Partnership with the Massachusetts Organization of Educational Collaboratives (MOEC)

The partnership between Bridgewater State University and the collaboratives of MOEC offers participants the opportunity to join graduate cohorts leading to both a master’s degree and initial licensure in one of the following areas:

• Moderate Disabilities (PreK–8 or 5–12)
• Severe Disabilities (All Levels)

Program Details:

• Format: 100% online coursework
• Tuition: $900 per 3-credit graduate course for the duration of the cohort
• Start Date: Fall 2025
• Anticipated Completion: End of Fall 2027 semester

Participants who successfully meet all program requirements will earn a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree and a Massachusetts DESE Initial License in their selected area of specialization.
 

Staff from the following Educational Collaboratives are eligible:
ACCEPT Education Collaborative
Assabet Valley Collaborative
Bi-County Collaborative (BICO)
Cape Cod Collaborative
CAPS Collaborative
CASE Collaborative
Central Massachusetts Collaborative
Collaborative for Educational Services (CES)
Crest Collaborative
Keystone Educational Collaborative
LABBB Collaborative
Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative
North River Collaborative
Northshore Education Consortium
Pilgrim Area Collaborative (PAC)
READS Collaborative
SEEM Collaborative
Shore Educational Collaborative
South Coast Educational Collaborative
South Shore Educational Collaborative
Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC)
Southern Worcester County Educational Collaborative
TEC – The Education Cooperative
Valley Collaborative

Projected Course Sequence for Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8 or 5-12)
Fall 2025–Fall 2027 (Includes M.Ed. and Licensure Requirements)

Projected Course Sequence for Severe Disabilities (All Levels)
Fall 2025–Fall 2027(Includes M.Ed. and Licensure Requirements)

Important Program Notes

1. Prerequisites for Licensure Courses
   All licensure courses require completion of the following prerequisite courses (or their approved equivalents from another institution or undergraduate studies):
   • SPED 510: Exceptional Children in Schools
   • SPED 509: Teaching Reading to Students with Disabilities
     These are required by licensure regulations and must be completed before beginning the core licensure coursework.
2. Practicum Flexibility
   • The practicum experience may be reduced by 8 weeks based on the candidate’s relevant work experience.
   • If the candidate already holds an initial teaching license in another category, the practicum may be replaced with a mentored internship.

Graduate Admissions - gradadmissions@bridgew.edu or 508-531-1300
Graduate Chair - Dr. Ashley Rodrigues

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

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

MEd in Special Education - Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (All Levels) Initial Licensure

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

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