Special Education, Childhood, Grades 1-6

For students with at least provisional or initial certification, this program prepares teachers with appropriate knowledge and skills to fulfill various special education teacher roles in today's schools. Sufficient flexibility exists in the program to allow individuals from undergraduate programs in special education to either deepen their skills in the field or to link their special education foundation with the larger context of general education. Similarly, graduates of elementary or secondary education programs may extend their knowledge and skills with students needing special education.

 

This program is designed to prepare teachers who can work collaboratively with colleagues in settings that operationalize "least restrictive environment" philosophies for children with disabilities. Collaboration skills, adaptation of curricula, consultant teacher strategies and modification of pedagogy to better respect individual differences are core themes in this program.

 

The completion of this degree and other requirements leads to permanent certification* in New York state to teach special education at the level for which the teacher is initially certified. Students must complete the degree within five years of matriculating in the program and must earn a cumulative average of B or better to graduate. See also: Graduate School Academic Policies.

 

*Note: New York State no longer offers permanent certification for those not holding provisional certification by February 2, 2004. Permanent certification has been replaced by professional certification. Teachers will only be eligible for special education certification with the age group of their general education certification (i.e., childhood - grades 1-6, or adolescence childhood - grades 7-12), and must have coursework designed for the appropriate age group. See http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert for information about new teacher certification regulations that became effective in February 2004.

 

If you are ONLY seeking certification in Special Education, neither our School nor a BOCES certification officer can tell you what courses you will need to take. If you need direction about specific courses, you must:

 

1. apply to NYSED for certification via transcript evaluation, and

    

2. complete the attached form to request course approval from NYSED.

    

To guarantee course availability for our matriculated students, non-matriculated students must wait to register until the week before classes start. At that point, many courses are filled. If you must take several courses, or one of the courses you hope to take is the Practicum in Special Education, and/or you have not yet earned the Master’s degree, please apply for admission to the graduate program in Special Education. Admission assures the opportunity to pre-register for courses and, when you complete a program approved by NYSED, the program recommends you for certification. (Transcript review is not necessary, and can actually impede the process.)

If you still prefer to apply for certification through transcript evaluation, please review procedures at NYSED website. Questions about that process should be directed to NYSED or a BOCES certification officer.

If you prefer to apply for admission to the graduate program in Special Education, please review the program information below and application information elsewhere on this website.

 

Special Education, Childhood

 

Minimum Requirements for Degree (courses are subject to change)

 

This program requires a minimum of 40 credit-hours. This program is for students who have certification to teach grades 1-6.

 

 

Elective Courses

Students must take at least two electives (8 credits) in consultation with the adviser. 

 

Supervised Internship

SPED 595. In-service Practicum and Seminar in Special Education 4 credits

 

Portfolio

Students complete a portfolio assessment as part of the degree requirements.

 

See Portfolio Requirements for more information.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: After browsing this website, direct questions about Binghamton University's special education programs to program coordinator Dr. Robert Carpenter at 777-3325 or rcarpent@binghamton.edu