Severe Special Needs Licensure Major
Education, B.A.
Licensure: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The licensure program in Severe Special Needs (All levels) consists of a liberal studies major combined with appropriate education courses. Students are required to take the Bay Path University core, a liberal studies core, and an education core satisfying requirements for licensure. This program has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Students earn an initial teaching license in Severe Special Needs, all levels, issued by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Severe Special Needs license qualifies for reciprocity with states that participate in the Interstate Agreement and endorse similar licensure. This allows Bay Path University education graduates to teach in states other than Massachusetts, pending meeting specific requirements of the state.
The Severe Special Needs program is fully approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for Initial licensure. The Education programs at Bay Path University prepare students to be teachers and leaders in the public schools and/or the private preschool sector. The goals of the Education program are to ensure that our graduates are of excellent academic caliber and become exemplary teachers. The Education programs have a strong liberal arts base as their foundation. This foundation provides the student with in-depth knowledge of the academic disciplines necessary for successful teaching. Education students are given ample opportunity to participate in classrooms as part of teacher training. Public schools within the city of Springfield and surrounding communities, private preschools and childcare centers, all support and enrich the Education programs.
Degree requirements for the Severe Special Needs Licensure major are as follows:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Core | ||
| Behavioral/Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| BUS 204 | Financial Wellness | 1 |
| ENG 114 | Critical Reading and Response | 3 |
| ENG 124 | Research and Writing in the Disciplines | 3 |
| ENG 134 | Literary Genres | 3 |
| Humanities Electives | 6 | |
| MAT 161 | Numbers and Operations | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology I | 3 |
| PSY 205 | Child Development | 3 |
| Science Electives (lab required) | 7 | |
| WEL 100 | Empowered as Learners and Leaders | 3 |
| or WEL 220 | Empowered as Learners and Leaders | |
| WEL 350 | Strategies for Career and Personal Growth | 2 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| EDU 250 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| EDU 300 | Reading and Early Literacy | 3 |
| EDU 323 | Reading and Language Arts for Elementary School | 3 |
| EDU 348 | Reading and Language for English Language Learners | 3 |
| EDU 441S | Severe Special Needs (All Levels) | 1 |
| EDU 490 | Pre-Practicum Seminar | 1 |
| EDU 495 | Practicum Seminar | 1 |
| EDU 496 | Practicum: Severe Disabilities (All Levels) | 12 |
| ENG 210 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| HIS 114 | The United States to 1877 | 3 |
| HIS 115 | The United States Since 1877 | 3 |
| HIS 202 | Global History to 1500 | 3 |
| MAT 162 | Functions and Algebra | 3 |
| MAT 163 | Geometry and Statistics | 3 |
| SPE 510 | Managing Challenging Behaviors | 3 |
| SPE 515 | Foundations for Promoting Inclusive Schools | 3 |
| SPE 531 | Teaching and Assessing Students with Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| General Electives | ||
| General Electives | 26 | |
| Total Credits Required | 120 | |