Initial Adolescence and Special Education - Overview
Initial Adolescence/Special Education (7-12) Generalist, M.Ed.
- Content Areas: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Spanish, Physics
*Students enter this program in the Fall and Spring Semesters
The Initial Certification in Adolescence with Special Education program is designed for candidates holding a bachelor's degree in one of the following content areas: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies, or Spanish. Students enrolled in the program have the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills needed for teaching general and special education students (grades 7-12) in their content areas. The program is designed for post-baccalaureate students seeking a Master of Education degree leading to initial and professional certification.
Education with a focus on the Student
The focus of this program is to learn how to teach the many types of learners found in today's secondary classrooms. Throughout the program, students will study the pertinent research on how pupils learn and will integrate course content through field experience, simulations, and student teaching.
This exciting, dynamic new program is a 45-credit, 4-semester program leading to dual certification (Initial Adolescence with Students with Disabilities Generalist 7-12) in the candidates' content area. Courses are carefully designed and sequenced. They will be taught using a team approach, with expertise from General Education, Special Education, and Literacy faculty working collaboratively. All courses in Development strand incorporate universal design, technology, lesson planning, diversity, field work, and research in meaningful ways.
Program Structure/Schedule
Full time students take 12 credits each of their first three semesters and nine credits their fourth and final semester when they are student teaching. Fall and spring semesters are 15 weeks; summer semester will be 12 weeks. 150 hours of field observation/participation experience (OPE) are required by New York State. Students do one placement for 50 hours in the fall semester; one placement for 50 hours from mid-January - mid-March; and one placement of 50 hours from April - mid-June. Cohorts begin every fall. Each cohort will be guided by a team of faculty that reviews student progress throughout their program; provides information and preparation for the NYS Teacher Certification Examination, including required workshops; monitors thesis/projects; and reviews student portfolios during their Student Teaching Seminar.
