Early Childhood Development and Learning: Diverse Children and Families with Annotation in Severe/Multiple Disabilities

Admission Requirements

Track 1

For applicants who do not hold NYS certification

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0;
   or
   A master’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.5.
2. A liberal arts or science major or interdisciplinary concentration of at least 30 credits.
3. General education core in the liberal arts and sciences to include: artistic expression; communication; information retrieval; concepts in history and social sciences; humanities; a language other than English; scientific and mathematical processes; and written analysis and expression.
4. Submission of official score report on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), except applicants who are certified teachers or school administrators and hold a graduate degree.

Track 2

For applicants who hold NYS certification in an area other than Early Childhood

1. Any New York State teacher certificate other than Early Childhood Education.
2. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0;
   or
   A master’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.5.
3. Submission of official score report on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), except applicants who are certified teachers or school administrators and hold a graduate degree.

Track 3

For applicants who hold NYS certification in Early Childhood Education

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0;
   or
   A master’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.5.
2. New York State initial/permanent teacher certification in Early Childhood or PreK-Grade 6. Those holding permanent certification must either show proof that they have satisfied the New York State requirements regarding wellness, child abuse, drug abuse, fire safety, and violence prevention or take
   HED 71500
    , a one credit course covering these topics.
3. Submission of official score report on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), except applicants who are certified teachers or school administrators and hold a graduate degree.

Progress Standards

1. Minimum GPA for Retention - Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain at Hunter College. Students whose grades fall below this standard are required to raise their GPAs to at least 3.0 within one semester.
2. No F in the first two semesters—students who receive a grade of F or WU in any course in the first two semesters will not be allowed to continue in the program.
3. Progress holds due to Incomplete Grades - Students with two or more INCs will not be allowed to register for any courses.
4. Key Course Performance Standards

   • Students must receive a grade of at least a B in key program courses. 

   • Students who receive a grade of F or WU in key program courses may not continue in the program. 

   • Key Program Courses are identified by the label (KC) in the course title.

Course of Study

Academic Plan

ECSB2-MSED

Subplans

• TRACK 1: ECSMDLNYSC
• TRACK 2: ECSMDANYSM
• TRACK 3: ECSMDANYSC

Total Credits

• ECSMDLNYSC: 53-60
• ECSMDANYSM: 42-46
• ECSMDANYSC: 42

Courses for Tracks 1, 2 and 3

• SPED 70000 - Issues and Practices in Educating Students with Disabilities
• SPED 70650 - Strategies and Curriculum Adaptations for Learners with Severe/Multiple Disabilities
• SPED 70700 - Research Seminar: Issues in Special Education (KC)
• SPED 74600 - Educational Implications of Learners Who Are Deafblind
• SPED 79000 - Foundations and Educational Implications of Severe/Multiple Disabilities (KC)
• SPED 79100 - Alternative Assessment for Learners with Low Incidence Disabilities: Visual Impairment, Deafblindness, and Severe Disabilities (KC)
• SPED 79200 - Language Development and Alternative Communication Systems for Learners with Low Incidence Disabilities: Severe Disabilities including Deafblindness
• SPED 79300 - Total Communication for Learners with Severe/Multiple Disabilities
• SPEDE 77000 - Individualized Planning, Implementation and Progress Monitoring in Early Childhood (Birth through PreK) Environments and Curricula (KC)
• SPEDE 77100 - Autism Spectrum Disorder: Characteristics and Implications for Intervention
• SPEDE 77200 - Positive Behavior Support (PBS) and Its Application to Young Children with Special Needs
• SPEDE 77300 - Families, Parenting, and Family-Professional Partnerships: Theories, Research, and Practices (KC)
• SPEDE 77400 - Adaptations for IndividualLearners Across the K-2 Curriculum (KC)

•      
       - And -

• SPEDE 79550 - Student Teaching in Early Childhood Special Education with an Annotation in Severe Multiple Disabilities (KC)

•      - Or -

• SPEDE 79551 - Student Teaching in Early Childhood Special Education with an Annotation in Severe Multiple Disabilities (KC)

• - plus -

• SPEDE 79552 - Supervised Practicum in Early Childhood Special Education with an Annotation in Severe Multiple Disabilities (KC)

•      - Or -

• SPEDE 79553 - Supervised Practicum in Early Childhood Special Education with an Annotation in Severe Multiple Disabilities (KC)

Exit Requirements

1. An overall GPA of 3.0.
2. Tracks 2 and 3 students must maintain a valid and appropriate NYS certification.
3. Perform satisfactorily on a two-part culminating activity (partial requirements of SPED 70700 , Research Seminar: Issues in Special Education):
   
   a comprehensive research-based oralpresentation on a current special education issue
   - and either -
   an original written research proposal
   - or -
   a written proposal for competitive grant funding.
    
4. Complete the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) workshop.