The Division of Special Education offers three programs leading to a Master of Science in Special Education and two programs leading to a Master of Science in Special Education and Literacy. Those wishing to pursue doctoral study in special education should inquire about the special education concentration within the Ph.D. program in Education Psychology. Information is available on the Web at www.albany.edu/special-education.
Admissions
In addition to the general University requirements for admission to graduate study, applicants to most of the programs in special education must hold a provisional or initial teaching certification. Applicants must have teaching certification in Childhood Education (Elementary). Students without teacher certification or with certifications in other areas would need to enter the two year Master of Science in Special Education and Literacy program. Typical requisites for admissions include one of the following:
Applicants to the Special Education programs also must participate in one of two full day interviews typically offered in the spring and submit references regarding their academic abilities and child interaction skills. In addition, certified teachers applying to the program must submit their New York State Teacher Certification Examination scores. Students are usually admitted to begin the program in the summer session. Please contact the special education office for more specific admission information and the dates of the interviews. Applications should be submitted by April 1st.
Degree Requirements
MS in Special Education (Specialization in Emotional and Behavioral Disorders)
Applicants must have a New York State teaching certification at the childhood
(elementary) level. This program leads to initial and professional teaching
certificates in childhood and Teaching Students with Disabilities with a focus
on students with emotional and behavioral disorders. It includes a 29 credit
core and 6 credits in the specialized area of teaching students with emotional
and behavioral disorders. This program requires 46 weeks of practicum and internship
experiences in special education.
MS in Special Education - 35 Credits
Core Courses (29 credits)
E Rdg 500 (3)
E Spe 580 (3)
E Spe 650 (3)
E Spe 651 (3)
E Spe 652 (3)
E Spe 653 (3)
E Spe 654 (3)
E Spe 680 (3)
E Spe 681 (2)
E Spe 682 (3) **
Choose 2 courses from the following in special education electives (6 credits)
E Spe 669 (3)
E Spe 673 (3)
E Spe xxx (3) by advisement
** Students not wishing to pursue the focus on students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) may register for two semesters of E Spe 680 and 681 instead of one semester of E Spe 680 and 681 and one semester of E Spe 682 and 681.
Students have an option of taking an additional course, E Spe 567, Inclusive Middle Childhood Education, for 3 credits to obtain initial/professional certification in Middle Childhood Generalist (5-9) and Students with Disabilities (Middle Childhood Generalists 5-9).
MS in Special Education (Inclusion and Special Education)
Applicants must have initial NYS Teacher Certification in Childhood Education and Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Childhood Level. Upon completion of this program, students will receive professional certification in the areas of their initial certificates. If students are certified at the Middle Childhood Level, they will receive professional certificates at that level too. This program does not require any practicum or internship experiences and can be completed on a part-time basis.
MS in Special Education - 30 Credits
E Spe 651 (3)
E Psy 531 (3)
E Spe 652 (3)
E Psy 680 (3)
Choose 2 courses in English Language Arts (6)
MS in Special Education (Inclusion)
Applicants must have initial NYS Teacher Certification in Childhood (Elementary) Education. This program does not result in certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities, but rather, is designed to prepare general education teachers to teach students with disabilities in inclusionary childhood classrooms. If students are certified at the Middle Childhood Level, they will receive professional certificates at that level too. This program does not require any practicum or internship experiences and can be completed on a part-time basis. Students will receive professional certification in the area of their initial certification.
MS in Special Education - 30 Credits
E Spe 651 (3)
E Psy 531 (3)
E Spe 652 (3)
E Psy 680 (3)
Choose 2 courses in English Language Arts (6)
Masters in Special Education and Literacy - 67 Credits (2 years)
This program is for applicants who DO NOT hold NYS Initial Teacher Certification in Childhood Education. It leads to three New York State Certifications: Childhood Education, Special Education at the Childhood level, and Literacy at the Birth to Grade 6 level. This program requires intensive practicum and internship experiences and is the only program at the University at Albany that will permit a student without a Childhood Education certificate to receive certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities. This is the only program at Albany that provides certification in elementary education.
Required Courses - 52 Credits
E Psy 521 (3)
E Psy 615 (3)
E Rdg 500 (3)
E Rdg 600 (3)
E Rdg 610 (3)
E Rdg 620 (6)
E Spe 564 (3)
E Spe 565 (3)
E Spe 580 (3)
E Spe 650 (3)
E Spe 651 (3)
E Spe 652 (3)
E Spe 653 (3)
E Spe 654 (3)
E Spe 680 (6)
E Spe 681 (1)
Elective Courses � 15 Credits
Choose 2 courses for 6 credits (6)
Students have an option of taking an additional course, E Spe 567, Inclusive Middle Childhood Education, for 3 credits to obtain Initial/Professional Middle Childhood Certification and Middle Childhood Students with Disabilities, 5-9.
MS in Special Education and Literacy - 40 Credits
Applicants must have initial NYS certification at the childhood level (elementary), and they will receive professional certification in Childhood Education and initial and professional certifications in Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Childhood Level and Literacy (Birth-Grade 6) upon completion of the program. If students also hold NYS certification in middle childhood education upon entry, they will also receive professional certification in Middle Childhood Education and initial and professional certificates in Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Middle Childhood Level.
E Rdg 500 (3)
E Rdg 600 (3)
E Rdg 610 (3)
E Rdg 620 (6)
E Spe 580 (3)
E Spe 650 (3)
E Spe 651 (3)
E Spe 652 (3)
E Spe 653 (3)
E Spe 654 (3)
E Spe 680 (3)
E Spe 681 (1)
Choose 1 course for 3 credits (3)
Students have an option of taking an additional course, E Spe 567, Inclusive Middle Childhood Education, for 3 credits to obtain Initial/Professional Middle Childhood Generalist (5-9) and Students with Disabilities Middle Childhood Generalist (5-9).