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Program Area Coordinator:
Dr. Heidi Schnackenberg, 518-564-5143
Email: heidi.schnackenberg@plattsburgh.edu
Sibley Hall, Room 309A
Program Leader: Cindy McCarty, 518-564-5141
Email: mccartca@plattsburgh.edu
Sibley Hall, Room 206
See Teacher Education Unit for faculty listing.
The Program
The major purpose of the graduate program in Special Education is to prepare master teachers capable of meeting the educational needs of students with mild and moderate disabilities in one of the four certification areas: Birth to Grade 2, Birth to Grade 6, Grades 1 to 6, or Grades 7 to 12. Any one of the programs will enable teachers to develop skills necessary to work in self-contained, resource, and inclusive classrooms in both public and private school settings. The Birth to Grade 2 program will also provide the master teacher the information and experience needed to work with infants and toddlers within the home, preschool, and/or kindergarten environments. The prerequisites, courses, credits, and practica experiences required vary depending on the student’s prior education.
A candidate must hold initial teaching certification. Persons holding a B.S. or B.A. in Special Education, Childhood Education, or Adolescence Education and provisional or initial certification in elementary/childhood, secondary/adolescence, or special education may pursue the M.S.Ed. Special Education - Birth to Grade 2 (Curr: 0877). Those with a B.S. or B.A. in Elementary Education and provisional or initial certification in elementary education may pursue the program for M.S.Ed. Special Education - Grades 1 to 6 (Curr: 0878). Those with a B.S. or B.A. in related fields may pursue an M.S. Ed in Special Education - Grades 7 to 12 Generalist (Curr: 8063). Those with an initial teaching certificate in a content discipline may pursue an M.S. in Special Education - Grades 7 to 12 Generalist with a content extension (Curr: 8063). All applicants for the M.S.Ed. in Special Education - Grades 7 to 12 will be subject to a transcript review to meet SED mandates.
For the shared vision and program themes of the professional education faculty at SUNY Plattsburgh, see the Teacher Education Unit section of the catalog.
Admission Requirements
General college requirements and admission procedures for graduate study must be met. Specific program requirements include:
- Appropriate preparation at the baccalaureate level and teacher certification as noted under the program description.
- Evidence of a strong academic record in undergraduate studies as reflected in a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale.
- Successful score on the GRE or MAT.
- Evidence of superior achievement in courses most closely allied with the student’s teaching and/or certification area.
- Three recommendations indicating the ability to pursue graduate studies; at least two recommendations should come from college faculty.
- A statement disclosing any history of dismissal or suspension from any academic program due to disciplinary review and/or conviction of a felony.
- Other information that may be requested by the Graduate Admissions Committee, including the possibility of a personal interview.
- Availability of openings in the program.
Program Requirements:
- Students are responsible for satisfying all requirements as specified in the graduate catalog for the year in which they are accepted.
- All education courses must maintain a grade of “B” or higher.
- Must maintain a GPA of 3.0
- If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 or the student fails to meet standards for professional behavior, the student may be dismissed from the program. Students who exhibit deficiencies in professional behavior and/or teaching performance regardless of GPA may be subject to dismissal from the program.
- Students may complete student teaching when they are within 6 credit hours of completion of course work.
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