Advanced Preparation in Special Education - MSEd

Program Coordinator

Timothy Lackaye
(212) 772-4777
917 West
tlackaye@hunter.cuny.edu

This master’s degree program is designed to provide advanced training to certified special education teachers who need graduate work leading to a master’s degree for professional certification in special education. It is also designed for those with special education certification who are seeking to further their knowledge/skills and gain an additional age-level certificate (birth to grade 2 or grades 1-6).

This program offers three tracks:

Track 1: Those seeking professional certification in Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6 with a concentration in Learning Disabilities.
Track 2: Those seeking professional certification in Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6 with a concentration in Behavior Disorders.
Track 3: Those seeking professional certification in Students with Disabilities Birth to Grade 2.

Admission Requirements

New York State initial or professional teacher certification in Students with Disabilities grades 1-6 or birth to grade 2 or New York State permanent certification in special education, K-12.
An undergraduate BA or BS degree with a GPA of 2.8 or higher from an approved college or a graduate degree in special education (any age-level) with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Two professional references to be included with the application for admission.
A personal statement to be included as part of the application for admission.

Progress Standards

Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to continue in the program.
Students with more than one course grade below B in the first 12 credits will not be allowed to continue in the program.
A student who receives a grade of F in any course in the first 12 credits will not be allowed to continue in the program.
Students with one grade of IN (Incomplete) within the first 12 credits are restricted from registering for more than one additional course. Those with two or more INs will not be allowed to register for any courses. It is recommended that students with two or more INs take an official leave of absence while they are completing their IN courses.

Advanced Preparation in Special Education Course of Study

Total Credits: 30 credits

Learning Disabilities (Track 1)

16-Credit Core of Courses

Plus

14 credits of electives from coursework related to—other special education topics, behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorders, early childhood special education (could qualify for additional age level), blind/VI, deaf/HH, gifted and talented (could apply for a NYS extension), and severe/multiple disabilities (could apply for a NYS annotation)—to be determined jointly in mandatory consultation with a program adviser. (Note: written approval of a student’s plan is required.)

Representative of the spectrum of choices, but not an exhaustive list of the elective options.

Behavior Disorders (Track 2)

Total Credits: 30 credits

18-credit Core of Courses

Plus

12 credits of electives from coursework related to—other special education topics, behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorders, early childhood special education (could qualify for additional age level), blind/VI, deaf/HH, gifted and talented (could apply for a NYS extension), and severe/multiple disabilities (could apply for a NYS annotation)—to be determined jointly with mandatory consultation with a program adviser. (Note: written approval of a student’s plan is required.)

Representative of the spectrum of choices, but not an exhaustive list of the elective options.

Early Childhood Special Education (Track 3)

Total Credits: 30 credits

17-Credit Core of Courses

Plus

Or

Plus

13 credits of electives from coursework related to—other special education topics, behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorders, early childhood special education (could qualify for additional age level), blind/VI, deaf/HH, gifted and talented (could apply for a NYS extension), and severe/multiple disabilities (could apply for a NYS annotation)—to be determined jointly with mandatory consultation with a program adviser. (Note: written approval of a student’s plan is required.)

Representative of the spectrum of choices, but not an exhaustive list of the elective options.

Exit Standards

An overall GPA of 3.0.
Students must demonstrate consistently satisfactory written English in all course work.
Student teaching , Supervised Practicum, and Clinical Teaching Lab:

A. Students are required to attain a minimum grade of B in all student teaching, practica and clinical teaching lab courses. Students receiving B-, C+, or C for any one of these courses must apply to the department chairperson for permission to retake that course, which may be repeated only once. Any student who receives a grade of F in a fieldwork or clinical teaching course will not be allowed to continue in the program.

B. Students must complete all required days and hours for each of the student teaching, practica and clinical teaching lab courses. Students not completing the minimum required days and hours will receive a course grade of IN for that course, prohibiting them from graduating.
Culminating Activity—Students must perform satisfactorily on a two-part culminating activity:
A comprehensive research-based oral presentation on a current special education issue
and either an original written research proposal
or a written proposal for competitive grant funding.
Students must pass the School of Education technology assessment.