Childhood Special Education, M.S.

The Master of Science in Childhood Special Education offered by the SUNY Old Westbury School of Education is for teachers seeking a graduate degree and initial/professional certification in special education in New York State. Having completed the program, graduates will be positioned to advocate as teachers in schools and other forums for learners with special needs while also engaging in research-based instruction. After satisfying the State’s requirements for paid, full time classroom experience, graduates of this program will be qualified to apply for professional certification in Childhood Special Education.

The degree combines theory and practice, and meets all relevant New York State Education Department requirements. This 36-credit degree program has a 24-credit core that includes pedagogical content in classroom management, developmental disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, literacy, learning difficulties, and assessment. The remaining 12 credits include specialized coursework, research and field experience at the Childhood (grades 1-6) level in Special Education. The emphasis on pedagogy and subject specialization provides strong professional training for students in the program. The interdisciplinary/cross-disciplinary nature of pedagogy and content area coursework as offered here demonstrates to students the value of this approach to human learning and knowledge.

Designed for part-time students only, the program takes three years to complete for students taking two courses per semester. Applications for this program are accepted only for fall semester entry.

Students’ Learning Outcomes for the Special Education Masters Programs include:

• Candidates will demonstrate a well-grounded knowledge of current research and established theories of working with children with disabilities. Their knowledge base will include a comprehensive model of legal aspects of disability and special education, evidence-based learning processes and a thorough understanding of the impact of disability on learning differences taking into account cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic diversity.
• Candidates will demonstrate the ability to use a wide range of instructional practices, approaches, methods and curricula materials to assess and analyze student learning, make appropriate adjustments to instruction, monitor student learning, and have a positive effect on learning for all students.
• Candidates will be prepared to promote the self-advocacy skills of children with disabilities with the aim of increasing children’s capacity to take an active role in their own learning and development.
• Candidates will demonstrate increased capacity to understand and apply various assistive technologies to enhance the learning of students with disabilities.
• Candidates will be prepared to routinely and effectively collaborate with all stakeholders by sharing information about the behavioral, academic and social needs of learners through the use of best practice strategies, resources and supports.
• Candidates will demonstrate teacher leadership skills that impact student learning through communication, collaboration, knowledge of content, understanding of pedagogy, and systems-level thinking.
• Candidates will demonstrate a knowledge of current research and established theories of working with diverse learners.

Admissions Requirements

All students applying for admission to the program are required to:

1. Submit a Graduate Admissions Application and non-refundable application fee. Initial certification is NOT required, however; candidates with initial certification in early childhood education and/or childhood education may apply.
2. Provide evidence of the completion of either an undergraduate or graduate degree, which includes a minimum of 30 credits in liberal arts as required by New York State teacher certification requirements.
3. .Have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4) or the equivalent, in the highest earned degree.
4. Submit proof of an earned master’s degree.
5. Submit two (2) letters of recommendation, at least one from an academic source.
6. Prepare an admission essay to answer the following question: “Why are you interested in pursuing a career in special education?”

NOTE: International students must present additional testing and documentation as part of the College’s International Admissions Requirements, including TOEFL requirements, IELTS exam results, and document evaluations by ECE or WES.