This program is designed for career changers who are uncertified and wish to pursue certification in education grades 1-6 and students with disabilities grades 1-6. This master’s degree program meets the academic requirements for professional certification.

Why Choose the Dual Childhood/Special Education Program?

With the adoption of Common Core Standards and high stakes testing, it is essential that elementary school teachers are well-equipped to deliver standards-based, specially designed instruction and support services. The 49-credit master’s in dual childhood/special education program is designed to prepare educators to meet the specific needs of students of all ability levels, including students who are diagnosed with:

learning disabilities
emotionally disturbed/behaviorally disorders
autistic
physical disabilities
intellectual disabilities
multiple disabilities

The Curriculum

Educational and psychological research and hands-on experience are at the core of this program. During your first semester you will evaluate primary research and design a research project -- essential skills to keep you on top of an evolving field. Building on this framework, you will learn how to assess academic skills of at-risk, ELL (English Language Learners) and disabled students, as well as how to accommodate students and differentiate instruction in special education and inclusive classrooms.

In addition, you will be required to choose courses in content that cover language arts, math, science and social studies.

The program culminates with a seminar and internship to help you strengthen your knowledge and practice your teaching skills in the classroom.

What Will You Learn?

You will practice the art and science of teaching. You will learn how to plan an appropriate and effective instruction for grades 1-6, including how to provide modifications for the at-risk and disabled student. You will learn how to:

use formal and informal assessment tools
plan and implement instruction based upon the needs of students with special needs
implement a variety of strategies and methodologies that provide active engagement in learning
create an environment that encourages social interaction and appropriate behavior
understand the legal and ethical responsibilities of educators and parents in the community
be sensitive to the cultural diversity of students in the classroom
seamlessly integrate technology into instruction
apply child and adolescent theory
understand the foundations of education

What Will You Do?

Upon completion of the dual childhood/special education grades 1-6 program and passing the NYSTCE (New York State Teacher Certification Exams) you will be recommended for New York State certification to teacher general education grades 1-6 as well as students with disabilities grades 1-6.

Jobs for Childhood/Special Education Professionals

Careers of interest for childhood/special education students include the following.

Kindergarten and elementary school teacher
Preschool teacher
Teacher assistant
Instructional coordinator