Program Requirements
Special Education and Childhood 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
| GCED 522 | Research in Teaching, Learning, and Motivation in Childhood Education | (3) |
| GCED 525 | Critical Literacy Through Social Studies | (3) |
| GCED 531 | Field Experience I (50 Hours)* | (0) |
| GCED 532 | Field Experience II (50 Hours)* | (0) |
| GEDU 501 | Issues in Health and Safety | (0) |
| GEDU 520 | History and Philosophy of Education | (3) |
| GEDU 526 | Diversity, Social Justice, and Schooling | (3) |
| GRDG 535 | Literacy Instruction for the Inclusive Classroom: Primary | (3) |
| GRDG 550 | Literacy Instruction for the Inclusive Classroom: Intermediate | (3) |
| GSED 501 | Inclusive Education in Today’s Schools | (3) |
| GSED 502 | Methods and Strategies for Teaching Students in the Inclusive Classroom | (3) |
| GSED 508 | Behavior Management in the Inclusive Classroom: Childhood | (3) |
| GSED 515 | Educational Technology (B-Grade 6) | (3) |
| GSED 516 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation of Students in the Inclusive Classroom | (3) |
| GSED 531 | Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction in Mathematics, Science, and Technology | (3) |
| GSED 555 | Field Experience III (50 Hours)* | (0) |
| GSED 585 | Student Teaching Seminar: Special Education and Childhood | (0) |
| GSED 590 | Student Teaching: Special Education and Childhood | (6) |
| Total | (42) | |
*Field experiences are required for certification and the master’s degree. Candidates must complete 150 hours of field work 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 1–6. One placement will be at the primary level and another will be at the intermediate level. One of the placements will be in a high-needs school. To qualify for student teaching, candidates must:
- Complete all degree requirements with the exception of GCED 522.
- Complete all New York State teacher certification examinations.
M.S. Special Education Initial/Professional Certification
| GEDU 526 | Diversity, Social Justice, and Schooling | (3) |
| GRDG 506 | Teaching Reading to Learners with Special Needs: Childhood | (3) |
| GRDG 639 | Emergent Literacy | (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 508 | Behavior Management in the Inclusive Classroom: Childhood | (3) |
| GSED 516 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation of Students in the Inclusive Classroom | (3) |
| GSED 555 | Field Experience III (50 Hours) | (0) |
| GSED 595 | Research in Special Education and Capstone Project | (3) |
| GSED 650 | Practicum in Special Education: Childhood | (3) |
| Total | (30) | |
Special Education Advanced Certification
| 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 508 | Behavior Management in the Inclusive Classroom: Childhood | (3) |
| GSED 516 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation of Students in the Inclusive Classroom | (3) |
| GSED 650 | Practicum in Special Education: Childhood | (3) |
| Total | (18) | |
New York State Requirements: Childhood Certificates
Candidates who are seeking the Childhood and Special Education Certificates must have an adequate knowledge base for teaching to the New York State Learning Standards. This includes coursework in humanities, communication, written analysis and expression, history, social sciences, Languages Other Than English (LOTE), scientific process, mathematical process, health, physical education, family and consumer sciences, and artistic expression.
Transcripts are reviewed prior to admission to determine adequate preparation for the program. Candidates with inadequate preparation will be required to take additional coursework prior to student teaching.