Master of Science

Special Education and Literacy (II)

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

Move into a career teaching students in grades 1-6 who find learning challenging.

This 67-credit program is specifically designed for applicants without initial teacher certification in childhood education. It's the only program at UAlbany that lets you pursue initial certification for teaching students with disabilities without first obtaining initial certification to teach grades 1-6, and the only program that leads to certification in elementary education.

Earning this degree enables you to achieve initial/professional certification to teach students with disabilities in grades 1-6, and to teach literacy from birth through grade six. It also fulfills your graduate degree requirement for receiving professional certification in elementary education.

Program of Study
NYS Teacher Certification
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Program of Study

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

Child Development and Learning

Development in Childhood
Application of Cognitive Theories to Content Area Instruction

Teaching Literacy to Diverse Students

Literacy in Society
Early Literacy Development, B-2
Classroom Literacy Instruction
Teaching Written Expression to Students with Disabilities
Developing Reading Comprehension and Content Knowledge for Students with Disabilities

Practica in Literacy Instruction

Instruction to Prevent Literacy Difficulties
Writing in the Classroom, 1-6

Teaching Children with Special Needs

Introduction to Human Exceptionality
Instructional Environments and Practices for Students with Disabilities
Math and Inquiry Instruction for Students with Disabilities
Teaching Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities
Educating Students with Emotional Disorders and Challenging Behaviors: Advanced Tiers of Support
Assessment of Students with Disabilities

Practica in Special Education

Differentiated Instruction and Coaching, B-6
Teaching Students with Diverse Learning Needs

Curriculum Development and Classroom Management

Effective Teaching and Curricula for Diverse Learners
Managing School and Classroom-Wide Student Behavior to Promote Efficient and Effective Instruction

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

TEAC Program Accreditation

This teacher preparation program is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) for the ten-year period of April 30, 2011 to April 30, 2021.

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

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact Dr. Saddler at [email protected].

This program is approved for licensure or certification in New York State and the institution has not made a determination regarding the educational requirements for any other state.

NYS Teacher Certification

This is the only 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 (Grades 1-6)
Literacy (Birth-Grade 6)

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

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

Departmental Assistantship Consideration

Fall: Not Available
Spring: Not Available
Summer: May 1

No Departmental Assistantship Consideration

Fall: Not Available
Spring: Not Available
Summer: June 1

Required Application Materials

Transcripts from all schools attended
Three letters of recommendation
Official GRE scores

In light of the current situation, applications will be considered for review without GRE (or approved alternative) scores. Official admission will be contingent on the receipt of exams scores; however, we encourage all interested individuals still 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 as well as GRE test scores for admission. The GRE is just a portion of the overall admission package and a lower score does not mean an automatic denial if the other elements of the application are strong. The Department considers all evidence during admissions. Please contact Dr. Saddler, the Director of the Division of Special Education, if you have questions or concerns about the GPA requirement. The department will also accept the following exams in lieu of GRE: edTPA, GMAT, Miller's Analogies, or Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. Please contact the Pathways Into Education Center (518-442-3529) with questions regarding the entrance exam requirement.

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.

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