirements are met.
Students interested in teaching outside of Massachusetts must successfully complete the campus-based program and achieve initial teacher certification in Massachusetts. The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) interstate agreement facilitates the mobility of educators among the states and other jurisdictions that are members of NASDTEC and have signed the agreement.
Although there may be state-specific conditions applicable to individual jurisdictions, the agreement makes it possible for an educator who completed an approved program and/or who holds a certificate or license in one jurisdiction to earn a certificate or license in another state or jurisdiction provided they meet state-specific conditions. Bay Path provides support for students who earn their Massachusetts teaching license and wish to transfer that license to teach in another state.
Please note that Bay Path also offers online post-licensure Master of Science in Education and Education Specialist (MSEd, EdS) programs for currently licensed individuals who are interested in furthering their professional development and enhancing their credentials. However, since state requirements for adding endorsements vary greatly, Bay Path does not guarantee that the completion of those programs will result in rank and/or salary endorsements and strongly encourages interested individuals to contact their state licensure board.
