Program Overview

The dual master’s program in Literacy Studies and Early Childhood Special Education is designed for certified teachers who seek to meet New York State educational requirements for certification as literacy teachers (Birth through Grade 6) and teachers of special education, Early Childhood (Birth-2). Graduates of this program are certified for the following teaching positions:

1. Classroom teachers with advanced preparation in literacy instruction, birth to grade 6.
2. Literacy specialists with advanced preparation in one-on-one and small group instruction in literacy processes, birth to grade 6.
3. Literacy specialists prepared to work collaboratively with classroom teachers in designing and implementing effective literacy instruction in inclusive environments, birth to grade 6.
4. Teachers of special education with advanced preparation in literacy instruction in early childhood.
5. Teachers of special education at the early childhood developmental level.

The following principles, which are consistent with New York State Education Department principles of articulation and collaboration, underlie this dual master’s program:

1. A commitment in all of our courses to include instruction on current New York State Standards for Literacy and the Language Arts, and the means to implement these standards in classrooms and schools.
2. A commitment to address the new certification requirements articulated by New York State, including the preparation of separate course requirements and fieldwork requirements for students in Literacy Studies (Birth through Grade 6), as well as provision for the Early Childhood developmental level in Special Education. The certification requirements for Special Education are met within course work and fieldwork in Early Childhood and conform to the standards and guidelines of the Council for Exceptional Children.
3. Revision of all our programs to include the latest pedagogical understandings and practices in literacy instruction and special education.
4. A commitment to social justice and equity, and to broadening the definition of literacy practices beyond traditional school-based literacy in order to address issues of equity, access, and opportunity that are involved in literacy acquisition in communities that are as economically, linguistically, and ethnically diverse as those found in New York State.

Admission Requirements

1. B.A. or B.S. degree, with minimum GPA of 3.0.
2. Two letters of recommendation.
3. Possession of a New York State Initial or Provisional Teaching Certificate in Early Childhood, Childhood, Elementary Education, or Secondary Education (see note (b) and (e) below).
4. Interview with faculty members in Literacy Studies and Special Education.

General Education Core

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 47-50

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of a minimum of 26 semester hours in prescribed Literacy Studies courses and a minimum of 21-24 semester hours in Special Education with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all courses.
2. Completion of a minimum of a 50 hour practicum in Literacy Studies and 100 hours of supervised student teaching in Special Education under advisement of the Special Education coordinator.
3. Successful presentation of a learning portfolio to faculty and peers in Literacy Studies and successful completion of a comprehensive examination in Special Education.

Teacher Certification Requirements