Graduate School of Education

Master of Science in Education: 42 credits
Master of Education: 42 credits
This 42-credit program in Dual Language/Bilingual Childhood Special Education is designed for individuals who currently hold a valid New York State certification in general education at the Childhood level. The program prepares dual language/bilingual (Spanish/English) teachers and prospective educators for work in special education and inclusion settings (grades 1 through 6), with the option of teaching in dual language/bilingual classrooms.

You will explore the academic, social and political issues surrounding the education of English-language learners and the education of children with language and learning disabilities and/or emotional problems. Through the study of developmental variations and learning problems, you will gain a diverse teaching repertoire and an understanding of the needs of all children. In turn, you will learn to create democratic learning environments that value cultural heritage and dual-language development.

Through rich discussions and hands-on classroom experiences, you will develop a deep understanding of the wide range of academic, linguistic and emotional needs of bilingual and special needs students.

Special attention will be paid to learning to work in urban settings. In collaboration with parents (both Spanish- and English-speaking), colleagues and the community, you will learn to act as an advocate for the children you teach.

Certification in Education
When you graduate, you will be eligible for New York State initial certification in Childhood Special Education, prepared to work with a wide range of monolingual and bilingual children in grades 1 through 6. The program leads to professional certification for those who complete all New York State requirements and complete two years of classroom teaching beyond the mentored experience. You will also earn the Bilingual Extension.

Supervised Fieldwork/Advisement
During one academic semester, while you take courses, you will gain teaching experience and intensive advisory support through supervised fieldwork/advisement. If you are not currently working in an elementary school setting, you will do your student teaching with placements at both the grades 1 through 3 level and the grades 4 through 6 level, with experiences with bilingual and special education populations. Working teachers and assistants (in approved settings) who stay with a particular grade in the age range may use their own classroom as their primary site for college-supervised teaching, but they will also need additional college-supervised field experiences with children of diverse populations and other age(s) within the certification range. This requirement will be met through the 3-credit practicum/student teaching experience during the summer.