Partnership with the Fall River Public Schools

The partnership between Bridgewater State University and the Fall River Public Schools offers participants the opportunity to join graduate cohorts in one of the following areas:

• M.Ed. Moderate Disabilities (PreK–8 or 5–12)
• M.A.T. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
• Autism Spectrum Endorsement (MA DESE)

Program Details:

• Format: 100% online coursework
• Tuition: $1000 per 3-credit graduate course for the duration of the cohort
• Start Date: Fall 2025

Participants who successfully meet all program requirements (Special Education Moderate Disabilities and TESOL) will earn a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree and a Massachusetts DESE Initial License in their selected area of specialization. Participants in the Autism Endorsement Certificate will be receive an Autism Spectrum Endorsement added to their pre-existing license. 

Projected Course Sequence for Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8 or 5-12)
Fall 2025-Fall 2028 (Includes M.Ed. and Licensure Requirements)

Projected Course Sequence for TESOL (Initial License)
Fall 2025-Spring 2028 (Includes M.Ed. and Licensure Requirements)

Projected Course Sequence for Autism Spectrum Endorsement (Graduate Certificate)
Fall 2025-Fall 2026

Graduate Admissions - gradadmissions@bridgew.edu or 508-531-1300
 

MEd in Special Education - Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8 or 5-12) Initial License

Graduate Chair - Dr. Ashley Rodrigues

Application Deadlines

Rolling admission for Fall, Spring and Summer enrollment.
Applications that are not completed prior to the start of the semester will need to be moved to the next applicable semester

Admissions Requirements

• Online application and $50 application fee
• Resume
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.8
• A qualifying score on the Communication and Literacy Skills (both Reading and Writing subtests) Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure® (MTEL)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Massachusetts Education Personal ID (MEPID)
• Personal statement

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), TESOL, Initial License

Graduate Chair - Dr. Emily Spitzman

Application Deadlines

Rolling admission for Fall, Spring and Summer enrollment.
Applications that are not completed prior to the start of the semester will need to be moved to the next applicable semester

Admissions Requirements

• Online application and $50 application fee
• Resume
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
• Three appropriate letters of recommendation
• Massachusetts Education Personal ID (MEPID)
• Personal statement

Autism Spectrum Endorsement

Graduate Chair - Dr. Ashley Rodrigues

Application Deadlines

Rolling admission for Fall, Spring and Summer enrollment.
​​​​​​​Applications that are not completed prior to the start of the semester will need to be moved to the next applicable semester

Admissions Requirements

• Online application and $50 application fee
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
• Existing initial or professional license in one of the below areas and a minimum of 3 credits in special education. Qualifications for endorsement by the DESE requires a pre-existing license from which the transition specialist endorsement may be added.
  • Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities
  • Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities
  • Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
  • Teacher of the Visually Impaired
• Massachusetts Education Personal ID (MEPID)

BSU is finalizing course details for the fall semester and will share them as they become available. 

If you haven't formally applied to BSU, you will move forward as non-degree student while planning to the be accepted for the Spring 2026 semester. We will host sessions on how to apply to BSU during the fall semester and notify folks when these sessions have been determined.

In the meantime, to join cohort classes this fall, please complete the Graduate Non-Degree application found here

Once you have your BEAR ID, please reach out directly to Darren Macdonald at d3macdonald@bridgew.edu