Professional Services

Want help or have questions?
Email us at MACenterTA@umb.edu to request training or technical assistance for your school, team, or program.

Access Individualized Training & Technical Assistance (Online or In-Person)

Our team provides online and on-site training and technical assistance for department staff, professional development days, and extended support.

• We tailor our training to the needs of your department.
• We can pair training with specialized assessments to determine areas of improvement.
• We are available to speak with local Special Education Parent Advisory Councils (SEPACs) about transition practices and postsecondary education options.

Become a Certified Transition Leader

The Transition Leadership Program is an 18-credit, 6-course, fully online program offered through the University of Massachusetts Boston. Graduates are eligible for:

• The Massachusetts Transition Specialist Endorsement (through the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)
• The National Certification in Transition (offered by the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division on Career Development and Transition)

Ready to advance your career in transition services? Apply now through UMass Boston Graduate Admissions, or contact us to learn more.

Learn the Foundations of College-Based Transition Services

Massachusetts is a leader in college-based transition services. We offer online learning courses designed for:

• college program coordinators
• special education and transition staff
• educational coaches and mentors

These courses offer foundational training for staff involved in the Massachusetts Inclusive Postsecondary Education initiative.

Assess & Improve Your Transition Services

We can support your department or school to conduct a comprehensive transition services assessment or complete the evaluation on your behalf. We help identify strengths and areas for improvement and offer resources to address any needed improvements.

We use evidence-based assessment tools and enhance our evaluation with:

• focus groups
• staff interviews
• document reviews

Create Strong, Student-Centered Plans

We provide both training and facilitation for person-centered planning, helping teams develop meaningful and individualized transition strategies.

Connect with Peer Professionals

We understand the value of peer-to-peer learning. Our team facilitates job-alike discussion groups where transition professionals, college program coordinators, and educational coaches can collaborate and share best practices.

Learn from Experts

We host webinars that showcase evidence-based transition and postsecondary education practices, offering valuable insights and strategies for professionals in the field.

In addition to these core topics, we also offer specialized training and technical assistance on related focus areas that support student success:

• Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
• Instructional Design, including syllabus development, alternative assessments, instructional strategies, and establishing core teams
• Technology Integration, such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR)
• Career Exploration
• Student Portfolios and Personalized Career & Academic Plans (PCAP)

Let’s work together

*The Institute for Community Inclusion is an approved provider of Professional Development Points (PDPs), as recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Our trainings help educators meet recertification requirements while improving transition and postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities.