Early Childhood Special Education

Professor Mary McDonald, graduate program director, 516-463-7149

This 18-semester program, which includes a field experience, is designed for teachers holding New York state certification at the early childhood developmental level (birth-grade 2) or New York state special education certification at the childhood developmental level (grades 1-6). This graduate advanced certificate leads to the New York state professional certification in students with disabilities (birth-grade 2). The program provides flexible course delivery methods to meet the diverse needs of students. Students can complete degree requirements with on-site or online courses, or a combination of both. A distance learning (DL) course is equivalent to its on-site version.

On average, students complete this program in one and one half academic years.

Admission Requirements

Applications for admission to this advanced certificate program in the Department of Specialized Programs in Education are made to the Graduate Admission Office. Admission decisions are based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria. The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a student's potential for success in the program. Students may consider applying even if they fail to meet one of the GPA or testing criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience might compensate. All individual cases will be reviewed by an admission counselor before being referred to the graduate program for further review.

1. A master's degree
2. New York state classroom teaching certification at the early childhood developmental level (birth-grade 2), childhood (grades 1-6), or in students with disabilities (grades 1-6)
3. A completed application form to the advanced certificate program
4. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on all undergraduate coursework, or its equivalent (e.g., a 3.0 in a completed graduate program). We encourage you to submit all transcripts from your undergraduate work and any graduate work for consideration.
5. Two letters of recommendation addressing the applicant's potential to succeed in the teaching of young students with disabilities.
6. A written personal statement of professional intent
7. Interview with a faculty member in special education

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 18

• SPED 207 - Introduction to Young Children With Disabilities
• SPED 208 - Educational Intervention for Young Children With Disabilities
• SPED 209 - Early Intervention: Infant Stimulation
• SPED 216 - Assessment and Diagnosis in Early Childhood Special Education
• SPED 226 - Early Intervention and Related Services in Early Childhood Special Education
• SPED 295 - Practicum in Special Education

Teacher Certification Requirements

Upon successful completion of degree requirements, students will be eligible to apply for the University's recommendation for New York state certification. Contact the Office of Educational Support Services, Room 233 Hagedorn Hall, for information regarding any required Educational Law seminars* and other certification requirements. Forms for applying for certification can be found on the  School of Education Dean's Office webpage, under the certification tab.

*Please note, as of December 31, 2013, the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education now require a new six-hour seminar for Training in Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention, required under the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA):  CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.