Counseling, Research, Special Education, and Rehabilitation: Special Education & Early Childhood Special Education

Special Education &
Early Childhood Special Education

Programs of Study

Master of Science in Education in Special Education
For students with New York Certification in Childhood, Middle Childhood or Adolescent Education, Literacy Studies, or Special Subjects to become teachers of students with disabilities (Childhood-Adolescence). This program consists of a sequence of core courses and experiences for teaching students across the full range of disabilities and special health care needs leading to New York State Initial/Professional Certification as a Special Education teacher at the prescribed developmental level: Childhood, Middle Childhood or Adolescent. Upon completion of this program students will qualify for the New York State Annotation for Teaching Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities.

Master of Science in Inclusive Elementary Special Education
For students with no formal course work or teaching experience in childhood, or childhood special education. The pre-service graduate program in Inclusive Elementary Special Education is designed to prepare professionals in the education of children with diverse learning needs in a variety of elementary education classroom settings. This dual graduate pre-service program leads toward the New York State Initial Certificate to teach at the childhood level (Grades 1 through 6), and the New York State Initial/Professional Certificate to teach Special Education at the Childhood developmental level (Grades 1 through 6).

Master of Science of Education in Inclusive Secondary Special Education
For students with no formal course work or teaching experience in secondary education or special education at the adolescent developmental level. This dual graduate pre-service program leads toward the New York State Initial Certificate to teach adolescents in social students, mathematics, sciences, English or foreign languages (grades 7-12) and the New York State Initial/Professional Certificate to teach Special Education at the adolescent developmental level (grades 7-12).

Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood Special Education
For students with New York State Certification in Early Childhood Education (birth-grade 2), or Childhood Education (grades 1-6) to become teachers of young children (birth-grade 2) with disabilities. Upon completion of this program candidates will qualify for initial certification for teaching students with disabilities in early childhood as well as the annotation for teaching students with severe or multiple disabilities in early childhood. This program leads to New York State Initial/Professional Certification in Special Education at the Early Childhood level.

Master of Science in Education in Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education
For students with no formal course work or teaching experience in early childhood, or early childhood special education. This dual graduate pre-service program leads toward the New York State Initial Certificate to teach Early Childhood (birth- grade 2), the New York State Initial/Professional Certificate to teach Special Education at the Early Childhood developmental level (birth-grade 2), and the New York State Annotation to Teach Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities.

Master of Science in Education in Literacy Studies and Special Education
The Master of Science in Literacy Studies and Special Education prepares students to meet the educational requirements for the new certification of 1) Teachers of Literacy, Birth through grade 6; or Teachers of Literacy; and Teacher of Students with Disabilities at the Early Childhood, Childhood, Middle Childhood and Adolescent developmental level.

Master of Arts in Special Education
Designed to provide students who enter holding an initial certificate in special education with advanced training in issues and problems of inclusion, transition, and other aspects of PreK-12 education, this 34 s.h. program prepares reflective practitioners who are able to translate experience and research literature alike into workable solutions to problems in the public schools. A new program for students with no formal course work or teaching experience leading to general education certification and special education with a specialization in creative arts therapy is being developed.

Advanced Certificate for Teaching Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities
The Advanced Certificate for Teaching Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities is designed for teachers who are certified in special education who wish additional pedagogical knowledge skills, and experiences for teaching students with severe and multiple disabilities in early childhood, childhood, middle childhood, or adolescence. A completion of a minimum of 15 credits leads to the New York State Annotation for Teaching Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities.

Advanced Certification in Gifted Education
The advanced certificate program for teaching students of high ability/talents is designed for teachers who hold New York State teacher certification or for students completing an education master's diploma program who seek a concentration in gifted education. This program leads to the New York State extension for gifted education for classroom teaching certificates.

Advanced Certificate for Special Education Assessment and Diagnosis
This 13-19 semester hour program prepares professional personnel to serve as educational evaluators responsible for identifying students in need of special education services. This program is intended to meet the extended professional needs of teachers certified in early childhood, childhood, middle childhood or adolescent education, special education or literacy studies. It is designed to extend skills in psychoeducational assessment of special learning needs in all students classified as disabled as well as early childhood populations; students with primary specific reading difficulties; and students from different cultural backgrounds who may be bilingual.

Advanced Certificate for Early Childhood Special Education
This 18 semester hour program, which includes a field experience, is designed for teachers holding early childhood or special education certification who wish training in the field of early childhood special education.

Advanced Certificate for Postsecondary Transition Specialist
This 15 semester hour program prepares special educators and related services personnel including rehabilitation counselors, etc., to facilitate postsecondary transition to educational, vocational and community living settings for students with disabilities.