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Special Education Major and Minor

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Moderate Disabilities (Pre-K - Grade 8)

Student in class representing the Special Education degree at Curry CollegeStudents interested in working as a special educator in public school settings with children Pre-Kindergarten (integrated preschools) through Grade 8 can pursue a Special Education degree. The Special Education major prepares students to teach all subject areas to children in inclusive settings as well as substantially separate classrooms. In accordance with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), this career path also requires completion of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).

The Special Education minor is beneficial both to Education majors and to students in majors and minors outside of the Education program. This includes students pursuing professions in psychology, sociology, art therapy, nursing and more.

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  • 5th Year M.Ed. – Apply to our Dual Degree program and graduate with both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just 5 years.
  • Literacy Playgroup – Participate in a Literacy Playgroup with the Milton Early Childhood Alliance.
  • Volunteer Program – Jump into the classroom early with this selective program placing high-achieving students in local schools 1-2 days a week.
  • Professional Conferences - Attend and/or present at area conferences.
  • Pi Lambda Theta (Education Honor Society)
  • Curry Cares – Community Service Club
  • Education Club

The Path to Your Dream Career

Just a few of the many career options include:

  • Camp/Recreation Director
  • Child Care Administrator
  • Early Childhood Educator Grades PreK-2
  • Early Intervention-Developmental Specialist
  • Elementary Teacher Grades 1-6
  • Infant or Toddler Teacher
  • Paraprofessional
  • Preschool Educator
  • Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities - Grades PreK-8
  • Youth and Family Advocate

Our Alumni in the Field

Our alumni are leading the way at:

  • Boston Public Schools
  • Braintree Public Schools
  • Bright Horizons Family Solutions
  • Canton Public Schools
  • Gilson JCC Early Learning Center
  • Needham Public Schools
  • Plymouth Public Schools
  • Quincy Public Schools
  • RCS Behavioral and Education Services
  • South Bay Early Intervention
  • St. Alban’s Child Enrichment Center
  • Taunton Public Schools
  • The SPARK Center
  • Various charter schools

The following courses are required for Special Education majors pursuing the Applied Behavior Analysis track:

Prerequisite Coursework:

AE 1300 Competencies for the Prospective Educator 1.5
PSY 1400 Child Development 3
ED 2161 Educational Psychology 3


Core Requirements:

SPE 2600 Introduction to Special Education 3
ED 2420 School, Family and Community 3
ED 2412 Strategies for the Effective Educator 3
MATH 2550 Number Theory and Relationships
for Teachers		 3
ENG 1180 Introduction to Literature 3
P&H 1010 U.S. History I 3
ED 2700 Early Childhood Language Arts and Literacy
Development		 3
SPE 3105 Institute on Learning Differences 2
ED 2355 Children’s Literature: A Gateway to the World 3
ED 3700 The Teaching of Reading 3
ED 3701 Field Observation and Participation 1
ED 3190 Classroom Assessment 3
ED 3350 Specialized Instruction for Students with
Special Needs		 3
ED 3197 Pre-Practicum I: Elementary 1
ED 3150 Classroom Management 3
ED 3415 Assessment for Special Educators 3
SPE 3417 Writing IEP 1.5
ED 3416 Assistive Technology 1.5
ED 3455 Pre-Practicum II: Special Education 2
ED 3190L Assessment Lab: Reading 1
ED 3750 Sheltered English Immersion 3
ED 3985 Integrating Senior Seminar 3
ED 4563 Senior Practicum: Special Education 9
ED 4563SM Senior Practicum Seminar 0

Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)
Title II, Section 207 of the Higher Education Act requires all institutions with teacher preparation programs that enroll students who receive federal financial assistance to prepare annual reports on teacher preparation and licensing.

Note: Curry College had a 100% pass rate for all program completers during the 2021-2022 reporting year.

Information about Curry pass rates is available upon request by contacting the Licensure Officer/Title II Coordinator, (617) 333-2196.

The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure are administered Monday-Saturday at designated test centers in Massachusetts and in many states each academic year. Additional information regarding all state testing is available through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education,  Office of Educator Licensure, 75 Pleasant Street Malden, MA 02148-9140; Telephone: (781) 338-6600; www.mtel.nesinc.com. For additional information about Curry College's testing requirements, please contact Curry College Licensure Officer at 617-333-2196.

Related:

Olivia Smelstor ’24

Meet Olivia Smelstor ’24 - ABA Track

Olivia Smelstor ’24 started babysitting as soon as she was old enough. The Bellingham, Massachusetts, native was known in her hometown as a dependable caretaker who was good with children. But when Smelstor met a neighbor with two boys on the autism spectrum, she discovered that her ability to bond with kids was more special than she realized.

Meet Olivia

Explore Related Programs:

A Curry College Management Forum student poses for a photo

Milton Early Childhood Alliance

Each spring semester, the Curry College education department collaborates with the Milton Early Childhood Alliance (MECA) to lead an early literacy playgroup for preschool-age children (2-4) and their parents.

MECA Partnership
Curry College students receive their Education Honor Society certificate

Education Honor Society

Pi Lambda Theta extends membership to students and professionals who satisfy academic eligibility requirements and have demonstrated characteristics of scholarship, leadership and service.

Education Honor Society
A Curry College Education Club student member poses for a photo

Education Club

The Education Club provides professional development opportunities to students showing interest in the field of education and seeks to involve children and families from neighboring areas in education-related activities.

Education Club
Curry College Education students participate in a STEM education workshop at the Boston Museum of Science.

STEM Teaching Workshop

Each fall semester, Education majors have the unique opportunity to participate in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education workshop at the Boston Museum of Science.

Learn More
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Study Abroad

Along with institutional partnerships, you can create your own Study Abroad opportunity, or go global with our own faculty members as part of our Short-term, Faculty-led Courses.

Study Abroad
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First-Year Experience

Making the transition to college can be a little confusing and lot of fun. Your First-Year Experience at Curry College helps smooth out the bumps and puts you on the path to success.

First-Year Experience
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Gen Ed

At the heart of Curry College's undergraduate curriculum is our General Education (Gen Ed) Program. Gen Ed is based on our belief in the power and potential of the liberal arts.

General Education

Life-Changing Opportunities Await

Start with a foundation in the liberal arts. Add attentive faculty and countless opportunities to learn by doing. That’s what you’ll get with a bachelor’s degree from Curry. Learn what’s waiting for you today.

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