Effective February 2004, New York State certification to teach Students with Disabilities requires an initial certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to Grade 2), Childhood Education (Grades 1-6), and/or Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12 in one of the content areas: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies or some Foreign Languages). Other certificates (e.g., Technology, Health, Speech) do not meet this requirement in New York State. (See http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert for information about teacher certification requirements that went into effect in February 2004.)
Applicants to Binghamton's programs in Special Education must hold or demonstrate eligibility for New York State certification to teach one of these age groups. If you do not hold one of the initial certificates required for this program, you may be eligible for Educational Studies or Inclusive Childhood Education (grades 1-6). At this time, we do not offer a dual certificate program leading to Adolescence Special Education.
If you already hold a Master's degree and only seek certification in Students with Disabilities, you may register for courses as a non-matriculated student and apply for certification through BOCES. Procedures to pursue this option are outlined here.
Master of Science in Education (MSEd) - Special Education
This program is designed to prepare teachers to operationalize "least restrictive environment" philosophies for children and youth with disabilities. Core themes are collaboration with families and other professionals, and pedagogy that respects and responds to individual differences.
For teachers with initial certification, this program provides knowledge and skills to fulfill various special education teacher roles in today's schools. Sufficient flexibility exists for 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 early childhood, childhood, or adolescence education programs may extend their knowledge and skills with students needing special education.
Completion of Binghamton's MSEd degree in Special Education and the NYS examination in Students with Disabilities leads to the initial/professional certificate in Students with Disabilities for the same age group as the initial certificate. 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 Graduate School Academic Policies).
Three program options are available, corresponding with the applicant's initial certificate:
Childhood Special Education - Grades 1 to 6
Adolescence Special Education - Grades 7 to 12
NOTE: After studying these web pages, direct questions about Binghamton University's special education programs to program coordinator Dr. Robert Carpenter at 777-3325 or rcarpent@binghamton.edu.
