This program is intended for students who have a bachelor’s degree in childhood/elementary education or students who have a bachelor's degree in education that incorporates childhood education content including health, physical education, art, music, early childhood, speech and language disabilities, or special education. It requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of approved graduate course work including student internship and a culminating experience. Students may elect to take an additional six credit hours in approved course work to receive an annotation in teaching students with severe and/or multiple disabilities.

Career Potential

• Special Education Teacher, Grade 1-6
• Inclusive Childhood/Elementary Education Teacher, Grade 1-6
• Resource Room Teacher, Grade 1-6
• Committee on Special Education (CSE) Chair
• Community College/College Instructor
• Developmental Disabilities Specialist

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to a degree program stated in this catalog, applicants for enrollment in the program leading to a Master of Science in Teaching Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6) should present the following:

1. Official transcripts documenting a B.A. or B.S. in childhood (elementary) education or a B.A. or B.S. in education that incorporates childhood education content from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. New York State Initial Certification in Childhood Education or in a field that incorporates childhood education content – evidence of pending or awarded certification.
3. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.8
   Note, applicants who graduated more than 10 years prior to application, may be required to provide additional evidence of more recent academic competence, such as continuing education courses, CEUs, or other appropriate documentation.
4. Submission of a personal statement indicating
   • reasons for wanting to work with students with disabilities, including personal experiences which have influenced this decision,
   • reasons for selecting SUNY Cortland for graduate studies and this program specifically,
   • discussion of long-term professional goals and view of how this program will support achieving them, and
   • any other information deemed relevant.
5. Three letters of reference detailing the ability to meet the rigors of graduate study and the commitment to, and competence in, working with students with disabilities.
6. An interview with the TSD program coordinator or designee, if deemed necessary after application review.

Applications will be accepted for fall admission only.
Applications must be received by July 1 for fall admission.
Advisement will be provided by the graduate program coordinator and/or department faculty.