Childhood Special Education (M.S.T., on campus and online)

45 credits

NYSED 25433/25443

The master's degree program in childhood special education is an integrated dual-certificate program, and leads to endorsement for New York state teacher certification as a childhood teacher (grade 1-6) and as a teacher of children with disabilities in childhood education.

The program includes coursework in child development, instructional practices for children in regular and special-education settings, and professional studies. The field experiences are coordinated with courses to help candidates understand and apply theory in effective practice. Student-teaching experience is gained in both regular and special-education settings. This program is nationally recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children.


CIP Code

13.1017 - Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary 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 to all childhood programs must meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School of Education and the requirements for admission to initial teacher education programs.

In addition, applicants for any of the childhood programs must have the following:

  • An undergraduate degree from an accredited university in one of the liberal arts or sciences.  For example, English, American, or comparative literature; mathematics; an area of science; modern languages; media studies; women's studies; political science; computer science; information science; communications; history; sociology; anthropology; economics; the arts; or psychology.
  • College-level study in the following general education core areas: artistic expression, concepts in history and social sciences, a language other than English, scientific processes, mathematical processes, written analysis and expression, and communication

In addition, candidates for the bilingual extension must provide evidence of their competence in a language other than English by fulfilling one of the following three options:

  1. Taking and obtaining a passing score on the ACTFL Language Test (oral and written) in the target language;
  2. Documentation in transcripts of having completed undergraduate studies in the target language; or
  3. Agreeing to complete successfully two courses in the target language

Program of Study

Course Title Credits
UEGE 5102Historical, Philosophical, and Multicultural Foundations of American Education3
CTGE 5227Integrated Mathematics and Science for Childhood Education3
CTGE 5234Family, Community, and All Young Children3
CTGE 5316Psychology of Child Development and Learning3
CTGE 5420Educating Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners: Pre K-123
CTGE 5534
CTGE 5200
Beginning Reading and Writing in Inclusive Classrooms
and Field Experience Seminar: Issues in Reflective Practice
3
CTGE 5548Multiliteracies and Technology Across the Curriculum in Inclusive Classrooms3
CTGE 5066Teaching Social Studies to Children3
CTGE 5155Special Education Foundations: Past, Present, Future3
CTGE 5170Assessment of All Learners with Disabilities3
CTGE 6255STEAM: Projects, Problems, and Possibilities3
CTGE 6261Critical Digital Literacies and Futures for Educators3
CTGE 6340Interventions Read / Write3
CTGE 6350Positive Behavior Support3
CTGE 5222Special Education Student Teaching3
CTGE 0718Special Education Portfolio0
Total Credits45

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 workshops are also required of students in this M.S.T. program:

Course Title Credits
EDGE 0250Health and Physical Education Training0
EDGE 0270Autism Training Module0