Overview
Lucia Guarino, Chair of Undergraduate Programs in Inclusive Education
The inclusive childhood education major prepares teacher candidates to be highly capable and ethically responsible teachers who have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to teach and reach all students effectively in childhood education (grades 1–6). The program standards draw directly from the School of Education/PEU’s conceptual framework, New York State Teaching and Learning Standards, the Association for Childhood Education International Standards, and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Standards. We embrace the fundamental belief that all students can and will learn, and that learning is significantly enhanced when teachers understand and apply: education theory and research to inform practice; multifaceted approaches to address the diverse learning needs of each student; and best educational practices to improve teaching and learning.
The inclusive childhood education program qualifies a candidate for a B.S. in inclusive childhood education with New York state initial certifications in childhood education (1–6) and students with disabilities (1–6). Teacher candidates who major in inclusive childhood education must also complete a second major or a concentration in a content area. The second major or concentration area may require candidates to complete more than the minimum 120 credits required for degree completion. The 49-credit inclusive childhood education major is structured within a sequential schedule. Courses in one level must be completed successfully before continuing to the next level. Candidates with a content area second major or concentration in English, Spanish, science (biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics), mathematics (mathematics or statistics), history, or American studies, may opt to take EDUC 333 - Differentiated Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in the Middle School (3) to obtain content-area certification in grades 7–9. Candidates with any second major or concentration may also opt to take EDUC 331 – Differentiated Curriculum, instruction, and Assessment in Early Childhood (2), EDUC 332 – Practicum in Early Childhood (1), (20 days) and EDUC 104 and 105 – Clinical Experiences in Early Childhood (0) (50 hours total) to obtain certification in birth to kindergarten.
4 + 1 Program
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education offers a 4+1 program designed to provide an accelerated pathway to New York State Teacher Certification for highly qualified students majoring in the liberal arts and sciences. This competitive program allows students to complete their baccalaureate degree in the liberal arts and sciences and their master’s degree in inclusive education with dual teacher certification in five years.
To be considered for the MS Inclusive Adolescence program, students must be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree and majoring in either mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, history, american studies or English.
To be considered for the MS Inclusive Childhood program, students must be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree and majoring in any of the liberal arts and sciences.
A GPA of 3.25 is required to be considered for the program.
The steps to pursue the 4 + 1 program are as follows:
- During the first semester of their sophomore year candidates will submit the School of Education 4 + 1 Program Application to the Chair of Inclusive Education, request letters of recommendation from three instructors, and complete an interview;
- If accepted, candidates will meet with their advisor to accelerate their baccalaureate degree program;
- During spring semester of the junior year, complete the Undergraduate Registration Form for 4+1 Graduate Education Program, found on the Registrar’s Office webpage under Documents and Forms.
- Also during spring semester of the junior year, candidates will submit an application form for the intended graduate program to Graduate Admissions for the upcoming fall semester;
- During fall semester of the senior year students will be completing their baccalaureate degree while beginning their master’s degree in inclusive education. The completed graduate courses are posted as undergraduate credit on the student’s academic transcript. The graduate courses are then added to the student’s graduate transcript at the end of the first semester of graduate study in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education.