The Master of Arts in Special Education program at Assumption College primarily prepares students for a career as teacher of students with mild to moderate disabilities. The competency-based program is founded upon the principles of effective instruction and the philosophy of inclusive education. The courses that comprise the program emphasize connections among theory, research and practice to build students’ awareness of how to maximize the development of each child in a variety of settings. Accordingly, students in the program develop a repertoire of instructional, diagnostic, consultative, and collaborative skills and strategies critical to the role. They also develop an understanding of the full continuum of services available to individuals with exceptionalities. For students who seek initial or professional teacher licensure, a field-based practicum complements their progress through the program, providing the means by which they establish their competence as teachers of students with mild to moderate disabilities.