The Special Education and Literacy 1 MS program was updated effective Summer 2024. The new program requirements are reflected below. Students admitted prior to Summer 2024 will follow the prior degree requirements outlined at the 2023 Special Education & Literacy I M.S. Degree Program page.
Students who are completing the prior program (Spring 2024 and prior) must complete their degree requirements and be awarded their degree by Summer 2026 (no later than August 31, 2026) in order to comply with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Additional details regarding this requirement can be found at the NYSED degree requirements pdf.
This program leads to the graduate degree needed for professional teacher certification in the area of Childhood (1-6) and for initial/professional certification in Literacy Specialist (all grades), and Students with Disabilities (all grades). A minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA is required for admission.
Graduates of our MS in Special Education and Literacy degrees are certified to work with students who encounter the most difficulty with literacy, and to coach and mentor other teachers. In order to ensure that these specialists are appropriately qualified to receive literacy specialist certification, students in this degree program must receive a B or better in practicum courses before being allowed to take the capstone classes. These practicum courses include: Ltl 601, Ltl 619 and Ltl 623. In addition, students must also receive a B or better in the final practicum experience Ltl 620. Students receiving a B- or lower in such courses have the following options: a) retake the course for a better grade; b) request admission to a different degree program. This latter option might require taking additional courses.
Teaching is a profession. Master’s students have professional responsibilities to their students, their peers, their classmates and instructors, and to society at large. Students in the master’s program will be working with children and other professionals in educational contexts, including, schools, community centers, and other sites of learning. Their professional responsibilities include following through on commitments made to children and schools, being appropriately prepared and on time for all interactions/lessons, maintaining confidentiality and respect, and interacting with all stakeholders/participants in a professional manner. Professional interactions include everything from dressing appropriately for the situation to maintaining appropriate language both in talking with and talking about others. Failure to meet professional responsibilities can result in a student’s academic dismissal from the program.
Program Requirements - 46 credits
Required Courses
- Ltl 500 (3) Classroom Literacy Instruction
- Ltl 505 (3) Academic Literacy Across Instructional Contexts, 5-12
- Ltl 601 (3) Practicum: Instruction to Prevent Literacy Difficulties
- Ltl 619 (3) Practicum: Writing in the Classroom
- Ltl 620 (6) Practicum: Differentiated Literacy Instruction and Coaching
- Ltl 623 (3) Practicum: Differentiated Literacy Instruction
- Spe 651 (3) Culturally Responsive Literacy Intervention in the Content Areas
- Spe 652 (3) Anti-Racist Math and Scientific Inquiry Instruction
- Spe 653 (3) Fostering Safe and Supportive Educational Environments
- Spe 654 (3) Teaching Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities
- Spe 655 (3) Assessment Practices for Students with Disabilities
- Spe 658 (3) Curriculum and Instruction: Collaboration, Strategies, and Differentiation
- Spe 669 (3) Educating Students with Emotional Disorders and Challenging Behaviors: Advanced Tiers of Support
- Spe 680A (3) Clinical Internship: Teaching Students with Disabilities
- Spe 681 (1) Clinical Internship Seminar: Teaching Students with Disabilities
Final Culminating Project: successful completion of the final culminating project milestone
Additional Program/NYSED Requirements
- Needs of Students with Autism Training
- DASA Training
Please note: This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. 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 you have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.
As an approved teacher preparation program with the New York State Education Department, there may be additional certification requirements applicable. These requirements may include, but are not limited to additional workshops. Certification procedures and requirements are outlined on the School of Education’s Teacher Certification website.
Federal Licensure/Certification Disclosure
Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified.
The Special Education & Literacy I MS program at the University at Albany is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State. Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that the Special Education & Literacy I MS program at the University at Albany meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the additional following U.S. States: none.
It is important to note that the University at Albany is not the licensure/certification authority in other U.S. States and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in other U.S. States and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.