University of Massachusetts Boston Transition Leadership Program

The UMass Boston Transition Specialist Training leads to either:

1. A Master of Special Education (MEd) with a Concentration in Transition Leadership
2. A Graduate Certificate in Special Education with a Concentration in Transition Leadership

The MEd in Special Education with a Concentration in Transition Leadership is a transdisciplinary mix of 5 online courses from special education and vocational rehabilitation, and 5 online secondary transition-related courses. All the courses have built-in applied learning assignments and students must complete a 1-semester practicum placement (3 credits) for a total of 33 credits.

The Graduate Certificate in Special Education with a Concentration in Transition Leadership is appropriate for students who already have a master’s degree and a preliminary special education license or vocational rehabilitation certificate. The certificate program involves taking 5 online secondary transition courses with built-in applied learning assignments. Students must also complete a 1-semester practicum placement (3 credits) for a total of 18 credits.

In the first semester in the certificate track, you will take Transition Topics and Youth Development & Self Determination. In the second semester, you will enroll in Career Development & Competitive Employment and Postsecondary Education for Students with Disabilities. In the summer semester, you will take Transition Leadership. The final course offered in the fall is the Transition Leadership Practicum.

Students in the master’s track will take the same courses in this sequence. After completing the first semester of the program, you will meet with you academic advisor to select additional interdisciplinary courses from Education, Counseling, and Vocational Rehabilitation.

Graduates of the program, whether you are in the master’s track or Graduate Certificate track, will be eligible to apply for the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division on Career Development and Transition’s national certification. Candidates in Massachusetts will be eligible for the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Transition Specialist endorsement.

Learn more about the national certification.

Learn more about the MA state endorsement.

For applicants outside of Massachusetts, we cannot confirm that the courses or program meets the licensure or certification requirements of the state where you reside. Please contact the Department of Education for your state to determine whether the course or program meets the state licensure or certification requirements.

As a graduate of the Transition Leadership program, you’ll have demonstrated a thorough understanding of (a) the foundations and implementation of transition education and transition services, (b) individual transition assessment and system evaluation, (c) transition systems and supports, and (d) effective collaboration.

The UMass Boston Transition Leadership program is framed around the transition specialist competencies of the Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) Transition Specialist competencies. It also reflects the competencies of the MA DESE Transition Specialist guidelines. Graduates will have the training to:

• conduct person-centered planning
• develop student Individual Education Programs (IEPs) that align with their postsecondary goals
• lead transition assessments
• facilitate effective transition services
• coordinate opportunities for inclusive postsecondary education and career development education
• conduct transition services surveys to identify gaps
• establish and maintain an interagency transition team to make data-driven decisions regarding enhanced transition services and supports

Graduates of the Transition Leadership program can expect to hone your skills and find employment opportunities in a variety of settings, such as middle and high school public and private school settings, vocational rehabilitation offices, and youth workforce centers. The certificate also provides advanced training for professionals in careers such as special education, social work, guidance counseling, mental health counseling, and occupational therapy.

The Transition Leadership program is a fully online course of study using UMass Boston’s learning management system, Canvas.

To apply, you must hold a bachelor’s degree in special education, school counseling, vocational rehabilitation counseling, or a related field. You should also have a background in working with youth with disabilities between the ages of 14–22.

Applicants interested in earning the Transition Specialist endorsement in Massachusetts must have initial licensure in their field: special education, school social worker, school counselor, or vocational rehabilitation counselor.

To complete program assignments, you will need to have access to students aged 14–17 and 18–22 with a range of disabilities in a public or private school setting. You must also have access to a school system and a variety of professional transition-related staff to complete a system assessment of practices related to transition and career development. You may complete many of the field-based assignments while working in your own school. You will also need consistent access to a computer and stable internet connection to use Canvas and other applications that facilitate synchronous and asynchronous meetings (e.g., Zoom).

This depends on which track you are enrolled in (master’s or certificate), your progress in the program, and the number of courses you take per semester, including summer semester. Many students in the certificate track complete the program in 1.5 years of part-time study. Students in the master’s track can complete the program in 2 years of part-time study.

Students in the certificate track typically take 2 courses in their first semester, 2 courses in the second semester, and 1 course in each of the remaining two semesters of the program.

Students on a master’s track typically take 2 courses for the first two semesters, and then 2–3 courses for the remaining three semesters of the program. There is one summer course, which like all the other courses, is 14 weeks long (end of May through August).

You can continue working full-time while you are enrolled in the program. This course of study requires approximately 4–7 hours each week to complete coursework and assignments. This program also requires pre-practicum and practicum field hours that you may complete during your work hours.

In your first semester, you can take no more than two courses. After your first semester, you should meet with your faculty advisor and discuss the appropriate number of courses to take in each remaining semester. Most students in the certificate track take 2 courses per semester for the first two semesters, and then 1 course in each of the remaining two semesters. Students in the master’s track can take from 1–3 courses each semester, depending on the semester and courses chosen.

This course of study requires approximately 4–7 hours each week to complete work and assignments for each 14-week course taken.

Yes. One course, SPE G 658 Transition Leadership, is only offered as a 14-week online course during the summer. While we understand summer is a popular time for travel, you are responsible for making sure you have a consistent internet connection and enough time to complete coursework and assignments (4–7 hours per week) throughout this 13-week course. This course helps students prepare for the fall practicum.

Yes. During the practicum semester, you will be assigned a university-based field supervisor who will provide guidance on your work. You are required to meet with your field supervisor for a minimum of 3 times during the practicum semester.

Yes, students in the Transition Leadership certificate program may complete the practicum within your own school.

Yes. Program staff will assist students who are not currently employed in a setting where you have access to transition-age students (ages 14–21). Please advise program staff as early as possible to avoid delays in required activities.

Yes, you may enroll in one or two courses as a guest student before formally applying. If admitted, the credits earned can be applied toward your program requirements. This is a great way to experience the program while earning credits.

Yes, guest students pay the same tuition rate as enrolled students, which is a special rate of $1,725 per course.

Once you are accepted into the Transition Leadership program, your advisor will provide instructions on registration.

Yes. UMass Boston offers technical support for all students accessing the online learning management system, Blackboard. Additionally, instructors will be available to provide some assistance.

The deadline to apply to the program is June 15. UMass Boston makes acceptance decisions by the last Friday in July for the fall semester start.

According to University regulations, you can transfer a maximum of two courses (six semester credits) that you took elsewhere, as long as they are comparable to the courses in our program, and have not been counted toward another degree. If you have taken courses at another institution before you were accepted into our program, you may discuss the transfer with your advisor.

You must notify your advisor so they can complete the “Transfer Credit Approval” form. You can transfer in a maximum of two courses (six semester credits) that you took before being officially admitted into the program. You must have earned a grade of “B” or higher in the courses you transfer.

After the Graduate Program Director approves and submits the signed form to the Registrar’s office, it takes the Registrar’s office a few weeks to process. You can log into your WISER account and check if the credits have been transferred. If you have any questions, contact the Registrar’s office directly.

If you plan to take courses at another institution, you must receive your UMass Boston advisor’s approval prior to registering for off-campus courses. All transferred courses must have a grade of B or better.

Upon successful completion of the courses, you need to provide your advisor with a sealed, official transcript so they can complete the “Graduate Transfer Credit Form.” After the Graduate Program Director approves, all the documents will be forwarded to the Registrar’s office. It takes the Registrar’s office a few weeks to process. It is your responsibility to log into your WISER account and check if the credits have been transferred. If you have any questions, contact the Registrar’s office.

The Transition Leadership program has some foundation funds to offer matriculated students during their first year when they are enrolled in two courses. In addition, you are encouraged to contact the UMass Boston office on Admission & Financial Aid for information on available options.