A teacher watching a video on a tablet with a young student.

Master of Science  in
Special Education (Inclusion)

Meet the Needs of Every Student in Your Elementary School Classroom (Grades 1-6)

Learn how to help students with learning disabilities and behavioral problems keep up in school and gain the skills they need to achieve ongoing success.

If you're already certified in childhood education, the 30-credit master's in special education with inclusion emphasis prepares you to successfully teach students with various disabilities present in your general education classes.

This master's degree leads to professional certification in elementary education in New York State.

Program of Study

programofstudy

This curriculum is designed to be completed part-time and does not require practicum or internship experiences. Classes are held online or on campus in the evening to accommodate teaching schedules.


Special Education Courses

  • Introduction to Human Exceptionality
  • Instructional Environments and Practices for Students with Disabilities
  • Developing Reading Comprehension and Content Knowledge for Students with Disabilities
  • Math and Inquiry Instruction for Students with Disabilities
  • Managing School and Classroom-Wide Student Behavior


Educational Psychology Courses

  • Basic Data Analysis or Statistical Methods I
  • One of the following (elective): Educational Psychology, Assessment in Education, or Advanced Educational Psychology
  • Capstone Research Project

Literacy Courses (choose two)

  • Children's Literature
  • Literacy in Society
  • Teaching Writing
  • Integrated Literacy Instruction
     


Additional Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact the Pathways Into Education (PIE) Center at [email protected]​​​​​​​.

This program is approved for licensure or certification in New York State.
For more information on Professional Licensure Disclosure, please see the Graduate Bulletin.

Content

NYS TEACHER CERTIFICATION

The master's in special education inclusion prepares general childhood education teachers with initial NYS teacher certification to teach students with disabilities in inclusive elementary school classrooms.

The program leads to professional certification in the area of your initial certification, but does not lead to certification in teaching students with disabilities.

If you want to refocus your teaching career and work primarily with mentally disabled and/or behaviorally disordered children, the special education graduate internship program will qualify you to teach in special education classrooms.

Teacher helping student in class

Admissions Requirements

admissions
Deadlines
  • Fall: March 15
  • Spring: Not available
  • Summer: March 15

There is no departmental assistantship consideration for this program.

Required Application Materials
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Three letters of recommendation


Supplemental Documents

Prior teaching certificate in Elementary/Childhood Education

 

Available information for applicants.

 

Special Notes

NY State Certification program. This program is not available to international applicants. Full consideration will be given to applicants who apply by the Priority Review Deadline. Prior teaching certificate in Elementary/Childhood Education required. This program does not lead to certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities. 

Applicants to this program should include copies of teaching certifications held. Admission is contingent on proof of valid New York State Teaching Certification.

Please note: This program is licensure qualifying. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions.  If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

Accreditation

The University at Albany is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.


 

Logo for the AAQEP - Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation
Accreditation Details

The programs listed below have been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through June 30, 2028. Full accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.


AAQEP-Accredited Programs and Annual Reports at the University at Albany


Advanced Graduate Certificate Programs


Master of Science Programs

Student Learning Objectives


Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Master of Science
  • Students will demonstrate a broad knowledge of the theoretical basis of educational psychology.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of the research basis of educational psychology and will have methodological competence to carry out primary statistical analyses and to evaluate the credibility of research findings.
  • Students will be able to design and carry out a small-scale research study that addresses a relevant issue in the field of educational psychology.
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Careers and Advisement

The Pathways Into Education (PIE) Center is the central office on campus serving undergraduate, graduate, and prospective students interested in pursuing careers in education and programs leading to teacher certification.

Please call or email to schedule an appointment.

Graduate Advisement:
Email Graduate Advisement
518-442-3529

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