Department of Special Education and Literacy

Master's Degree Programs in Special Education and Literacy

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

M.S.Ed. in Special Education (Grades 1-6)
M.S. in Childhood Education/Special Education (dual certification)

LITERACY PROGRAMS

M.S.Ed. in Literacy (Birth - Grade 6)
M.S. in Childhood Education/Literacy (dual certification)

M.S.Ed. in Special Education (Grades 1 to 6)*
Teaching students with special needs can be a particularly rewarding and challenging career path. This program prepares you to create effective learning environments for three types of students: mentally handicapped, emotionally disturbed and learning disabled. These three areas of specialization are incorporated into one comprehensive program that covers Grades 1 to 6. Study classroom management and the diagnosis and correction of learning disabilities. Learn about inclusion techniques - a trend toward keeping special education children in regular classes while also providing additional assistance in that setting. Elective courses include the use of technology in special education, understanding the neurologically impaired child, and the psychology and education of autistic children. Supervised student-teaching opportunities will give you real-world experience with this special population.

Graduate Concentration in Autism
One of few such programs in the nation, this concentration prepares highly specialized educators to work with autistic children and adults. It also prepares educators to work in teams with psychologists, social workers and families to respond to the special needs of this unique population. The concentration in Autism is available to those enrolled in the M.S.Ed. in Special Education.
*Candidates must possess initial teaching certification.

Master's Degree in Special Education (M.S.Ed.) (1-6)
Program Requirements (30 credits):

Master's Degree in Special Education with Concentration in Autism (30 credits)

M.S. in Childhood Education/Special Education (dual certification)
This Master of Science degree prepares students to develop and teach innovative curricula for children in Grades 1 to 6, and to teach elementary school children with special needs such as mental handicaps, learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Teachers trained in this area are in high demand. Courses cover topics including the environment of the American school system, student behavior, curriculum development, educational goals and objectives, contemporary philosophies and cultural diversity. In addition, you will explore the historical, social and legal foundations of special education and receive extensive clinical experience working with children with special needs. Not only will you become familiar with the characteristics of children with varying levels of learning difficulties but you will also learn to adapt instructional strategies and materials to fit their needs. This 48-credit program prepares you for dual certification in both Childhood Education and Special Education.

M.S.Ed. in Literacy* (Birth - Grade 6)
Love to read? Why not share that passion with children? This Master of Science program leads to New York State certification as a Literacy Teacher for children from Birth to Grade 6 and prepares you to work in schools and clinical settings as a Literacy Specialist. You will learn to teach reading and written communications, develop reading curricula, evaluate student progress, and identify students in need of corrective and remedial instruction. In addition, you will develop skills for communicating with parents and encouraging them to become intimately involved in their child's reading experience. With this background, you may even be called upon to evaluate a district-wide reading program. You will gain clinical experience at our on-campus Literacy and Learning Development Center.
*Candidates must possess initial teaching certification.

M.S.Ed. in Literacy (Birth - Grade 6
Program Requirements (30 credits)

M.S. in Childhood Education/Literacy
Literacy is more involved than just reading. The development of true literacy requires intellectual, physical, social, emotional, motivational and moral growth. This dual master's program gives comprehensive attention to each of these factors as they relate to children (Birth to Grade 6). You will explore the principles of elementary education curricula as well as instructional strategies and assessment methods. The Literacy portion of the program prepares two types of literacy providers: classroom teachers and literacy professionals. Coursework covers reading comprehension, selecting appropriate literature for classroom learning, remedial instruction, and current trends in testing and reading techniques. Field work will enable you to work with individual children as part of your clinical training. This 48-credit program prepares you for dual certification in both Childhood Education and Teaching Literacy.