Published:
Both here and abroad, Stephen M. Shore, EdD, clinical assistant professor, stresses the importance of a strength-based model to help empower individuals on the autism spectrum.
Special Education
Become a teacher of children and adolescents with special needs, enhancing the education and quality of life for students and their families with our Students With Disabilities certificates in our Master of Science and Advanced Certificate programs.
Why Earn an MS in Special Education at Adelphi University in New York?
With our special education MS programs, you’ll prepare for a career teaching children with a diverse range of abilities to reach their fullest potential. You’ll train in inclusive, resource and general education classroom settings that encourage students with disabilities to become as independent as possible and promote their inclusion into a broad spectrum of activities. As a certified special education teacher, you can advocate for students with disabilities, upholding the dignity of every child and adolescent, creating a climate in which all children and families are valued and respected.
Why Earn Your MS in Special Education at Adelphi University in New York?
- Benefit from a flexible, personalized experience with small classes.
- These programs can be completed fully online at substantial savings.
- Gain hands-on experience through field placements in public and private schools in a range of diverse communities specializing in the unique needs of children with disabilities.
- Learn from experienced professors who are committed to improving education for all students in inclusive, diverse and special needs settings
What Can You Do With a Special Education Master’s Degree?
A special education master’s degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities. Many of our graduates are working in classrooms from preschool to high school, developing and implementing individualized education plans and helping their students succeed in those plans. Some also pursue other career paths. Some further occupations that can be pursued with a special education degree include:
- Academic intervention specialist: conducting assessments, developing interventions, working with students, teachers and parents to provide support for students with learning and behavioral problems.
- Curriculum specialist, developing and implementing programs for students with disabilities and working with teachers and other professionals to ensure the curriculum is appropriate and effective.
- Researcher, conducting academic, hospital and other institutional studies to improve understanding and treatment of disabilities.
- Consultant, providing advice and support on assessment, instruction, and behavior management to schools, organizations and families on issues related to special education.
What is the Difference between a Special Education Advanced Certificate and a Master’s in Special Education?
A master’s is a graduate degree, whereas an advanced certificate is a license extension. A certificate can be a strong foundation for future teaching positions in a related area of study. Advanced Certificate programs are at a lesser expense than a master’s program and take less time to complete, but candidates must have earned a master’s degree for entry with the exception of the autism certificate.
90%*
* based on Adelphi University Career Outcomes Survey: Class of 2022
of our master’s graduates say that Adelphi University increased their understanding of the roles and responsibilities of professionals in their field
based on Adelphi University Career Outcomes Survey: Class of 2022
Let the staff and professors at Adelphi help prepare and guide you to the place you’ve always wanted to be. Be open to new possibilities and you will find yourself setting goals far greater than you initially set out to achieve. Join us. The world needs more of Adelphi’s teachers.
Special Education MS and Advanced Certificate Program Offerings
Choose from our variety of programs:
- Early Childhood Special Education program (Birth-Grade 2)
- Students With Disabilities (All Grades) Special Education programs (PreK-12)
- Extensions and annotations are also available in Bilingual Education and in Autism/Severe and Multiple Disabilities.
- Subject area extensions are also available in English, mathematics, science and social studies.
Daryl Gordon, PhD works with Adelphi students alongside a service dog.
Exceptional Hands-On Learning
Our program is grounded in courses using field-based methods, which provide our students with critical hands-on teaching experience. These courses in the New York area offer you the opportunity to practice in the classroom before entering the more formal student teaching practicum. In addition to the experience they receive on campus at the Alice Brown Early Learning Center, our students will have the opportunity to intern at one of a variety of places, including:
Preservice Programs
For candidates who are seeking a first teaching certification:
This program leads to Students With Disabilities (All Grades) certification. The preservice track is open to candidates who do not hold a New York state teaching certificate.
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BILINGUAL STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (ALL GRADES) (PRESERVICE) 49 CREDITS
This preservice track leads to a Students With Disabilities (All Grades) certification with bilingual extension. The preservice track is open to candidates who do not hold a New York state teaching certificate.
MASTER OF SCIENCE-ADOLESCENCE SPECIAL EDUCATION DUAL CERTIFICATION-PRESERVICE TRACK 43 CREDITS
This program leads to New York state certification in Students With Disabilities (All Grades)and one of the content areas (math, science, English, social studies). The preservice track is open to candidates who do not hold a New York state teaching certificate.
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BILINGUAL CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION IN INCLUSIVE SETTINGS – TRI-CERTIFICATION (PRESERVICE): GRADES 1-6 58 CREDITS
This preservice track is open only to candidates without prior classroom teaching certificates. Leads to initial/professional certification in Childhood (1-6), Students WithDisabilities (1-6), and Bilingual Extension.
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND CHILDHOOD DUAL CERTIFICATION PRESERVICE TRACK, MS 52 CREDITS
This program leads to Students With Disabilities (All Grades) and Childhood 1-6 certification. The preservice track is open to candidates who do not hold a New York state teaching certificate.
MASTER OF SCIENCE—STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (ALL GRADES) ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION: TRANSITIONAL B 37 CREDITS DEGREE: MS
This program is to prepare secondary school educators to become New York statecertified in Students With Disabilities (All Grades). Eligible applicants will have a bachelor’s degree in a related subject area and general education requirements. Applicants for this Transitional B program will not have prior New York state certification.
For candidates who hold current teaching certification: In-Service Programs. Certification will be reviewed at time of application.
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BILINGUAL SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (ALL GRADES)DUAL IN-SERVICE 42–46 CREDITS
This program leads to a Students With Disabilities (All Grades) and bilingual extension. The in-service track is open to candidates who hold a New York state teaching certificate.
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND CHILDHOOD DUAL CERTIFICATION IN-SERVICE TRACK, MS 30-49 CREDITS
This program leads to Students With Disabilities (All Grades) and Childhood Grades 1-6 certification. The in-service track is open to candidates who hold a New York state teaching certificate in an area other than childhood/elementary or special education.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (ALL GRADES) IN-SERVICE TRACK, MS 30–36 CREDITS
This program leads to Students With Disabilities (All Grades) certification. The in-service track is open to candidates who hold a New York state teaching certificate in an area other than special education.
Early Childhood Special Education Certificate and MS Program Offerings
Choose from our variety of programs based on the age group you are looking to serve.
Early Childhood Special Education Programs (Birth-Grade 2)
- MS in Early Childhood Special Education, Dual Certification (Pre-Service Track) – For students who do not hold New York State teacher certification in any area
- MS in Early Childhood Special Education, Single Certification (In-Service Track) – For students who already hold NYS certification in early childhood education
- MS in Early Childhood Special Education, Dual Certification (In-Service Track) – For students who already hold NYS certification, but not in early childhood or special education
Childhood (Elementary) Special Education Programs
- MS in Childhood Special Education in Inclusive Settings, Dual Certification (Pre-Service Track) – For students who do not hold NYS teacher certification in any area
- MS in Childhood Special Education (In-Service track) – For students who already hold NYS certification in childhood education
- MS in Childhood Special Education in Inclusive Settings, Dual Certification (In-Service Track) – For students who already hold NYS teacher certification, but not in early childhood or special education
- MS in Childhood Special Education Studies (Non-Certification track)
Adolescent (7-12) Special Education Programs
- MS in Adolescent Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings (Pre-Service Dual Generalist with Extension) – For students who do not hold NYS teacher certification in secondary content or special education
- MS in Adolescent Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings (In-Service Generalist with Extension) – For students who already hold NYS certification in adolescent education
- MS in Adolescent Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings (In-Service Generalist with Optional Extension) – For students who have NYS teacher certification in an area other than adolescent education
Bilingual Childhood (Elementary) Special Education Programs
- MS in Bilingual Childhood Special Education in Inclusive Settings, Tri-Certification (Pre-Service Track) – For students who do not hold NYS teacher certification in any area
- MS in Bilingual Childhood Special Education in Inclusive Settings, Tri-Certification (In-Service Track) – For students who already hold NYS certification in childhood education
- MS in Bilingual Childhood Special Education in Inclusive Settings, Alternative Certificate (Transitional B Program) – This program grants the Transitional B license category to career changers or noncertified teachers to teach in shortage areas
Advanced Certificates in Special Education
- Adolescent Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist with Extension Advanced Certificate – For students with a valid NYS teacher certification. Now offered online and at the Brooklyn Center. The next cohort will start in the Fall. The cohort for the NYC Teaching Fellows will start Fall 2023. For students who hold a master’s degree and a current NYS Certification in Adolescence Education or another area. This program is also offered fully online.
- Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Special Education – A master’s degree and a valid NYS certification in early childhood education are required for entrance into this program.
- Advanced Certificate in Childhood Special Education, Grades 1-6 – A master’s degree and a valid NYS certification in childhood education are required for entrance into this program (offered online).
- Advanced Certificate in Autism and Severe or Multiple Disabilities – A master’s degree is required for entrance into this program.
- Advanced Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder (Non-Teacher Certification) – students with an undergraduate degree in any subject can apply for admittance.
Daryl Gordon, PhD works with Adelphi students alongside a service dog.
Exceptional Hands-On Learning
Our program is grounded in courses using field-based methods, which provide our students with critical hands-on teaching experience. These courses in the New York area offer you the opportunity to practice in the classroom before entering the more formal student teaching practicum. In addition to the experience they receive on campus at the Alice Brown Early Learning Center, our students will have the opportunity to intern at one of a variety of places, including:
Program Info
Application Requirements
Applicants for our Master of Science degree in special education and our advanced certificate in special education have completed a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA and should submit the following:
- Graduate application and $60 fee
- Online survey completed by two recommenders
- Personal essay (500 words)
- Official transcripts from all prior institutions and proof of bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution
- Master’s degree proof, with a minimum 3.0 GPA, for advanced certificates
Admissions
Awards & Recognition
Colleges of Distinction: Education
Adelphi has been recognized among the Best Colleges in Education for 2024–2025 by the Colleges of Distinction organization for our excellence in teaching.
Top Ranked in Education
NC-SARA Approved
Adelphi University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
Approved Distance Education
Abound
Adelphi has been recognized among the nation’s top professional graduate degree programs by Abound: Grad School for providing affordable and flexible options, accessibility to professors and campus support services, opportunities to accelerate graduation, and prep for sustained career growth.
A Top Grad School
Abound
Adelphi is recognized among Abound’s 2024 Best Online Colleges North for our high-quality faculty and our supportive student experience, including providing the guidance, resources and services that our online students need to succeed both academically and professionally.
Top Ranked for Online Study
Colleges of Distinction: Equity & Inclusion
Adelphi has been honored for initiatives to become an increasingly welcoming, inclusive community for students and faculty.
Top Ranked in Equity & Inclusion
Wall Street Journal/College Pulse
Adelphi is the highest-ranked university on Long Island in the 2025 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse Best Colleges. It also ranks #7 in New York, with outstanding scores for student outcomes including graduation rate and salary impact.
Ranked one of the best
U.S. News & World Report
Adelphi University has been named a Best College among National Universities for seven consecutive years. Adelphi remains the top-ranked private university on Long Island.
A Best College
Times Higher Education
Adelphi ranked in the top 4 percent of universities in the nation by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, receiving the highest scores in academic reputation and international outlook.
Global Recognition
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Nexus Building First Floor
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