Special Education (grades 1-6), MSEd
Program Code 0808
(Qualifying for Initial/Professional Certification)
Aim of the Program
The aim of the program is to provide advanced professional training in the field of special education. To achieve this aim the college provides a program designed to assist the beginning or experienced teacher to qualify for initial or professional certification in special education by learning to:
- interpret and evaluate special education research;
- increase competence in assessment of pupils with mild disabilities;
- develop new skills in instruction and behavior management of pupils with mild disabilities;
- prepare to advocate for pupils who have mild disabilities by updating knowledge of federal and state legislation governing the delivery of special education services.
Description
This program is designed for teachers who already hold a valid New York State Teacher Certification in elementary or childhood who wish to become initially certified in special education (grades 1-6).
Upon successful completion of the program, candidates will be recommended for initial certification in special education (grades 1-6). The candidate will submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the New York State Teacher Certification Examination, namely the content specialty test (CST). The initial certificate shall be valid for five years from its effective date. For the professional certificate, the candidate shall successfully complete three years of teaching experience one of which must be under the guidance of a mentor teacher.
Degree Requirements
A minimum of 33 credits is required for the Master of Science in Education degree in Special Education. These credits are distributed as follows:
- Twenty four credits of required courses;
- Six credits of electives;
- Three credits of college supervised practicum in special education;
- Satisfactory performance on a written comprehensive examination (see Graduation Requirements).
Required courses
| ED 5001 | INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION | 3 |
| ED 5042 | APPLIED RESEARCH IN BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT | 3 |
ED 5125
| | |
| ED 5282 | CONTENT ENHANCEMENT FOR STUDENT WITH LEARNING PROBLEMS | 3 |
| ED 5295 | RESEARCH BASED INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES | 3 |
| ED 5364 | TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHING STUDENTS WITH AUTISM AND COMMUNICATION DISORDERS | 3 |
| ED 5390 | COLLABORATION WITH PROFESSIONALS AND PARENTS | 3 |
| ED 5924 | DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION FOR RTI, IEP AND TRANSITION PLANNING | 3 |
Electives (6 credits)
| ED 5470 | LITERACY FOR SPECIAL NEEDS PUPILS: PRE-K THROUGH GRADE 3 | 3 |
| Or | |
| ED 5480 | LITERACY FOR SPECIAL NEEDS PUPILS IN GRADES 3-6 | 3 |
| | |
| ED 5510 | READING IMPROVEMENT THROUGH WRITING | 3 |
| ED 5630 | SPECIALIZED METHODS FOR PUPILS WITH SEVERE LITERACY PROBLEMS | 3 |
ED 5670
| | |
| ED 5680 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN EDUCATION | 3 |
Practicum
| ED 5053 | PRACTICUM IN TEACHING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES | 3 |