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B.S. in Special Education

(HEGIS 0808) (Dual Certification)

The Bachelor of Science in Special Education program prepares candidates to become competent educators in settings that serve a variety of students. Competent educators master the principles of learning and the techniques of teaching all students. They make decisions and solve problems based upon their knowledge of educational issues, practices, and policies. They value contributions from all of their students and their families within the context of society, and they recognize the influence of political, social, historic, and economic factors on students' learning. The Department of Special Education offers teacher preparation that leads to New York Teacher Certification in areas of Childhood Education and Special Education (grades 1-6), Middle Childhood Education (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, French, Math, Physics, Social Studies, or Spanish) and Special Education (grades 5-9), or Adolescence Education (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, French, Math, Physics, Social Studies, or Spanish) and Special Education (grades 7-12). All education students must take an arts and science major. Those students seeking dual certification in Middle Childhood Education or Adolescence Education should major in the liberal arts area appropriate to fulfill the certification requirements of one of the subject areas listed above. It is strongly recommended that students meet with their education and arts and science faculty advisors each semester to plan their program of study.

The following competencies identified for the Bachelor of Science in Special Education are reflected in courses as well as student field experiences:

  • Each graduate will be competent in understanding the following foundations of general education and special education in our society:
    1. Historical developments in education and special education;
    2. Philosophical orientations in education and special education; and,
    3. Political developments in education and special education.
  • Each graduate will be competent in demonstrating the ability to assess student performance by:
    1. Demonstrating knowledge of principles, theories, and procedures of student assessments;
    2. Utilizing a variety of formal and informal assessment techniques to assess student progress and performance; and,
    3. Communicating assessment results for a variety of purposes.
  • Each graduate will be competent in demonstrating the ability to plan and evaluate individual and group educational plans collaboratively by:
    1. Identifying the legal basis for individual program planning;
    2. Planning and evaluating individual and group programs collaboratively with professionals, paraprofessionals, and family members; and,
    3. Developing an Individualized Education Plan.
  • Each graduate will be competent in demonstrating the ability to design and implement appropriate curricular, instructional, and environmental modifications to meet the needs of all students regardless of culture, religion, language, family situation, and academic achievement by:
    1. Modifying the curriculum and instruction of elementary and secondary education to include all students;
    2. Developing and implementing plans that encourage students to assume responsibility for their own behavior; and,
    3. Adapting the educational environment to enhance learning.
    To be eligible to apply for initial certification, students must complete all the requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Special Education; obtain a passing score on all required New York State teacher certification exams; complete the Drug Abuse, Violence Prevention, Child Abuse, and Fingerprinting workshops; maintain a G.P.A. of 2.5 or above; and, have satisfactorily met the competencies established by the Special Education Department.

    College-Wide Requirements 9 credits
    Click here to see college-wide requirements

    Core Requirements 33 credits
    LIB 1101 Information Literacy 1 
    Click here to see core requirements

    Major in Education 54 credits
    Recommended Course Sequence

    Upper Sophomore Year
    PSY 1001 General Psychology I 3 
    PSY 2015 Developmental Psychology I or  
    PSY 2016 Developmental Psychology II 3 

    Lower Junior Year
    EDU 1021 Education in Society 3 
    EDU 1081 Introduction to Exceptional Children 3 
    EDU 1100 Teaching with Technology 3 

    Upper Junior Year
    EDU 2108 Field Experience I and Seminar 3 
    EDU 2183 Behavior Management and Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners 3 
    EDU 2184 Assessment and Program Planning for Diverse Learners 3 
    EDU 3146 Literacy Acquisition I 3 

    Lower Senior Year
    EDU 3110 Field Experience II and Seminar 3 
    EDU 3186 Integrated Practices in the Content Areas 3 
    EDU 4149 Literacy Acquisition II 3 

    Upper Senior Year
    EDU 4150 Teaching Reading in the Content Area 3 
    EDU 4190 Integrated Practices in the Differentiated Classroom 6 
    EDU 4193 Integrated Education Student Teaching 3 
    Foreign Language (six credits in the same language, not including American Sign Language. Sign language may be used only by students requiring special accommodations) 6 

    Major in Liberal Arts and Sciences 36 credits

    Students are required to complete one of the following majors:
    Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, French, Humanities*, Mathematics, Physics, Political Science*, Psychology*, Social Science, Sociology/Anthropology*, Spanish, Theater*, or Visual Arts* - 30-45 credits

    Total: 122-135 credits
    *Not to be taken by students seeking Middle Childhood Education/Special Education or Adolescence Education/Special education.

    In addition to course registration, students are required to register with the Director of Student Teaching Placements by November 15 for spring semester student teaching, and by May 1 for fall semester student teaching. A G.P.A. of 2.5 is required for placement in field experiences or student teaching. Field placement will be at the discretion of the Director of Student Teaching Placements and Certification.

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