Nov 21, 2024  
2011-2012 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2011-2012 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Special Education, M.A.


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Associate Professor Lodato Wilson, Graduate Program Director, (516) 463-5788.

Program Overview

Designed to provide students who enter holding an initial certificate in special education with advanced training in issues and problems of inclusion, transition, and other aspects of PreK-12 education, this 34 s.h. program prepares reflective practitioners who are able to translate experience and research literature alike into workable solutions to problems in the public schools.

Admission Requirements


Admission may be accomplished through application to the Office of Graduate Admissions

  1. Evidence of successful completion of requirements for the baccalaureate degree (minimum GPA 3.0) from a recognized institution of higher education.
  2. Three letters of recommendation.
  3. A written personal statement of professional intent.
  4. An interview with a faculty member in special education.
  5. In addition, the candidate must present evidence of New York state initial certification or equivalent out-of-state certification in special education, PreK-12.

The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a candidate’s potential for success in a graduate program. Accordingly, candidates are welcome to apply if they feel that some other aspect(s) of their experience may compensate for not satisfying one of the criteria above.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 34


Professional Core - Semester Hours: 16


Content Pedagogy Linkage - Semester Hours: 12-15


Complete only the content-pedagogy linkage for the initial area of certification held.

1. Early Childhood - Semester Hours: 12


A minimum of 3 s.h. in each of the following three areas for a total of 12 s.h. with advisement:

Social Studies:


  • ISI 201 - Cultural Diversity and Global Perspectives, 3 s.h. (New College course)

3. English - Semester Hours: 12


5. Languages Other Than English - Semester Hours: 12


Complete only the requirements below for the target language of Initial Certification.

A. French:


  • SED 233 - Curriculum & Instruction in Foreign Languages Credits: 3 s.h.

Select three courses (with advisement) from:

B. German:


  • SED 233 - Curriculum & Instruction in Foreign Languages Credits: 3 s.h.

Select three courses (with advisement) from:

  • GERM 221-226 -  Readings in Literature or Special Studies, 3 s.h. each

C. Russian:


  • SED 233 - Curriculum & Instruction in Foreign Languages Credits: 3 s.h.

Select three courses (with advisement) from:

D. Spanish:


  • SED 233 - Curriculum & Instruction in Foreign Languages Credits: 3 s.h.

Select three courses (with advisement) from:

6. Mathematics - Semester Hours: 12


Select three courses (with advisement) from the following:


7. Music - Semester Hours: 15


8. Sciences - Semester Hours: 12


Graduate Special Topics courses in BIO, CHEM, GEOL, and PHYS (with permission of the instructor and the graduate adviser).

Select three courses (with advisement) from the following:


Graduate Special Topics courses in BIO, CHEM, GEOL, and PHYS (with permission of the instructor and the graduate adviser).

  • GEOL 251 - Readings I Credits: 3 s.h.
  • GEOL 252 - Readings II Credits: 3 s.h.

9. Social Studies - Semester Hours: 12


Select three courses (with advisement) from the following:


  • ISI 201 - Cultural Diversity & Global Perspectives, 3 s.h. (New College for Interdisciplinary Studies course)

Exit Requirements - Semester Hours: 6


Required Course Work


Possession of New York state certification in special education (PreK-12) generally will indicate satisfactory completion of the “general education core” requirements teachers must meet in New York state. If, however, any one or more of the required academic content areas is/are missing from the student’s transcript, it is the student’s responsibility to complete those content requirements prior to finishing the first 15 s.h. of this master of arts program.

Graduation Requirements



  1. Completion of 34 s.h. of course work, including at least 24 s.h. in residence
  2. A minimum GPA of 3.0.
  3. Passing grade in the exit requirement (thesis).
  4. Completion of 1-3 above within a five-year period beginning with the completion of the first course(s) taken in the program.

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