Skip to main content
  • About
  • Library
  • News
  • Events
  • Directory
Apply Give
WSU Logo against a transparent background
  • Academics
      Solving real-world challenges.
      Academics
    • Program Finder
    • Schools & Departments
    • Provost’s Office
    • Continuing Education
    • Graduate School
    • Additional Learning Opportunities
    • MajorPlus
    • Academic Resources
    • Centers & Institutes
    • Research
    • Academic Convocation
    • Grants Office
  • Admissions & Aid
      Innovative real world solutions.
      Admissions & Aid
    • Apply to Worcester State
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • International Applicants
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Visit
    • Request Information
    • En español
  • Campus Life
      Discover #WooLife
      Campus Life
    • Athletics
    • Bookstore
    • Commuter Services
    • Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging
    • Housing & Dining
    • Information Technology
    • Leadership Opportunities
    • Clubs & Organizations
    • Student Involvement
    • Student Services
    • Sustainability
    • Title IX
    • University Events
    • University Police
    • Discover Worcester
  • Community Impact
      Make an impact in the community.
      Community Impact
    • Global Outreach
    • Local Resources
    • Business Opportunities
    • Binienda Center for Civic Engagement
    • Urban Action Institute
    • Latino Education Institute
    • Speech-Language-Hearing Center
    • Worcester Art Museum Partnership
    • Worcester Center for Crafts
  • Alumni & Giving
      How will you take the lead?
      Alumni & Giving
    • Alumni News
    • Giving to Worcester State
    • Scholarships
    • Meet Our Donors
    • Alumni Events
    • Worcester State Magazine
    • Request a Transcript
    • Get Involved
  • Commencement
  • Academic Calendar
  • OneCard
  • Registrar
  • Bookstore
  • Housing
  • Tuition
  • Financial Aid
  • Transcript
  • FAFSA
  • Counseling Services
  • Academics
      Solving real-world challenges.
      Academics
    • Program Finder
    • Schools & Departments
    • Provost’s Office
    • Continuing Education
    • Graduate School
    • Additional Learning Opportunities
    • MajorPlus
    • Academic Resources
    • Centers & Institutes
    • Research
    • Academic Convocation
    • Grants Office
  • Admissions & Aid
      Innovative real world solutions.
      Admissions & Aid
    • Apply to Worcester State
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • International Applicants
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Visit
    • Request Information
    • En español
  • Campus Life
      Discover #WooLife
      Campus Life
    • Athletics
    • Bookstore
    • Commuter Services
    • Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging
    • Housing & Dining
    • Information Technology
    • Leadership Opportunities
    • Clubs & Organizations
    • Student Involvement
    • Student Services
    • Sustainability
    • Title IX
    • University Events
    • University Police
    • Discover Worcester
  • Community Impact
      Make an impact in the community.
      Community Impact
    • Global Outreach
    • Local Resources
    • Business Opportunities
    • Binienda Center for Civic Engagement
    • Urban Action Institute
    • Latino Education Institute
    • Speech-Language-Hearing Center
    • Worcester Art Museum Partnership
    • Worcester Center for Crafts
  • Alumni & Giving
      How will you take the lead?
      Alumni & Giving
    • Alumni News
    • Giving to Worcester State
    • Scholarships
    • Meet Our Donors
    • Alumni Events
    • Worcester State Magazine
    • Request a Transcript
    • Get Involved
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni & Friends
  • En español
  • Academics
    • Program Finder
    • Schools & Departments
    • Provost’s Office
    • Continuing Education
    • Graduate School
    • Additional Learning Opportunities
    • MajorPlus
    • Academic Resources
    • Centers & Institutes
    • Research
    • Academic Convocation
    • Grants Office
  • Admissions & Aid
    • Apply to Worcester State
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • International Applicants
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Visit
    • Request Information
    • En español
  • Campus Life
    • Athletics
    • Bookstore
    • Commuter Services
    • Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging
    • Housing & Dining
    • Information Technology
    • Leadership Opportunities
    • Clubs & Organizations
    • Student Involvement
    • Student Services
    • Sustainability
    • Title IX
    • University Events
    • University Police
    • Discover Worcester
  • Community Impact
    • Global Outreach
    • Local Resources
    • Business Opportunities
    • Binienda Center for Civic Engagement
    • Urban Action Institute
    • Latino Education Institute
    • Speech-Language-Hearing Center
    • Worcester Art Museum Partnership
    • Worcester Center for Crafts
  • Alumni & Giving
    • Alumni News
    • Giving to Worcester State
    • Scholarships
    • Meet Our Donors
    • Alumni Events
    • Worcester State Magazine
    • Request a Transcript
    • Get Involved
  • About
  • Library
  • News
  • Events
  • Directory
  • MyWooState
    • Blackboard
    • Gmail
    • Self-Service
Apply Give
WSU Logo against a transparent background WSU Logo in white text against a transparent background
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate...

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for Initial Teacher Licensure — Moderate Disabilities


IN THIS SECTION
  • Education (4+ Initial License)
    • 4+ Initial License in English as a Second Language
  • Education — Moderate Disabilities (Non-Licensure)
    • Master of Education — Moderate Disabilities (Non-Licensure)
  • Educational Leadership and Administration (Online)
    • Online Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Administration
  • Early Childhood Education
    • Early Childhood Education Major
  • Early Childhood Education (Online)
    • Online Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
  • Early Education and Care
    • Early Education and Care Program
  • Education
    • Education Studies Major
    • Education Studies Minor
    • Master of Education
  • Education — Moderate Disabilities
    • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for Initial Teacher Licensure — Moderate Disabilities
    • Master of Education — Moderate Disabilities
  • Education — Moderate Disabilities (Online)
    • Online Master of Education — Moderate Disabilities
  • Education — Reading
    • Master of Education — Reading
  • Education in English as a Second Language
    • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for Initial Teacher Licensure in English as a Second Language (Pre-K-6 and 5-12)
    • Master of Education in English as a Second Language
  • Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction
    • Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction
  • Education Specialist in School Psychology
    • Education Specialist in School Psychology
    • Education Specialist in Secondary Education
      • Education Specialist in Secondary Education
    • Elementary Education
      • Elementary Education Major
    • Elementary Education (Online)
      • Online Master of Education in Elementary Education
    • Master of Education in Secondary Education
      • Master of Education in Secondary Education
    • Middle School Education
      • 4+ Initial License in Middle School Education
      • Middle School Education Minor
      • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for Initial Teacher License in Middle or Secondary Education
      • 4+ Initial License and MEd in Middle School Education
    • Reading Specialist
      • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate for Initial Teacher License for Reading Specialist
    • School Leadership and Administration
      • Master of Education in School Leadership and Administration
    • Secondary School Education
      • 4+ Initial License in Secondary School Education
      • Secondary School Education Minor
        • 4+ Initial License and M.Ed. in Secondary School Education

      Start your teaching career.

      The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate for Initial Teacher Licensure in Moderate Disabilities program at Worcester State University provides you with the knowledge and practical experience to obtain your initial teacher license in Massachusetts.

      The program is offered in an accelerated format, allowing you to complete your coursework in just 3–4 semesters—and throughout your studies, you will receive personalized guidance and support from your faculty advisor, who will help you to achieve your academic and career goals.

      In classes taught by experienced professors, you will learn effective techniques for teaching individuals with moderate disabilities. You will then translate theory into practice through a hands-on, full-semester practicum in an inclusion classroom or alternative program in one of the region’s school districts.

      Worcester State’s post-baccalaureate certificate program prepares you for a rewarding career in special education in public and private school settings. Most of our graduates continue their studies toward professional teacher licensure, and you can easily transfer 12 credits earned through this program to Worcester State’s Master of Education in Moderate Disabilities program.

      View the Catalog

      Program of Study

      This program leading to an initial licensure in moderate disabilities (P-8 or 5-12), is a 21-credit, non-degree program. It consists of 18 credits of course work and a full-time, 3-credit practicum or practicum equivalent. The program is designed so that candidates may complete it in a 12–18 month period while working in a school setting.

      The courses are:

      • ED-921 Developmental Patterns of Children with Special Needs
      • ED-923 Development and Implementation of an Individualized Education Program
      • ED-922 Analysis and Interpretation of Behavior and Learning Environments
      • ED-924 Strategies for Assessing and Teaching Students with Moderate Disabilities
      • ED-909 RETELL: Best Practices for English Language Learners
      • ED-926 Curriculum Development and Instructional Techniques (Seminar)
      • ED-928 Practicum for the Moderate Disabilities Teacher

      Candidates begin by taking ED-921 Developmental Patterns of Children with Special Needs as a pre-requisite before taking the other courses. This course establishes central principles of the program, which include high standards for all students based on issues pertaining to special education federal and state laws, categories of disabilities, celebration of diversity, and family involvement, with an emphasis on inclusion and collaboration.

      Students must complete ED-923 Development and Implementation of an Individualized Education Program, ED-922 Analysis and Interpretation of Behavior and Learning Environments, and ED-924 Strategies for Assessing and Teaching Students with Moderate Disabilities prior to doing the practicum and seminar. Extensive pre-practicum experiences are built into these courses, as students work individually or in groups with children with and without disabilities in regular and/or special education settings. Emphasis is placed on techniques to teach reading, language arts, and mathematics, as well as techniques for including students with special needs in general education settings. In the final phase of the initial licensure program, candidates take ED-926 Curriculum Development and Instructional Techniques and complete a full-semester practicum experience, ED-928 Practicum for the Moderate Disabilities Teacher, that meets guidelines outlined in the Massachusetts Department of Education licensure regulations.

      At the end of this sequence of experiences, students are evaluated orally and in writing using an instrument designed by college and clinical supervisors. They must demonstrate proficiency in the competencies listed in MA 603 CMR 7.06 26 (d) 1-6 [Subject Matter Knowledge Requirements for Teachers of Students with Moderate Disabilities] as well as the Professional Standards for Teachers outlined in MA 603 CMR 7.08 (2)].

      Admissions Requirements

      In addition to the Worcester State graduate school’s general admission requirements, candidates for this program must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.7. Candidates for this program also must pass 3 MTELs.

      For candidates who are seeking licensure P-8, they must pass Communication and Literacy, Foundations of Reading, and General Curriculum—multi-subject test and mathematics sub-test.

      For candidates who are seeking licensure 5-12, they must pass Communication and Literacy, Foundations of Reading, and General Curriculum—multi-subject test and mathematics sub-test or subject matter test.

      Explore sample courses in the Moderate Disabilities program

      ED-921 Developmental Patterns of Children With Special Needs

      The course focuses on the study of the child/adolescent with special needs including characteristics, psychological, educational, and sociological impact of developmental differences. Includes educational terminology for students with mild/moderate disabilities.
      3 credits

      ED-923 Development and Implementation of an Individualized Education Plan

      The course considers federal and state laws regulating the development and implementation of individualized educational programs: prereferral, assessment, eligibility, developing goals and objectives, program delivery, and measuring progress. Pre-practicum required.
      3 credits

      ED-922 Analysis and Interpretation of the Behavior and Learning Environment of Children

      The course addresses evaluation procedures used to assess academic, cognitive, affective, and behavioral functioning of the child and adolescent. Formal and informal techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of instruction are examined. Behavior management plans and assistive technologies are included. Pre-practicum hours required.
      3 credits

      ED-924 Strategies for Teaching and Assessing Students with Moderate Special Needs

      The course focuses on the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks, reading, writing, and mathematics, strategies for students with disabilities to access the general curriculum, and alternate assessment procedures. Pre-practicum required.
      3 credits

      ED-909 RETELL: Best Practices for English Language Learners

      The course addresses research-based institutional and assessment strategies for English language learners. 25 hours of pre-practicum experience working with culturally diverse learners required.
      3 credits

      ED-926 Seminar Curriculum Development and Instructional Techniques

      The course addresses principles of curriculum development and the use of instructional techniques for special needs students.
      3 credits

      ED-928 Practicum for the Moderate Special Needs Teacher

      A practicum in which the student demonstrates competencies in the delivery of direct services: assessment procedures, educational planning, classroom management, curriculum development, and in-service education.
      3 credits

      Take the next step towards a degree in Moderate Disabilities

      Apply
      Request Information
      Visit
      WSU Logo in white text against a transparent background
      WSU Logo in white text against a transparent background
      486 Chandler St,
      Worcester, MA 01602
      508-929-8000
      Quicklinks
      • Academics
      • Admissions & Aid
      • Campus Life
      • Community Impact
      • Alumni & Giving
      • En español: Admisiones y Ayuda
      Helpful Links
      • Bookstore
      • Careers
      • Directions
      • University Police
      • Administrative Offices
      • Campus Map
      • Transcript Requests
      Connect with us on Social Media
      CONTACT US
      Copyright © 2025 Worcester State University
      • Student Consumer Information
      • Campus Accessibility
      • Privacy Policy
      • Public Records Requests