Student Teaching
In preparation for licensure, special education students complete a minimum of 300 hours of teaching in at least two different educational environments. Students work directly with children with disabilities under the supervision of an experienced and licensed educator, who provides valuable feedback on their progress.
Gateway Assessments in the Field
Any student in licensure courses will engage in any of seven different “Gateway Assessment” Projects as embedded elements of selected courses. Gateway Assessments require 15-30 hours in the field under the observation of licensed special education teachers.
Internships
Every year, more than 400 Bridgewater students take part in internships, giving them the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice and gain invaluable work experience early in their careers. Special education students taking SPED 498 work alongside experienced special needs professionals to develop essential skills that will prove invaluable after graduation.
Learn more about Bridgewater’s internship program.
Best Buddies
Best Buddies is an international organization that promotes diversity and inclusion for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities with friendships. Students participating in the BSU Chapter of Best Buddies, the largest club on campus, pairs buddies with disabilities and peer buddies (many SPED majors) to form meaningful friendships while participating in campus activities.
BSU Special Olympics
Special Olympics is a student organization on campus and led by students with and without intellectual disabilities. Members of Special Olympics gain experiences participating in Unified Sports and hosting Special Olympics events, thus creating opportunities for meaningful inclusion of people with and without intellectual disabilities in the campus community. The club provided unified soccer in the fall and basketball in the spring. This club is inspired by a simple principle: training, playing, and competing together is a quick path to friendship, understanding and meaningful inclusion.
EXCEL Program
The EXCEL Program at Bridgewater State University (BSU) is a fully-inclusive postsecondary program for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Students in the EXCEL program share the same experiences as their college peers in the areas of academics, socialization, professional development, and independent living. Many SPED majors are peer mentors or education coaches to students in the EXCEL Program.
Children's Physical Developmental Clinic (CPDC)
For more than 45 years, Bridgewater State University has sponsored the Children's Physical Developmental Clinic (CPDC), a nationally recognized academic program that fosters professional development, service learning, and leadership development. The CPDC affords students from all majors a challenging opportunity to volunteer as clinicians and work with children and youth with disabilities, ages 18 months to 18 years.
Student Education Association of Massachusetts (SEAM)
One of ten active chapters in the state, BSU SEAM provides future teachers with opportunities for professional development, community outreach and political action and advocacy, as well as a forum for professional networking before graduation.