Program Requirements
M.S. in Special Education Dual Initial Certification
Requirements
The number of credits is indicated in parentheses at the end of each course title. For courses with a field experience component, the number of hours required is also designated in parentheses.
Required Courses - 33 credits
- GAED 528 - The Adolescent (3)
- GAED 533 - Field Experience I (0) (50 hours)
- GAED 534 - Field Experience II (0) (50 hours)
- 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) (50 hours)
- GSED 586 - Student Teaching Seminar: Special Education and Adolescence (0)
- GSED 591 - Student Teaching: Special Education and Adolescence (6)
Content Methods Course: Effective Practice - 3 credits
Choose ONE content methods course from the following.
- GAED 541 - Effective Practice in Social Studies Education (3)
- GAED 542 - Effective Practice in English Education (3)
- GAED 543 - Effective Practice in LOTE Education (3)
Content Methods Course: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment - 3 credits
Choose ONE content methods course from the following.
- GAED 537 - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in Social Studies Education (3)
- GAED 538 - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in English Education (3)
- GAED 539 - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in LOTE Education (3)
Culminating Content-based Course - 3 credits
Choose ONE culminating content-based course from the following.
- GAED 561 - Research in Social Studies Education (3)
- GAED 562 - Research in English Education (3)
- GAED 563 - Research in LOTE Education (3)
- GAED 564 - Research in Mathematics Education (3)
- GAED 565 - Research in Science Education (3)
Total: 42 credits
Field Experiences and Student Teaching
Field experiences are required for certification and the master's degree. Candidates must complete 150 hours of field work before student teaching.
The semester long student teaching experience may be in any grade between 7th and 12th. It may or may not be in a high-needs school/district.
To qualify for student teaching, candidates must:
- Complete all degree requirements with the exception of GAED 561 or 562 or 563
- Complete the NYS requirements for the adolescence content area - English, LOTE, social studies, biology, chemistry, physics or math.
- Complete all New York State teacher certification examinations
New York State Requirements: Adolescence and 7-12 Students with Disabilities Generalist Certificates
Candidates who are seeking the Adolescence and Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist Certificate are required to have 30 credits in a chosen content area. Candidates must also 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 the student teaching semester.