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Education

Special Education: Individually Designed Program

Master of Education (M.Ed.): Non-Licensure

Gain targeted skills for teaching students with disabilities.

You have specific career goals. We work with you to construct a program that helps you meet them. In this flexible, advanced-level program in moderate or severe disabilities, you can design an area of study that best suits your personal, intellectual, and career growth.

REGISTER: M.Ed. in Education Virtual Information Session

You’ll start with a seminar in special education, in which you can explore your area of interest and future direction. Then, working with an advisor, you’ll choose five courses in a concentration, such as in English as a Second Language, technology, autism, early childhood, curriculum development, assessment, or literacy, and five related elective courses from across the university. A research or field-based project lets you put new skills to practical use.

At Lesley, we prepare teachers who are lifelong advocates for their students. We believe in the competence of every individual, and equal access to quality education. Here, you’ll learn to express those principles in your teaching. You'll work together with faculty to co-construct knowledge, and engage in the kind of self-reflection that leads to greater cultural and social justice awareness.

Upon completion, you’ll graduate from New England's premier university for teacher preparation knowing you have the degree you need to land the career you're passionate about. That's because employers in Massachusetts prefer to hire Lesley graduates, saying that they are best prepared to enter the classroom on day one

Graduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

33 Credits
  • Required Course 3 Credits
    • Required seminar in special education
  • Concentration Courses 15 Credits
    • Concentration courses chosen from topics within special education, as well as bilingual/ESL; technology and assistive technology; autism spectrum disorder; learning disabilities; early childhood; curriculum development, assessment, and literacy; and more
  • Elective Courses 15 Credits
    • Elective courses chosen from areas across the university
  • Approximate Time to Complete
    • Times include summer semesters.

      Part-time example: 3-6 credits/semester for 6 semesters. Complete in 2 years.

      Full-time example: 6-9 credits/semester for 4 semesters. Complete in under 1.5 years.
  • Advising
    • During your program, you'll be part of an advising team. Your academic advisor will provide guidance on a broad range of topics, including university policies, course selection, registration procedures, and any state testing requirements. Your faculty advisor will provide professional mentorship.
View Program of Study

Events

Thursday, Nov 21 12:00 pm
Understanding Graduate Financial Aid
Saturday, Nov 23 10:00 am
Fall Open House
View all events
Graduate Education Programs
98%

5-year average employment rate for education graduates 2016-2020.

Andy Mellen studied Special Education: Severe Disabilities at Lesley University.

Andy Mellen ’17

As an adaptive learning center teacher, Andy goes above and beyond to ensure students with diverse learning needs can succeed in a general education setting.
Read more about Andy Mellen
Teacher and students in the classroom, reading a book on the floor

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children playing cards and learning from their teacher

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Think about your classroom. Now picture your students. Chances are that one out of every five has been bullied. As an educator, what can you do about it?
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News

Avatars give student teachers real-time training

Lesley pilots virtual reality technology to prepare novice instructors for the classroom
Read more about Avatars give student teachers real-time training

The Double Lynx Scholarship pays big.

Every student who earns an undergraduate degree from Lesley is eligible to receive 12 graduate credits toward any master's degree we offer, 100% free. That's potentially over $16,200.
Read all about it.
male teacher in front of the classroom

Beau Morimando ’13

Middle school teacher and fitness competitor Beau brings perseverance, determination, and grit to his seventh grade classroom.
Read more about Beau Morimando
Alumni Satisfaction
Ranked #20

by alumni

According to a survey published in Forbes, Lesley ranks #20 nationwide for providing a high-quality education that is worth the cost.
View the survey results.
Gain Skills and Expertise
Our moderate and severe disabilities programs prepare you to:
  • Apply content knowledge and teaching practices in diverse educational settings.
  • Design curriculum, lesson plans, and activities to meet the needs of all learners.
  • Be aware of education services, laws and policies, and their implications for learning.
  • Use communication strategies and assistive technology to enhance communication and
    monitor language development.
  • Conduct assessments of learning, behavior, and environment
$86,755
Average salary for teachers in Massachusetts (2021-2022), according to the National Education Association.
#1
Superintendents and other hiring managers across Massachusetts prefer to hire Lesley graduates, reporting that they are best prepared to enter the classroom on day one. (Source: Radius Global Market Research)
Top Schools
Massachusetts ranks as the best state to be a teacher, with some of the highest performing schools and best salaries in the country, according to US News.
Barbara Govendo
Special Education
Barbara Govendo
Barbara has had experience teaching, supervising, designing programs and teaching educators in both general and special education. She is interested in brain research and implications for education, effective learning strategies for students with disabilities, executive function, differentiated instruction practices, development of inspiring mentoring skills, and the collaborative educational process.
john dickson
Special Education
John Dickson ’97
An Individually Designed M.Ed. program graduate, John is a high school civics and government teacher. He won an American Civic Education Teacher Award for his “exceptional expertise, dynamism, and creativity in motivating students to learn about the Constitution, Congress, and public policy.” In his classes, he teaches what he calls the “habits of citizenship."
The degree employers are looking for.
Lesley graduates go on to rewarding careers in public and private schools, charter schools, and beyond. That's because our programs are ranked #1 for preparing teachers with the skills Massachusetts employers are seeking, including:
  • Putting theory into practice with an emphasis on instruction and assessment.
  • Reflecting on lesson effectiveness and sharing best practices to improve student learning. 
  • Applying innovative, progressive, cutting-edge approaches. 
  • Using varied practices to help each student meet or exceed state and local standards.
  • Recognizing technology as an integral component of the teaching and learning process.
  • Radius Global Market Research 2017.
Graduate Inclusive Special Education Programs
Master's Degrees with Initial License or Non-Licensure

 

Master's Degrees with Dual Initial Licensure
Initial License Only: Non-Degree
Certificate

Faculty

Linda Lengyel
Linda Lengyel
Associate Professor
Gail Cahill
Gail Cahill
Associate Professor, Program Director
Beverley Evans
Associate Professor
Linda Lengyel

Linda Lengyel

Associate Professor

Linda teaches in the inclusive special education programs in the Graduate School of Education. Her work has focused on supporting persons with complex needs, considered to have severe disabilities in inclusive environments. Before entering higher education, she supported persons with severe disabilities and their families in school, work, employment, and home settings. Linda also has an extensive history of advocacy activities, supporting IEP teams, as well as advocating for systemic and policy changes. Previous to coming to Lesley, Linda was a faculty member in higher education for over 15 years.

Read Full Bio
Education,
Selected Publications
Gail Cahill

Gail Cahill

Associate Professor, Program Director

Gail Cahill teaches in the Inclusive Special Education programs in the Graduate School of Education. She also serves as a senior advisor to PhD students in several programs. Gail joined the Lesley community after many years in the public education sector. She has taught at various grade levels as well as held several administrative positions, including special education administration and school-based administration. She has also worked at private facilities such as McLean Hospital and the Guild School.

Throughout her career, Gail has been an adjunct instructor in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She has taught courses in special education, administration, reading, assessment, and curriculum. She has served on the International Council of Exceptional Children, CEC Elections Standing Committee. 

Read Full Bio
Education,
Selected Publications,
Selected Presentations

Beverley Evans

Associate Professor

Beverley Cush Evans teaches in the special education programs in the Graduate School of Education. She has worked with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder for over 30 years, and has been a consultant for the Pennsylvania State Department of Education for Inclusive Education. She has served in higher education for 18 years, first at Duquesne University and most recently at Lesley University. Prior to her entrance into higher education she worked in both segregated and inclusive settings as a special education teacher for 14 years.

In 2021, The Run Around, created by youth designers in partnership with Beverley, iThrive Games, and Transition HOPE’s Janelle Ridley, won a gold medal in the category of Educational Tabletop Games at Serious Play Conference’s 2021 Serious Play Awards. The game authentically communicates the emotional, mental, and spiritual bondage the juvenile justice system creates.

Read Full Bio
Education,
Selected Publications
Total approximate cost for this master's degree program. Tuition and fees are for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Special Education: Individually Designed Program
  • Tuition
    $875/credit x 33
    $28,875
  • Fees
    MAP ePortfolio Fee
    $200
    Degree Completion Fee
    $825
  • Total
Estimated Cost

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of financial aid are also available. Review all graduate tuition and fees, and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

Apply Now

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.

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View Full Program Cost
Your degree is an investment, and we're committed to ensuring its value. That's why we offer the best teacher education in Massachusetts at competitive tuition rates.
Financial Aid
We'll help ensure your degree is as affordable as possible. Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.

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29 Everett St, Cambridge, MA 02138
617.868.9600