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Master of Science 

Special Education (Inclusion and Special Education)

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Advance Your Teaching Skills and Work with Children with Special Needs in Inclusive Classrooms

Gain advanced teaching skills that enable you to create learning-inclusive general education classrooms and successfully instruct students with special educational needs in inclusive classroom settings.

If you've already received initial certification to teach grades 1-6 and initial certification to teach students with disabilities in grades 1-6, you can achieve professional certification in both areas by completing this master's degree in special education.

The 30-credit curriculum includes a series of special education courses, electives in reading and educational psychology, and an individually designed capstone research project.

This program is designed for completion over a longer period of time as students usually take classes part-time while teaching or substitute teaching. Although you may study full-time keep in mind that there might be possible course conflicts since the programs are not designed for full-time study.

Content

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Special Education

  • Developing Reading Comprehension and Content Knowledge for Students with Disabilities
  • Math and Inquiry Instruction for Students with Disabilities
  • Managing School and Classroom-wide Student Behavior to Promote Efficient and Effective Instruction
  • Assessing Students with Disabilities
  • Instructional Environments and Practices for Students with Disabilities

Educational Psychology

  • Basic Data Analysis or Statistical Methods I
  • Research Project in Educational Psychology (must be taken in last semester)
  • Choose one of the following: Educational Psychology, Assessment in Education, or Advanced Educational Psychology

Literacy

Choose two: Children's Literature, Literacy in Society, Teaching Writing, or Integrated Literacy Instruction

 

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information contact Professor Saddler at bsaddler@albany.edu.

NYS TEACHER CERTIFICATION

This master's in special education program enables initially certified childhood and special education teachers to further develop their skills instructing disabled students in inclusive elementary school classrooms as well as more severely challenged students in special education environments.

The program leads to professional certification in teaching children in grades 1-6 and professional certification in teaching students with disabilities in grades 1-6.


What If I'm Certified to Teach Grades 1-6, But Not Certified to Teach Students with Disabilities?

If you possess initial certification in elementary education but haven't received initial certification to teach students with disabilities, you can become a qualified special education instructor by enrolling in the special education graduate internship program.

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.

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

Priority Review Deadline

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

Departmental Assistantship Consideration

Fall: Not Available
Spring: Not Available
Summer: Not Available
 

No Departmental Assistantship Consideration

Fall: Rolling
Spring: Rolling
Summer: Rolling

Required Application Materials
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official GRE scores


Supplemental Documents

Prior teaching certificate in Elementary/Childhood Education and Special Education 1-6

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. Prior teaching certificate in Elementary/Childhood Education and Special Education 1-6 required. The test score requirement is for application Fall 2016 and forward. 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.

Applicants to this program should include copies of teaching certifications held and copies of test scores. Be aware that candidates applying for certification on or after May 1, 2014 or candidates who applied for certification on or before April 30, 2014 but did not meet all the requirements for an initial certification on or before April 30, 2014 must now complete the following certification exams: edTPA; Educating All Students Test (EAS); Academic Literacy Skills Test (ALST), and the revised Multi-Subject Content Specialty Test (CST). Applicants to the Inclusion and Special Education program must also include a copy of the test scores on the Special Education Content Specialty Test. In addition, as of December 31, 2013, all applicants for certification are required to complete six clock hours in DASA (Dignity for All Students Act) training. Admission is contingent on proof of valid New York State Teaching Certification and passing grades on these examinations for all applicants.

Please note: This program is licensure qualifying. 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.   

Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Master of Science
  • Students will demonstrate a broad knowledge of the theoretical basis of educational psychology.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of the research basis of educational psychology and will have methodological competence to carry out primary statistical analyses and to evaluate the credibility of research findings.
  • Students will be able to design and carry out a small-scale research study that addresses a relevant issue in the field of educational psychology.

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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