For Master’s in Special Education Degree Programs in New York (A-L), click here.
Situated in the northeastern Mid-Atlantic region of the United States as the third most populous and seventh most densely populated state with the most populous global city in the nation at New York City, it is no surprise that there are numerous Master’s in Special Education degree programs in New York. Often described as the financial and cultural center of the world with the largest gateway for immigration, New York offers aspiring educators the greatest opportunities to receive practical field experience in diverse urban settings. With so many accredited academic programs, the following is the second installation (M-R) to our list of the Master’s degree programs in New York that to prepare teachers for working with students with disabilities.
Note: Those interested in distance learning programs should consult our recommendations for Online Master’s in Special Education.
Manhattanville College
School of Education
As a small private institution with a community of just over 2,000 students, Manhattanville College is situated on a beautiful 100-acre campus in thriving Westchester County just 30 minutes away from the plentiful opportunities of New York City. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Manhattanville is currently recognized for being the 74th best college in the North for 2014. Offering programs for beginning and experienced teachers, the School of Education is committed to preparing teacher leaders with the widest array of nationally recognized programs.
Masters of Professional Studies in Education (MPS) for Early Childhood Special Education
Designed to prepare graduate students to teach individuals with learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral disorders, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, and autistic spectrum disorders in birth through 2nd grade settings, the Master of Professional Studies in Education (MPS) for Early Childhood Special Education program follows a 38-credit sequence intended for educators who have achieved initial certification at the early childhood level.
For those who are not certified, there is also a 49-credit dual certification program that enables teachers to receive certification for early childhood general education and special education concurrently. In addition, individuals who are interested in expanding career opportunities to teach birth through 6th grade can pursue certification in both Early Childhood and Childhood Special Education
Masters of Professional Studies in Education (MPS) for Childhood Special Education
Maintaining the philosophy that all children should be provided instruction in the least restrictive environment through multidisciplinary interventions, the Masters of Professional Studies in Education (MPS) for Childhood Special Education program prepares educators to facilitate positive outcomes in inclusive 1-6 school settings.
While those who have initial certification in childhood or elementary education can complete the program with 38 credits, those with a bachelor’s degree who are not certified will need to follow a 48-credit course sequence to earn both general and special education certification. For in-depth learning on literacy instructional strategies for inclusive settings, there is also a 45-credit program in Literacy and Childhood Special Education offered to certified teachers.
Masters of Professional Studies in Education (MPS) for Middle Childhood/Adolescence Special Education
Through an integrated mix of academic learning and field experience with a diverse population of individuals with special needs in grades 5-12, the Masters of Professional Studies in Education (MPS) for Middle Childhood/Adolescence Special Education program aims to prepare students to become members of an effective and inclusive professional team.
As a 35-credit program in a generalist track, educators with initial certification at the Middle Childhood, Adolescence, or Secondary Education level learn about the specific classroom management, assessment, intervention, and instruction strategies for adolescents. However, graduate students also have the option to concentrate their studies in a particular subject content area, including English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, or Literacy.
Accreditations
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact Information
2900 Purchase St.
Purchase, NY 10577
(914) 323-5214
[email protected]
Molloy College
Graduate School of Education
Conveniently located on a 30-acre suburban campus in Rockville Centre on Long Island within a short commute from New York City, Molloy College is a comprehensive private institution known for having a rich, dynamic, and diverse educational environment of more than 4,500 students. Recognized as one of the “Best Northeastern Colleges” by the prestigious Princeton Review, Molloy is currently ranked as the 60th best college in the North by the U.S. News and World Report. Founded in the Catholic tradition and committed to the Dominican ideals of openness to diverse worldviews, the Graduate School of Education is dedicated to the preparation of educators with the dispositions, skills, and knowledge to meet the needs of all students.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Teaching Students with Disabilities in Childhood Education
Intended for aspiring educators who are seeking dual initial certification in childhood and special education for teaching in grade 1-6 settings, the Master of Science in Teaching Students with Disabilities in Childhood Education is approved by New York State to provide the classroom teaching experience and knowledge in technology needed for certification. Along with 100 hours of practicum and a full-time student teaching experience in a “high-needs” school environment, graduates are required to complete a minimum of 48 semester credits in diverse abilities, inclusive teaching, instructional methods, curriculum design, literacy, classroom management, advanced design technology, and assessment of students with disabilities.
Accreditations
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact Information
1000 Hempstead Avenue
Rockville Centre, NY 11571
(516) 323-3550
[email protected]
https://www.molloy.edu/academics/graduate-programs/graduate-education
Mount Saint Mary College
Division of Education
Founded in the Judeo-Christian values and the Dominican tradition of education that values the inherent worth of the individual, Mount Saint Mary College is an independent private co-educational institution of the liberal arts. Situated on a 60-acre campus of rolling green hills in Newburgh overlooking the western banks of the Hudson River, MSMC is currently ranked as the 111th best college and 31st top university for veterans in the North by the U.S. News and World Report. Enjoying an outstanding reputation through the Hudson Valley region, the Division of Education is dedicated to serving the community by providing students with hands-on experiences to apply teaching techniques in nearby school districts.
Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) in Adolescence Special Education
Designed specifically for college graduates holding an appropriate liberal arts degree in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, or Spanish who had no formal training in professional education, the Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) in Adolescence Special Education program prepares qualified graduate students for obtaining dual initial certification in adolescence education and adolescence special education for teaching in 7-12 settings. Following the New York State Department of Education’s standards, the program requires the completion of at least 42 semester credits of advanced coursework and field experiences. The initial certification will be valid for three years, but candidates must successfully complete three school years of teaching experience for professional certification.
Accreditations
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact Information
330 Powell Avenue
Newburgh, NY 12550
(845) 561-0800
[email protected]
https://www.msmc.edu/programs/master-of-science-in-education-msed/
Niagara University
College of Education
Established in 1856 by the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers in the Roman Catholic traditions, Niagara University is a comprehensive private institution distinguished by its beautiful 160-acre suburban campus on a gorge overlooking Canada with the nearby Niagara Falls. Recognized by the prestigious Carnegie Foundation for Community Engagement, Niagara is currently ranked as the 54th best college, 12th top value school, and 17th top university for veterans by the U.S. News and World Report. The College of Education aims to prepare the highest quality teachers and educational leaders to make a difference for youth and their families.
Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) in Adolescence Special Education
Now offered in a 100 percent online format for busy teachers who find it difficult to commute for on-campus classes, the Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) in Adolescence Special Education program leads to initial or professional certification in New York State for teaching students with disabilities in grade 7-12 settings. Exclusively available to certified teachers who hold a teaching certificate in an approved area, the master’s program consists of 40 credit hours to emphasize the knowledge of the foundations of special education, assessment, instructional methods, accommodations or modifications, and characteristics of exceptional learners.
Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) in Childhood Special Education
Housed within one of the first schools of education that obtained accreditation from the NCATE in New York, the Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) in Childhood Special Education program prepares educators to assess and evaluate student progress, make appropriate accommodations, deliver individualized instruction, and act as constant agents of positive change in grade 1-6 settings. Delivered in an innovative fully online format, certified teachers must complete at least 40 credits to meet certification needs. For graduates who meet all requirements of the extension program, there is also an opportunity to pursue an additional 12-credit program leading to an annotation in Teaching Students with Severe/Multiple Disabilities.
Accreditations
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact Information
Academic Complex Room 221
P.O. Box 1930
Niagara, NY 14109
(716) 286-8549
[email protected]
https://www.niagara.edu/special-education-online
Pace University
School of Education
Comprised of two main campuses with one in the bustling Financial District of Lower Manhattan and the other in the calm suburban lifestyle of Westchester, Pace University is a major comprehensive private institution with a community of more than 12,750 students. Recognized among the top 20 universities in the nation that will make you rich by Forbes magazine, Pace is currently ranked in the top-tier as the 173rd best college and 44th top university for veterans in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. The School of Education has the mission of producing quality teachers who are reflective professionals that promote justice, create caring classrooms, and enable all diverse students to be successful learners.
Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) in Special Education
Intended for individuals who already hold a childhood or adolescent initial teaching certificate and wish to become specialists in teaching students with disabilities for grades K-12, the Master of Science (MS.Ed.) in Special Education program simultaneously prepares teachers to enhance their knowledge of disabilities to be more effective in their classroom and specialists in their schools. Incorporating theory, technique, and practice in instruction, the program culminates in a one-semester full-time student teaching experience and an action research project. As a 36-credt hour program that leads to professional certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities, candidates can complete the degree in 18 to 24 months full-time or two to three years part-time.
Master of Science for Teachers (MST) in Special Education
Offered on both the New York and Westchester campuses on a full or part-time basis, the Master of Science for Teachers (MST) in Special Education provides a strong theoretical foundation for graduate students who want to teach but have not earned a bachelor’s degree or initial certification in education. With a distinct emphasis placed on differentiated instruction with assistive technology to meet needs of diverse students, the program aims to arm educators with the pedagogical knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become a successful classroom teacher in any K-12 inclusive setting. At the conclusion of the 48-credit program, full-time teaching experience, and capstone project, graduates are eligible for the initial certification in both general and special education teaching students with disabilities.
Accreditations
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact Information
163 William St. 11th Floor
New York, NY 10038
(212) 346-1512
[email protected]
https://www.pace.edu/program/special-education-msed
Queens College – CUNY
Division of Education
Situated on a 79-acre urban campus in the residential area of Flushing in America’s most ethnically diverse county, the Queens College is a comprehensive public institution that is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) with more than 17,000 students. Named as one of the nation’s “academically terrific” universities in the Princeton Review’s guide to America’s Best 377 Colleges, QC is currently ranked as the 43rd best college and 8th top public school in the United States by the U.S. News and World Report. The Division of Education specializes in providing students with classroom and field training to become competent teachers and servce schools in the surrounding diverse urban communities.
Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) in Adolescent Special Education
Awarded exemplary status by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) in Adolescent Special Education program prepares educators to work with students with disabilities in 7-12 settings. Requiring all admitted candidates to hold an initial teaching certificate from the New York State Education Department, the program involves the completion of at least 36 semester credits. Depending on individual teaching interests, graduates in this program can concentrate their studies in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, French, Italian, Math, Physics, Social Studies, or Spanish.
Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) in Childhood Special Education
Intended to provide certified general education teachers who hold initial certification in childhood education in New York State with the knowledge, understand, and skills for teaching students with mild, moderate, severe, or multiple disabilities in 1-6 settings, the Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) in Childhood Special Education program involves 36 credits that can be completed in two years full-time or three years part-time. Upon completion of this program, graduates are eligible for professional certification in special education and professional certification in general childhood education. For those who already have a Master’s degree in Education, there is also an Post-Master’s Certificate offered in Childhood Special Education.
Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) in Early Childhood Special Education
With the goal of preparing certified general education teachers to work with students within birth to 2nd grade educational settings across the spectrum of disabilities and support needs, the Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) in Early Childhood Special Education program ensures that all graduates are eligible for professional certification in both general and special education within New York State. As a 36-credit program, the curriculum delves into topics on literacy strategies, assessment, early interventions, collaboration with families, positive behavioral supports, curriculum instruction, advanced research, and an internship experience. In addition, graduate students can take extra coursework to be considered eligible for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination.
Accreditations
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact Information
Powdermaker Hall Room 033
63 Kissena Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11367
(718) 997-5250
[email protected]
http://www.qc.cuny.edu/academics/degrees/education/ecp/specialed/Pages/default.aspx
For students who have exemplary interpersonal communication skills and a passion for working with children with a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, or physical disabilities, it is essential to enroll in a graduate degree program to fulfill special education professional certification requirements within the “Empire State.” Therefore, it is highly recommended that aspiring special educators check out these top-notch Master’s in Special Education degree programs in New York that have been fully accredited by the NCATE for excellence.
For Master’s in Special Education Degree Programs in New York (S-Z), click here.
