Adolescent Special Education for Childhood Special Educators Advanced Graduate Certificate

This program prepares certified childhood special educators with knowledge regarding best practices in special education so they can also serve those learners with special needs at the adolescent level. Students will become familiar with research-validated components of development and instruction at the adolescent level. The program meets the academic requirements for initial and professional certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities Generalist (grades 7 - 12).

Teaching is a profession. Certificate students have professional responsibilities to their students, their peers, their classmates and instructors, and to society at large. Students in the 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.

Please Note: This program is not eligible for federal financial aid.

Admission Requirements

• N.Y. State certification (initial or professional) for Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Childhood level (grades 1 - 6)
• A master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees
• Appropriate required course distributions:
  • General Core in Liberal Arts and Sciences: 30 semester hours (including coursework in artistic expression, communication, information retrieval, humanities, Language other than English, written expression)
  • Content Core: 30 semester hours in Liberal Arts and Sciences including 6 semester hours in each of the following areas - English Language Arts; Concepts in Historical and Social Sciences; Scientific Processes; Mathematical processes
  • Pedagogical Cores: 21 semester hours including Human Development and Learning; Teaching Students with Disabilities; Foundations of Education; Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment; 6 semester hours in Teaching Literacy
• Completion of DASA (Dignity for All Students Acts) training
• Completion of Autism requirement
• A 3.0 or better (out of a 4.0) quality grade point average
• Three letters of recommendation from those familiar with the applicant's teaching or academic work
• A compelling written statement of intent or reason for pursuing the advanced certificate in special education

Degree Requirements (15 credits, 5 courses)

• E Psy 522    Adolescent Psychology (3)
• E Spe 655    Assessment of Students with Disabilities (3)
• E Spe 658    Curriculum & Instruction for Adolescents with Disabilities: Collaboration, Strategies & Co-Teaching (3)
• E Spe 580    Practicum: Teaching Students with Diverse Learning Needs (3)
• Elective - As advised (3)

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 (https://www.albany.edu/education/teacher_certification.php).