Certificate in Special Education, Middle School & Adolescent Levels

The applicants to the program must have a Master’s degree in Adolescence Education and certification in Adolescence Education (7-12) for New York State or the equivalent. Applicants must meet the 36-credit requirement for a content specialty in one of the following areas: biology, chemistry, earth science, English/language arts, mathematics, social studies, or Spanish.

Course descriptions for the Certification in Special Education are below. All courses are existing courses in the College’s Graduate Catalog, and all have been offered previously as either campus-based or online/hybrid courses.

Program Course Titles:

• SED-501 Introduction to Children with Disabilities in Educational Settings (3 credits) - Course starts May 21, 2012 - To register for this course click here.
  A course that is designed to provide the student with an understanding of individuals with disabilities and exceptionalities in relation to their range of similarities and differences within the population as a whole. Students will explore the issues related to legislation, cultural diversity, current practices and trends in special education, as well as the needs of gifted and talented students. A 10-hour field experience is required.
• SED 504 On-site Professional Experience (3 credits)
  A supervised student teaching experience in which theory is applied to direct practice in the field. The experience allows the student to engage in curriculum development, implement curriculum-based assessment, engage in various instructional and classroom management strategies, develop materials based on assessed learner needs, use technology to enhance learner comprehension of concepts and evaluate learner outcomes under the supervision of a New York State-certified special education teacher and College faculty. Student teaching placement is aligned with the level reflected in the candidate’s certification program. Application must be made to register for this course.
• SED 512 Approaches to Classroom Management and Individualized Behavior Support (3 credits)
  A course designed to provide the student with a general overview of formal behavioral assessments, the use of functional behavioral assessment, and the development of behavior intervention plans. An additional emphasis is placed upon the diagnosis of students with disabilities, the establishment, and the evaluation of positive classroom environments through the use of applied behavior analysis and other techniques used to promote positive social interactions of students with disabilities. These techniques are rooted in the historical, social and legal foundations of special education. A 15-hour practicum experience is required.
• SED 503 Instructional Practices in Special Education (3 credits)
  This course is designed to enable teacher candidates to design, deliver, and assess instruction at the course, unit, and lesson levels. A particular emphasis is placed on the various instructional strategies across domains of learning that can be used with students with disabilities who are in inclusive middle and high school classrooms as they pursue rigorous curricula in English, mathematics, science/technology, and social studies. Emphasis is placed on integration of content areas and the ability to design units and lessons in accordance with the New York State Learning Standards as well as professional group standards. Curriculum designed for learners with a full range of needs and abilities (including those with disabilities and English language learners) will be considered and implemented. Evidence based practices for the acquisition, retention, and expression are applied to the content area. Research-based instructional strategies will provide the basis for student- centered and inquiry-based approaches in the planning, implementation and evaluation of instruction. Collaboration and consultation methods and models will be integrated in this course. A 12-hour practicum experience is required.
• SED 529 Transition Assessment and Planning for Students with Disabilities (3 credits)- Course starts May 21, 2012 - To register for this course click here.
  This course prepares teachers of students with disabilities to effectively plan for and support students moving from school to adult life. This entails skill development in the area of planning process, vocational training, support development, developing functional skills and the preparation of Individualized Transition Plans (ITP). The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act require that a systematic plan for movement from school to adult life be developed for all students with disabilities. Emphasis in this course will be upon youngsters with significant disabilities and will include assessment procedures that incorporate family involvement as well as the student and consider academic and functional skills across various levels of development. Curriculum development includes the areas of academics with an emphasis on literacy, communication, social-emotional, vocational and life-long community participation. The transition process assures that the necessary adaptations and supports are in place so that students with disabilities successfully transition to adult life. The special education teacher is the linchpin of this transition process and this course will provide graduates with the base of knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage the transition process for their future students. Candidates will also review the Part 200 Regulations from NYSED and develop an IEP while enrolled in this course. A 12-hour field experience is required.

Pricing:

Each course is specially priced at $900 plus materials.

Requirements:

Teachers interested in the Certificate Programs must apply for admittance to The College of Saint Rose and requires Graduate Admissions matriculation. Submit the following items to:

The College of Saint Rose
Office of Graduate and Continuing Education Admissions
432 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203

• Complete the Application Form
• Written Statement of Purpose: a 300-word or less written essay describing your reasons for interest the program.
• Official transcripts from all colleges you have attended.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• $35 Application Fee Payable to The College of Saint Rose

For application and payment information, contact us or call 800-331-2208.

The Certificate in Special Education is offered through The College of Saint Rose. The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).  The Certificate is registered and approved by the NY State Education Department.

Teacher Education Institute: Improving Student Achievement Through Professional Development Since 1981.