Special Education: Inclusive Teaching and Advocacy (All Grades) [SPED] M.S.Ed.

Foundations and Social Advocacy Department
Anne Burns Thomas, chair
Ji-Ryun Kim, graduate coordinator
Cornish Hall, Room 1213
607-753-2447
 

Overview

Develop the knowledge and skills of an effective  inclusive special educator by studying for the M.S.Ed. in Special Education: Inclusive Teaching and Advocacy (All Grades) at SUNY Cortland. Successful completion of the program leads to New York State Initial Certification in Students with Disabilities (All Grades).  Students may also receive the Teaching Students with Severe or Multiple Disabilities annotation as part of the program.  

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Identify and apply knowledge of individual differences to provide meaningful, challenging and standards-based learning experiences for students in grades PK-12.
2. Conceptualize and create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments to support student learning in grades PK-12.                           
3. Use content knowledge to provide all learners access to and support progress within the general education curriculum in grades PK-12.    
4. Apply multiple methods of assessment and data sources in making educational decisions for students in grades PK-12.   
5. Research, evaluate and implement current interventions and practices to support inclusive teaching and learning for all students in grades PK -12.           
6. Interrogate the social and cultural context of education to articulate the ethical principles that guide their practice and advocacy for students in grades PK-12.                   
7. Collaborate with a variety of stakeholders in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of learners across a range of educational experiences.                                                                   

Program Highlights

With your bachelor’s degree in childhood/elementary education, adolescent education in a content area,  or a bachelor’s degree in education that includes childhood education content areas such as health, physical education, art, music, early childhood, speech and language disabilities, or special education, you can extend your capacities in disability justice-oriented praxis, differentiated and culturally responsive assessment, curriculum and instruction, and supporting students with significant cognitive, communication, physical, medical or multiple disabilities.

As you collaborate with our dedicated professional faculty, you will explore topics such as strengths and asset-based behavior support, teaching diverse learners in inclusive environments, students with disabilities in context and foundations of education. Courses meet the requirements for the New York State annotation in teaching students with severe and/or multiple disabilities.

We offer a fully online program.

Culminating Experiences

Students will complete a culminating experience consisting of a minimum of 50 hours of a supervised practicum and an action research project focused on issues relating to students with disabilities in educational settings. Please note, full-time teachers can complete the required hours in their school or within their district. 

Career Potential

The M.S.Ed. in Special Education: Inclusive Teaching and Advocacy (All Grades) from SUNY Cortland leads to New York certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities (All Grades). This 30 credit online program enhances your professional credentials and prepares you for potential positions as a special or inclusive education teacher, chair of a committee on special education (CSE), developmental disabilities specialist, or community or college instructor.