Overview
Dr. Jeffrey Liles, Chair
Mission
The mission of the Master of Science in Special Education: Childhood program is to provide a quality educational experience that prepares candidates for distinguished careers in inclusive education, and for leadership roles in schools and communities. The special education programs develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions special educators need in order to effectively teach all students, including those with exceptional learning needs.
Childhood Options in Special Education (Grades 1-6)
M.S. in Special Education Dual Initial Certification
This option prepares noncertified graduate candidates who are pursuing childhood initial certification and certification to teach students with disabilities at the same developmental level, and results in the Master of Science in Special Education degree.
M.S. in Special Education Initial/Professional Certification (Childhood)
Note: As of Fall 2018, new students are no longer being admitted to this program.
This option prepares teachers who are initially certified in childhood education and are pursuing certification to teach students with disabilities at the same developmental level, and results in the Master of Science in Special Education degree.
Special Education Advanced Certification
Note: As of Fall 2018, new students are no longer being admitted to this program.
This option prepares teachers who have completed the master’s degree requirement and are pursuing certification to teach students with disabilities in grades 1–6.
Admission Requirements
The Admissions Committee of the special education program and the graduate program director review applicant qualifications.
In addition to the materials and credentials outlined in the general admission requirements, the following are required for all initial teacher certification programs:
- To comply with New York State regulations, all applicants to graduate-level teacher certification (or educational leadership certification) programs must provide St. John Fisher College with official scores on the Graduate Record Examination* (GRE).
- Applicants must have earned a minimum cumulative college grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for the baccalaureate degree from an approved post-secondary institution.
*Test scores are valid on either of these two exams for five years after you have tested. If your scores are from more than five years ago, you will need to take the test again. We want to provide you with the opportunity to submit your application for Fall 2018 and have it reviewed even if you have not yet taken the GRE. Individuals who apply for Fall 2018 matriculation but who have not submitted their GRE scores may still be provisionally accepted, but must submit evidence of having earned an acceptable score on the GRE exam by January 10, 2019. If an acceptable score is not submitted by those deadlines, you cannot continue in the program until you submit acceptable scores.
For information regarding application and admission to a graduate program in special education, please contact the Office of Transfer and Graduate Admissions at (585) 385-8064 or email grad@sjfc.edu.
For specific information regarding the Master of Science in Special Education program, please contact Dr. Jeff Liles, program director, through the School of Education office, (585) 385-5264 or email jliles@sjfc.edu.