SUNY Potsdam offers three certification pathways to prepare teachers to work with students receiving special education services in public schools. The programs have been designed to meet the regulations of the New York State Education Department, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and The Council for Exceptional Children standard.

Upon completion, candidates in the MSEd Inclusive and Special Education programs, will meet the academic requirements for certification in their current certification area, and be recommended for their Initial/Professional certification in one of the following levels:

• Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-Grade 2)
• Childhood Special Education (Grades 1-6)
• Adolescence Special Education (Grades 7-12, Generalist)

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Special Education M.S.Ed. candidates will be able to:

• administer a variety of educational assessment tools in inclusive and self-contained classrooms, demonstrating competencies in collecting and analyzing data to effectively support the academic, behavioral, social, and emotional development for students with special needs.
• demonstrate a solid knowledge base of the subjects they will teach.
• evaluate the impact of cultural and social contexts on students’ behaviors to develop a responsive intervention plan.
• collaborate in team meetings to provide a culturally responsive manner with families, school professionals, and communities to provide supporting programs and services.

Additional Degree Information

This program provides the academic preparation required for Initial/Professional certification in special education. However, applicants for certification will need to meet additional state testing and other requirements to be eligible for certification. Questions about certification should be addressed to the Office of Teacher Certification and Field Experiences, 111 Satterlee Hall.

Student progress is carefully monitored throughout the MSEd Special Education programs based on demonstration of appropriate knowledge, skills and dispositions. Students are provided with information on program expectations in their first semester. Students not making satisfactory progress will be counseled by their adviser and may be dropped from the program.

Special Education Course Requirements

A minimum of 36 credit hours with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required for the granting of any of the MSEd Special Education degrees.