Literacy Studies (Birth-Grade 6) and Special Education (Birth-Grade 2) or (Grades 1-6), M.S.Ed.

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Associate Professor Lodato WIlson, Graduate Program Co-Director, (516) 463-5788
Associate Professor Zaleski, Graduate Program Co-Director, (516) 463-5372

Option I. LITERACY STUDIES (Birth-Grade 6) and SPECIAL
EDUCATION (Birth- Grade 2)

Option II. LITERACY STUDIES (Birth-Grade 6) and SPECIAL
EDUCATION (Grades 1-6)

These dual programs prepare students to meet the educational requirements for certification, literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and students with disabilities (Birth-Grade 2) or (Grades1-6). The degree provides students with the opportunity to participate in classes that focus on the most current understandings of literacy and special education pedagogical practices. A universal theme woven into the fabric of all programs in special education is an appreciation of diversity and the understanding that the goal of education is to teach every child so that all children can learn. Graduates of this program will be recommended for the following teaching certificates: Classroom teachers with preparation in literacy (Birth to Grade 6) and students with disabilities (Birth-Grade 2) or (Grades 1-6). Graduates will be prepared for the following teaching positions:

Literacy specialists with additional preparation in one-on-one and small group instruction with students with disabilities (Birth-Grade 2) or (Grades 1-6).
Literacy specialists prepared to work collaboratively with classroom teachers in designing and implementing effective literacy instruction in inclusive environments. (Birth-Grade 2) or (Grades 1-6).
Teachers of students with disabilities (Birth-Grade 2) or (Grades 1-6) with additional preparation in literacy instruction (Birth-Grade 6).

Admission Requirements

B.A. or B.S. degree, with minimum G.P.A. of 3.0.
Two letters of recommendation.
Possession of a New York state initial or provisional teaching certificate in early childhood or childhood education (See Note (c) below).
Interview with faculty members in literacy studies and special education.
A written statement of purpose is required for special education.

General Education Core Requirements

In order to ensure that prospective teachers have a broad education in the liberal arts and sciences, all students must have completed undergraduate course work from each of the content areas below.

Artistic Expression/Humanities, 3 s.h.
Communication, 3 s.h.
Information Retrieval, (0-3 s.h.; can be satisfied with passing score on exam)
Historical and Social Science Concepts, 3 s.h.
Language other than English, (0-3 s.h.; depending on placement)
Scientific Processes, 3 s.h.
Mathematical Processes, 3 s.h.
Written Analysis and Expression, 6 s.h.

Please note that programs may have general education requirements that exceed the minimum registered with the state. Degrees will not be conferred unless all general education core deficiencies have been met.

Program Requirements

Option I

Literacy Studies (Birth-Grade 6) and Special Education (Birth-Grade 2)

Students take 47 to 50 s.h. for the dual certification in Literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and Students With Disabilities (Birth-Grade 2): 26 s.h. in Literacy Studies and 21 to 24 s.h. in Special Education. Phase I courses must be completed before entering Phase II. LYST 240 and 241 are prerequisites for LYST 242. LYST 300 must be taken as part of the first 12 s.h. of study. LYST 301 must be taken during the last spring or fall semester of study. It is recommended that students take courses in Literacy Studies and Special Education concurrently as listed in the table below:

Phase I: Semester Hours: 28

LYST 213 - Introduction to Bilingual and Biliteracy Instruction for Children and Adolescents, 3 s.h.

LYST 208 - Language, Culture and Identity: Literacy Issues for Teachers and Children Semester Hours: 3
or
LYST 212 - Family, Community, and School Literacies: Cultural Perspectives Semester Hours: 3
or
LYST 216 - Literacy Learning at Home and in School: Social Contexts of Young Children Learning to Read and Write Semester Hours: 3
LYST 218 - Reading and Writing Practices in Early Childhood and Childhood Semester Hours: 3
or
LYST 220 - Literature in the Lives of Young Children Semester Hours: 3
LYST 300 - Introduction to Portfolio Preparation Semester Hours: 1
SPED 207 - Introduction to Young Children With Disabilities Semester Hours: 3
SPED 208 - Educational Intervention for Young Children With Disabilities Semester Hours: 3
SPED 209 - Early Intervention: Infant Stimulation Semester Hours: 3
SPED 210 - The Creative Arts in Special Education Semester Hours: 3
SPED 216 - Assessment and Diagnosis in Early Childhood Special Education Semester Hours: 3

Phase II: Semester Hours: 19-22

LYST 240 - Assessment and Evaluation of Reading and Writing Semester Hours: 3
LYST 241 - Miscue Analysis and Retrospective Miscue Analysis Semester Hours: 3
LYST 242 - Literacy Practicum: Assessing the Complexity of Student Learning (Birth Through Grade 6) Semester Hours: 3
LYST 245 - Revaluing Readers and Writers Semester Hours: 3 s.h.
LYST 301 - Portfolio Advisement and Presentation Semester Hours: 1
SPED 226 - Early Intervention and Related Services in Early Childhood Special Education Semester Hours: 3
Select one of the following:
SPED 237 - Teaching Students With Disabilities Semester Hours: 6
SPED 237A - Teaching Students With Disabilities Semester Hours: 3

Option II

Literacy Studies (Birth-Grade 6) and Special Education (Grades 1-6)

Students take 51 to 54 s.h. for the dual certification in Literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and Students With Disabilities (Grades 1-6): 26 s.h. in Literacy Studies and 25 to 28 s.h. in Special Education. Phase I courses must be completed before entering Phase II. LYST 300 and SPED 277 must be taken as part of the first 12.s.h. of study. LYST 301 must be taken as part of the final spring or fall semester of study. Students must take SPED 201 or its equivalent as a corequisite to beginning this program. It is recommended that students take courses in Literacy Studies and Special Education concurrently as listed in the table below:

Prerequisite

SPED 201 - The Exceptional Child Semester Hours: 3

Phase I - Semester Hours: 28

LYST 213 - Introduction to Bilingual and Biliteracy Instruction for Children and Adolescents, 3 s.h.
LYST 214 - Language and Literacy in Early Childhood and Childhood, 3 s.h.

LYST 208 - Language, Culture and Identity: Literacy Issues for Teachers and Children Semester Hours: 3
or
LYST 212 - Family, Community, and School Literacies: Cultural Perspectives Semester Hours: 3
or
LYST 216 - Literacy Learning at Home and in School: Social Contexts of Young Children Learning to Read and Write Semester Hours: 3
LYST 218 - Reading and Writing Practices in Early Childhood and Childhood Semester Hours: 3
or
LYST 220 - Literature in the Lives of Young Children Semester Hours: 3
LYST 300 - Introduction to Portfolio Preparation Semester Hours: 1
SPED 204 - Collaborative Partnerships With Families of Children With Disabilities Semester Hours: 3
SPED 211 - Knowledge and Strategies for Teaching Students With Cognitive Disabilities Semester Hours: 3
SPED 241 - Identification and Interventions for Children and Adolescents With Emotional/Behavioral Disorders Semester Hours: 3
SPED 246 - The Education of Students With Learning Disabilities and Other Associated Conditions Semester Hours: 3
SPED 277 - Technology and Assistive Technology in Special Education Semester Hours: 3

Phase II - Semester Hours: 23-26

LYST 240 - Assessment and Evaluation of Reading and Writing Semester Hours: 3
LYST 241 - Miscue Analysis and Retrospective Miscue Analysis Semester Hours: 3
LYST 242 - Literacy Practicum: Assessing the Complexity of Student Learning (Birth Through Grade 6) Semester Hours: 3
LYST 245 - Revaluing Readers and Writers Semester Hours: 3 s.h.
LYST 301 - Portfolio Advisement and Presentation Semester Hours: 1
SPED 237 - Teaching Students With Disabilities Semester Hours: 6
or
SPED 237A - Teaching Students With Disabilities Semester Hours: 3
SPED 242 - Psychoeducational Assessment in Special Education Semester Hours: 3
SPED 245 - Curriculum and Methods for Students With Diverse Learning Needs Semester Hours: 4

Graduation Requirements

Completion of a minimum of 26 semester hours in prescribed Literacy Studies courses and a minimum of 25 to 28 semester hours in Special Education with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all courses.
Completion of a minimum of 50 hours of field experiences in Literacy Studies within school, family, or community settings, including at least 30 practicum hours completed at the Saltzman Reading/Writing/Learning Clinic and supervised student teaching in Special Education under advisement of the Director of Special Education.
Successful presentation of a learning portfolio to faculty and peers in Literacy Studies and successful completion of a comprehensive examination in Special Education.
Completion of all program prerequisites.

Teacher Certification Requirements

Students who graduate from the master of science in education dual programs in literacy studies and special education can apply for either initial or professional certification in literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and students with disabilities (Birth-Grade 2) or literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and students with disabilities (Grades 1-6) depending on individual qualifications.

Applicants for New York state certification are required to show evidence of having attended child abuse, drug intervention, school violence, and fire and arson seminars. Contact the Office of Certification and Educational Support Services, Hagedorn Hall, Room 129, regarding the appropriate certification examinations and additional requirements.

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