A teacher working with a group of young children.

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


Additional Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

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

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

admissions
Deadlines
  • Fall: April 15
  • Spring: Not available
  • Summer: April 15

There is no departmental assistantship consideration for this program.

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


Supplemental Documents

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

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

Applicants to this program should include copies of teaching certifications held. Admission is contingent on proof of valid New York State Teaching Certification.

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.   

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

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

Note: Students admitted to this program must complete the degree requirements and be awarded their degree by Summer 2026 (no later than August 31, 2026) in order to comply with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Additional details regarding this NYSED requirement. The department is currently in the process of creating a new program that meets the new NYSED certification requirements. Please check the Graduate Bulletin and the School of Education webpage for updates.

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.
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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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