A group of young students working on a computer with a teacher.

Master of Science  in
Special Education and Literacy (II)

Get Certified to Teach Students with Special Needs without a Teaching Background

Move into a career teaching students who need thoughtfully designed and differentiated instruction to succeed in school.

This program is specifically designed for applicants without initial teacher certification in childhood education. Your course of study will emphasize how evidence-based practices and social-justice ideologies operate interdependently to disrupt inequity and promote school success for all students.

You will experience a richly integrated blend of coursework to support new professional competencies and extensive applied field work to build proficiency in those competencies. 

Earning this degree enables you to achieve initial/professional certification in childhood education, special education and literacy. The resulting combined certifications will make you highly desirable to educational organizations seeking talented, well-rounded professionals.

Program of Study

programofstudy

To fully prepare you to work with exceptional children in elementary classrooms, this curriculum includes intensive practicum and internship experiences.

Your coursework will include topics such as:

  • Child development and learning
  • Teaching literacy to diverse students
  • Practica in literacy instruction
  • Teaching children with special needs
  • Practica in special education
  • Curriculum development and classroom management


Clinical Internship with Integrated Seminar in Teaching Students with Disabilities

In this full-time internship, you gain supervised clinical experience working with students with disabilities in education settings. The accompanying seminar covers special topics to help you succeed in your fieldwork

Master's Project


NYSED Training Requirements

  • Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act (SAVE)
  • Child Abuse Identification and Reporting
  • Needs of Students with Autism
  • Substance Abuse Prevention
  • Dignity for All Students Act
     

To pursue professional certification once you complete the program, you must request the University recommend you to the New York State Department of Education.


Additional Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact the Pathways Into Education (PIE) Center at [email protected]​​​​​​​.

This program is approved for licensure or certification in New York State.
For more information on Professional Licensure Disclosure, please see the Graduate Bulletin.

NYS Teacher Certification

This is the only graduate program at UAlbany that leads to initial certification in childhood education in New York State. All other graduate programs in childhood education, literacy, and/or special education require you to hold initial certification to teach grades 1-6 prior to your enrollment.

Earning this master's degree makes you eligible to apply for three different NYS teacher certifications:

  • Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
  • Students with Disabilities (All Grades)
  • Literacy (All Grades)

Graduates are commonly employed as elementary school, special education, and literacy teachers for grades 1-6 within public and private schools, and as specialists in disability services and community agencies.

Teacher working with a group of students
certification
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Option

New York State Education Department recently changed regulations for certification in both Special Education/Teaching Students with Disabilities & Literacy. They have eliminated "grade band" certification areas (i.e. grades 1-6) and will only offer certificates in these areas for "All Grades" (pre-k - grade 12). We will be restructuring the MS in Special Education & Literacy II in response to these new regulations.

If you’re a current UAlbany undergraduate student with a declared Human Development major and at least a 3.2 GPA, continue to check the School of Education website for updates to the program and the certifications if an accelerated program will be offered.

Contact your undergraduate advisor to see if you’re eligible and learn about your combined graduate program options.

UAlbany graduate with confetti at Commencement.
combined

Admissions Requirements

admissions
Deadlines
Deadlines

Fall: March 15
Spring: Not Available
Summer: March 15

There is no departmental assistantship consideration for this program.

Required Application Materials
Required Application Materials
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Three letters of recommendation (one must be from a faculty member attesting to academic ability) 

Please note: Combined undergraduate/graduate applicants must have a 3.2 GPA to apply.

Available information for applicants.

 

Special Notes

NY State Certification program. This program is not available to international applicants. Full consideration will be given to applicants who apply by the Priority Review Deadline. No prior certification required. Must have a major, minor, or concentration in one of the liberal arts and sciences. A minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA is required.

Please note: This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions.  If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

Accreditation

The University at Albany is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.


 

Logo for the AAQEP - Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation
Accreditation Details
Accreditation Details

The programs listed below have been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through June 30, 2028. Full accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.


AAQEP-Accredited Programs and Annual Reports at the University at Albany


Advanced Graduate Certificate Programs


Master of Science Programs

Careers and Advisement

The Pathways Into Education (PIE) Center is the central office on campus serving undergraduate, graduate, and prospective students interested in pursuing careers in education and programs leading to teacher certification.

Please call or email to schedule an appointment.

Graduate Advisement:
Email Graduate Advisement
518-442-3529

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