Program Requirements
Special Education and Adolescence Options
- M.S. Special Education Dual Initial Certification
- M.S. Special Education Initial/Professional Certification
- Special Education Advanced Certification
M.S. Special Education Dual Initial Certification
| GAED 528 | The Adolescent | (3) |
| GAED 533 | Field Experience I (50 Hours) | (0) |
| GAED 534 | Field Experience II (50 Hours) | (0) |
| GEDU 501 | Issues in Student Health and Safety | (0) |
| GEDU 520 | History and Philosophy of Education | (3) |
| GEDU 526 | Diversity, Social Justice, and Schooling | (3) |
| GRDG 507 | Teaching Reading to Learners with Special Needs: Adolescence | (3) |
| GRDG 534 | Literacy Instruction in the Content Areas | (3) |
| GSED 501 | Inclusive Education in Today’s Schools | (3) |
| GSED 502 | Methods and Strategies for Teaching Students in the Inclusive Classroom | (3) |
| GSED 512 | Behavior Management in the Inclusive Classroom: Adolescence | (3) |
| GSED 516 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation of Students in the Inclusive Classroom | (3) |
| GSED 556 | Field Experience III | (0) |
| GSED 586 | Student Teaching Seminar: Special Education and Adolescence | (0) |
| GSED 591 | Student Teaching: Special Education and Adolescence | (6) |
| Choose one content methods course: | GAED 541 Effective Practice in Social Studies Education | (3) |
| GAED 542 Effective Practice in English Education | ||
| GAED 543 Effective Practice in LOTE Education | ||
| Choose one content methods course: | GAED 537 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in Social Studies Education | (3) |
| GAED 538 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in English Education | ||
| GAED 539 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in LOTE Education | ||
| Choose one culminating content-based course: | GAED 561 Research in Social Studies Education | (3) |
| GAED 562 Research in English Education | ||
| GAED 563 Research in LOTE Education | ||
| Total | (42) |
Field experiences are required for certification and the master’s degree. Candidates must complete 150 hours of fieldwork before student teaching.
Student teaching is full-time for 14 weeks and includes two placements—one as a special education teacher and one as a general education teacher in grades 7–12. One of the placements will be in a high-needs school. To qualify for student teaching, candidates must:
- Complete the New York State requirements for the adolescence content area—English, LOTE, or social studies.
- Pass the ALST (NYS Teacher Certification Examination) prior to student teaching.
M.S. Special Education Adolescence Education/ Special Education Generalist Certification
| GEDU 526 | Diversity, Social Justice, and Schooling | (3) |
| GRDG 507 | Teaching Reading to Learners with Special Needs: Adolescence | (3) |
| GRDG 634 | Literacy Instruction in the Content Areas | (3) |
| GSED 500 | Critical Issues in Inclusive Education | (3) |
| GSED 501 | Inclusive Education in Today’s Schools | (3) |
| GSED 502 | Methods and Strategies for Teaching Students in the Inclusive Classroom | (3) |
| GSED 512 | Behavior Management in the Inclusive Classroom: Adolescence | (3) |
| GSED 516 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation of Students in the Inclusive Classroom | (3) |
| GSED 556 | Field Experience III Adolescence Special Education | (0) |
| GSED 595 | Research in Special Education and Capstone Project | (3) |
| GSED 651 | Practicum in Special Education: Adolescence | (3) |
| Total | (30) |
Special Education Advanced Certification Generalist 7–12
| GSED 500 | Critical Issues in Inclusive Education | (3) |
| GSED 501 | Inclusive Education in Today’s Schools | (3) |
| GSED 502 | Methods and Strategies for Teaching Students in the Inclusive Classroom | (3) |
| GSED 512 | Behavior Management in the Inclusive Classroom: Adolescence | (3) |
| GSED 516 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation of Students in the Inclusive Classroom | (3) |
| GSED 651 | Practicum in Special Education: Adolescence | (3) |
| Total | (18) |
New York State Requirements: Adolescence Certificates
Candidates who are seeking the Adolescence and Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist Certificate are required to have prior certification in any New York State area (out of state candidates should contact Graduate Admissions). Candidates who are seeking the Special Education Generalist 7-12 Certificate must have an adequate knowledge base for teaching the New York State Learning Standards. This includes 24 credits of coursework in English language arts (6 credits); social studies (6 credits); science (6 credits); and mathematics (6 credits).
Transcripts are reviewed prior to admission to determine adequate preparation for the program. Candidates with inadequate preparation will be required to take additional coursework in these core content areas prior to obtaining certification.