Special Education

Degrees Granted
Advanced Certificate, MS
Degree Levels
Graduate, Graduate Certificate
Locations
Brooklyn, Garden City, Online

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. 
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.

Ashley Gioffre BA '13 current MS in Special Education student

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)

Childhood (Elementary) Special Education Programs

Adolescent (High School) Special Education Programs

Bilingual Childhood (Elementary) Special Education Programs

Advanced Certificates

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 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



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