M.S. in Adolescence Education and Special Education

Prepares non-certified graduate candidates who are pursuing adolescence initial certification in English, LOTE-French or Spanish, or Social Studies 7-12, and certification to teach students with disabilities at the same developmental level, and results in the Master's degree in Special Education. (42 credits)

New York State Requirements: Adolescence Certificates

Candidates who are seeking the Adolescence and Students with Disabilities Certificate are required to have preparation in their content area. Listed below are the content area requirements for the different adolescence certification fields (i.e., English, Languages Other Than English, and Social Studies). Before admission, transcripts will be reviewed to see if these requirements have already been met in the candidate's chosen content area. If not, applicants must take additional coursework to meet these requirements. This coursework must be completed before student teaching.

English

  • At least 30 credits of coursework, including British, American, African American, Latin American, and Asian literature representing different historical eras and significant literary movements.
  • Candidates must demonstrate skills in the teaching of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing.
  • Candidates may have to do additional coursework to meet national standards in the subject of the certificate.

Languages Other Than English (LOTE)

  • At least 30 credits of coursework, including literature, speaking, and writing.
  • The candidates must be fluent in the language to be taught and knowledgeable of its cultural dimensions.
  • Candidates may have to do additional coursework to meet national standards in the subject of the certificate.

Social Studies

  • At least 30 credits of content must include study in the following: economics and government; 21 semester hours in United States history, world history, and geography. (Courses in U.S. and world history, geography, economics, government, and political science are acceptable.)
  • Candidates may have to do additional coursework to meet national standards in the subject of the certificate.

Degree Requirements

M.S. in Special Education Dual Initial Certification Requirements - Adolescence

Course

Course Name

Credit Hours

GAED 528

The Adolescent

3

GAED 533

Field Experience I (50 Hours)

0

GAED 534

Field Experience II (50 Hours)

0

GEDU 501

Issues in Student Health and Safety

0

GEDU 520

History and Philosophy of Education

3

GEDU 526

Diversity, Social Justice, and Schooling

3

GRDG 507

Teaching Reading to Learners with Special Needs: Adolescence

3

GRDG 534

Literacy Instruction in the Content Areas

3

GSED 501

Special Education in Today's Schools

3

GSED 502

Methods and Strategies for Teaching Students with Exceptional Learning Needs

3

GSED 512

Behavior Management in the Inclusive Classroom: Adolescence

3

GSED 516

Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation of Students with Special Needs

3

GSED 556

Fieldwork III (50 Hours)

0

GSED 586

Student Teaching Seminar: Special Education and Adolescence

0

GSED 591

Student Teaching: Special Education and Adolescence

6

One content methods course chosen from:

3

GAED 541

Effective Practice in Social Studies Education

 

GAED 542

Effective Practice in English Education

 

GAED 543

Effective Practice in LOTE Education

 

One content methods course chosen from:

3

GAED 537

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in Social Studies Education

 

GAED 538

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in English Education

 

GAED 539

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in LOTE Education

 

One culminating content-based course chosen from:

3

GAED 561

Research in Social Studies Education

 

GAED 562

Research in English Education

 

GAED 563

Research in LOTE Education

 

 

Total credit hours:

42

Field Experiences and Student Teaching

Field experiences are required for certification and the master's degree. Candidates must complete 150 hours of field work before student teaching. Student teaching is full-time for 14 weeks and includes two placements - one as a special education teacher and one as a general education teacher in Grades 7-12. One of the placements will be in a high-needs school.

To qualify for student teaching, candidates must:

  • Complete all degree requirements with the exception of GAED 561 or 562 or 563
  • Complete the NYS requirements for the adolescence content area - English, LOTE, or Social Studies
  • Pass the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)

Three other tests (i.e., Secondary A.T.S.-W, the CST in the certificate area, and Grades 7-12 Students with Disabilities CST) must be completed before state certification is granted but can be taken before, during, or after student teaching.

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