Adolescence Special Education (M.S.T.)

This program has been replaced by the Teaching Students with Disabilities (M.S.T., All Grades) program and is in the process of phasing out. The program will be retired at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year.

30 credits

NYSED 34664/34671

This clinically-rich master’s degree program in adolescence special education prepares teachers for support roles in special education such as consultant teacher, resource room service providers, and integrated co-teachers. The coursework and field experiences develop competencies in understanding principles and policies of special education, and proficiency in assessing and providing evidenced-based intervention and instruction for culturally diverse adolescents with a range of disabilities.

This program leads to New York state certification as a teacher of Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist.

CIP Code

13.1019 - Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs.


You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.

Applicants for any of the initial teacher education (ITE) programs must meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School of Education as well as their specific degree or certificate program and the following ITE requirements:

  • baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major or concentration in one of the liberal arts or sciences
  • a minimum undergraduate grade point average of approximately 3.0 (B or better)
  • two reference reports: academic and professional
  • satisfactory command of oral and written English as evidenced through an admissions essay or interview
  • candidates for whom English is a second language are required to take and achieve a passing score in one of two tests: the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELT (International English Language Test). The following scores are the recommended minimum current1 test scores for English language proficiency for admission to the Graduate School of Education:
    IELTS1: 7 for General Test Score, no subtest can be lower than 6
    TOEFL1: 577 for paper test, 90 for Internet-based (IBT) test
1

Scores can be no more than two years old. See program descriptions for additional program-specific requirements.

Matriculation Requirements

Once admitted, teacher candidates must meet these requirements for matriculation:

  • proof of immunization against measles, meningitis, mumps, and rubella, to be submitted to Fordham University Office of Student Health Services
  • proof of baccalaureate degree in cases where student is admitted to the Graduate School of Education during the undergraduate senior year, to be submitted to the Graduate School of Education, admissions office
  • proof of registration for the first semester of coursework, under advisement of the appropriate ITE program coordinator

Program of Study

Course Title Credits
UEGE 5102Historical, Philosophical, and Multicultural Foundations of American Education3
CTGE 5155Special Education Foundations: Past, Present, Future 13
CTGE 5420Educating Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners: Pre K-123
CTGE 5165Consultation and Co-Teaching in Collaborative Classrooms3
CTGE 5277Clinical Seminar in Behavioral Environments for Adolescent Exceptional Learners 23
CTGE 5170Assessment of All Learners with Disabilities3
CTGE 5175Teaching English Language Arts and Social Studies in Inclusive Adolescence Classrooms 33
CTGE 5176Teaching Math and Science in Inclusive Adolescence Classrooms3
CTGE 5547Literacy and Learning Across the Curriculum3
PSGE 53023
CTGE 0708Adolescence Special Education Portfolio0
CTGE 5200Field Experience Seminar: Issues in Reflective Practice (taken twice)0
Total Credits30
1

Requires fieldwork hours with students with disabilities.

2

CTGE 6350 Positive Behavior Support and PSGE 6324 Environments for Managing Challenging Behaviors may also fulfill this requirement.

3

CTGE 5161 Differentiating Instruction for All Students may also fulfill this requirement.

Required Workshops

The workshops listed below are required of all Initial Teaching (M.S.T.) programs as well as certain other programs related to NY state licensure.

  • Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Workshop (EDGE 0210)
  • Dignity for All Students Training (EDGE 0260)
  • Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Training (EDGE 0220)
  • Schools Against Violence Education Workshop (EDGE 0230)

In addition to the workshops listed above, the following workshop is also required of students in this M.S.T. program:

Course Title Credits
EDGE 0270Autism Training Module0