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 an advocate for children with unique needs, enhancing the quality of life for your students and their families.
Why Earn an MS in Special Education at Adelphi University in New York?
Prepare for a career helping children with a diverse range of abilities reach their fullest potential. You’ll train to work in inclusive settings and regular classrooms that encourage children to become as independent as possible and successfully promote their inclusion into a broad spectrum of activities. As a special education advocate, your career will be dedicated to upholding the dignity of every child and 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 low student-teacher ratios made up of a mix of face-to-face and online learning, with weekend courses across the Garden City and New York City locations.
- 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 Degree?
A special education 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:
- Early intervention specialist, working with infants and toddlers who have developmental delays or disabilities to provide services and help them reach their full potential.
- School psychologist:, conducting assessments, developing interventions, providing counseling and working with students, teachers and parents to provide support for students with learning and behavioral problems.
- Special education advocate, helping students with disabilities get needed services they need and working with parents, schools and other agencies to ensure students’ rights are protected.
- 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.
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 (High School) 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
- Adolescent Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist -Alternative Certificate: Transitional B Program – 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.
- 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.
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 these programs must 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
Awards & Recognition