Overview
Kathleen A. Broikou, Chair of Undergraduate Programs in Inclusive Education
The inclusive adolescence education degree program is a dual-certification program comprised of the inclusive adolescence education major and a content area major or concentration. The program results in certification in adolescence education (grades 7–12) in the chosen content area and students with disabilities generalist (grades 7–12). This program is designed to prepare candidates to teach in one of the following disciplines: biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics, American studies, history, and English. In addition, candidates earn certification to teach students with disabilities in grades 7–12 as a generalist. A generalist is certified for employment as a supporting teacher for students with disabilities in content areas other than the candidate’s major area of study. Candidates may opt to take EDUC 333 - Differentiated Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in the Middle School to obtain content-area certification in grades 5–6.
The requirements in the content specialty major or concentration are designed to meet college, New York state, and national standards in the content specialty areas. In certain cases, additional courses may be required. For dual certification in adolescence education and students with disabilities generalist (7–12), candidates are also required to successfully complete a set of courses and clinical experiences relating to pedagogical content in teacher education. The inclusive adolescence education major requires 40 credits (43 credits with middle school extension certification). The following degree programs qualify candidates for dual certification in a content specialty area that allows them to teach in grades 5–12:
- B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education: Biology
- B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education: Chemical Education
- B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education: Earth Science
- B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education: Physics
- B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education: English
- B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education: Mathematics
- B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education: Social Studies (major may be in American Studies or History)
Note: As required by NYSED, candidates enrolling in the inclusive adolescence education major, with certification in adolescence education (7–12) with middle school extension (5–6) and students with disabilities generalist (7–12), may have a narrower range of acceptable Fisher Core courses than do students in other programs. Selected Fisher Core courses serve a double purpose in this program, but some courses that are approved as Fisher Core courses do not satisfy the requirements for this program. Candidates in this program need to work very closely with their academic advisors in selecting Fisher Core courses so that courses taken as part of the Fisher Core also satisfy content area requirements for this program.
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.