Master of Education in Adolescent Special Education (M.Ed. SpEd)

Empire State College’s M.Ed. in Adolescent Special Education program is a 33-42 credit program available fully online, but requiring access to New York State schools. The program’s philosophy and subsequent courses are based on an inclusive model that prepares teacher candidates for collaboration and co-teaching in the inclusion classroom. Completion of this degree program and passing scores on the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations lead to NYS Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist Initial and Professional certification. It is designed for those already teaching and certified in New York State, but looking for additional certification in Students with Disabilities.

The M.Ed. in Adolescent Special Education program’s goal is twofold: 1) to produce caring and highly specialized teachers who have the ability to meet the challenges in today’s inclusion classrooms; and 2) to produce teacher candidates who facilitate the growth of their students by empowering students to actively participate in their learning and reach their highest potential. Particular attention will be given to instructional design for the inclusive and co-teaching classrooms; special education identification and assessment practices; classroom management and behavioral interventions; foundations of research with an emphasis on research methods, statistical analysis and interpretation; and applied behavioral analysis for severe stereotypic behavior.

Certified teachers in this program will spend one summer term (4 weeks) under the supervision of a critic teacher and must successfully complete a minimum of‌; 50 hours of classroom field observations in inclusion, special education, and self-contained classrooms; and a capstone action research project to meet program requirements leading to Initial and Professional certification.

Program Delivery

This is a fully online program. However, the clinical summer Residency experience (4 weeks) must be completed in a New York State school.

Partnership with New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) Education and Learning Trust

NYSUT members may complete selected M.Ed. in Adolescent Special Education core courses through the NYSUT Education and Learning Trust.