The Educational Specialist program at Bay Path University is designed to prepare competent and effective leaders who will model high academic standards and assume leadership roles in the field of education. Courses provide specialized preparation for individuals seeking employment in PreK-12 settings or university-level school positions.

An Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S.) is designed for educators seeking a post-master’s degree program that emphasizes both professional practice and scholarship. The program requires a minimum of 39 credits (including SPE 540 Research in Education as a required course) beyond a master’s degree for moderate, severe, and non-licensure programs. Each program of study is individually designed in consultation with a program coordinator and can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Most classes are held on a Friday evening- Saturday weekend model with some courses being held on a Sunday, weeknight, or week-long option with varying formats to include on-ground, online and hybrid.

Program Requirements

The Ed.S: Moderate Disabilities Levels PreK-8, Ed.S: Moderate Disabilities Levels 5-12, and Ed.S: Severe Disabilities PreK-12 concentrations each require the completion of 39 credits hours and a practicum or internship experience to meet degree requirements.  The Ed.S: Special Education Non-Licensure concentration also requires 39 credit hours but does not require a practicum or internship experience.

The Ed.S: Moderate Disabilities Levels 5-12/Autism Endorsement and Ed.S: Moderate Disabilities Levels PreK-8/Autism Endorsement concentrations each require the completion of 51 credit hours and a practicum or internship experience to meet degree requirements.  The Ed.S: Severe Disabilities Levels PreK-12/Autism Endorsement concentration require the completion of 48 credit hours and a practicum or internship experience to meet degree requirements.  Students who complete one of these three concentrations will also earn a certificate in Autism Endorsement and be endorsed for the Massachusetts Autism Endorsement along with their initial teaching license.

The Ed.S: Moderate Disabilities Levels 5-12/Autism Spectrum Disorders and Ed.S: Moderate Disabilities Levels PreK-8/Autism Spectrum Disorders concentrations each require the completion of 48 credit hours and a practicum or internship experience to meet degree requirements.  The Ed.S: Severe Disabilities Levels PreK-12/Autism Spectrum Disorders concentration require the completion of 45 credit hours and a practicum or internship experience to meet degree requirements.  Students who complete one of these three concentrations will also earn a certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The Ed.S: Moderate Disabilities Levels PreK-8/Language and Literacy, Ed.S: Moderate Disabilities Levels 5-12/Language and Literacy, and Ed.S: Severe Disabilities PreK-12/Language and Literacy concentrations all require the completion of 42 credit hours and a practicum or internship experience to meet degree requirements.  Students who complete one of these three concentrations will also earn a certificate in Language and Literacy.

The Professional Licensure option Ed.S: Moderate Disabilities Levels PreK-8, Ed.S: Moderate Disabilities Levels 5-12, and Ed.S: Severe Disabilities PreK-12 concentrations each require the completion of 39 credits hours. The professional licensure Ed.S:  option does not require a practicum or internship experience.

Additional Program Information

Title II of the Higher Education Act

Title II (Section 207 of the Higher Education Act) requires that institutions with teacher preparation programs that enroll students receiving federal financial assistance prepare annual reports on teacher preparation and licensing. The full report is distributed with admissions materials and is also available upon request.

Bay Path Pass Rates on the Massachusetts Tests of Educator Licensure (MTEL), 2023-2024

Pass rates are based on the 2023-2024 cohort of students who completed their licensure requirements during that year. These students are designated as program completers:

• Number of Program Completers = 72
• Pass Rate on the MTEL = 100%

Students must select one of the following concentrations:

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Ed.S program with an Education track are expected to demonstrate achievement in all areas of the program. Specifically, graduates will be able to:

• Prepare students to meet the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Professional Standards for Teachers Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment standard.
• Prepare students to meet the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Professional Standards for Teachers Teaching All Students standard.
• Prepare students to meet the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Professional Standards for Teachers Professional Culture standard.
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills through in-class assignments and presentations, to be applied in the teaching-learning process.