Special Education - Teacher of Students with Disabilities in Childhood Education, Generalist (7-12) M.S.Ed.
School of Education
Program Overview
In this program, candidates learn to plan developmentally appropriate curriculum, instruction, adaptations, and intervention strategies based on knowledge of individual students with exceptional learning needs. They learn preventative and reductive strategies to address challenging behaviors. Candidates also learn competencies required to work on research, lines of inquiry, and analysis of research to expand their professional identity to include the role of “teacher as researcher.” Our graduates leave with an appreciation for the differences that all students bring with them to the classroom.
Program Details
The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2023–24 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.
Matriculation Requirements
Applicants must present a minimum undergraduate scholastic index of 3.00. A minimum grade point average of 3.00 in graduate education courses is required to maintain matriculation. International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 650 on the paper-based test, or 280 on the computer-based test, or 114 on the internet-based test, before being considered for graduate studies.
Applicants must present evidence of six credits of prior upper division undergraduate or graduate work in each of four areas: humanities, including English; social sciences; mathematics; physical and/or life sciences.
Applicants are required to demonstrate written proficiency in English and must submit three appropriate letters of recommendation.
Applicants are interviewed and required to demonstrate written proficiency in English during the interview process
Applicants are admitted to this program only for the fall semester. Students should note additional requirements found at the beginning of this section as well as in the sections “Admissions” and “Academic Regulations and Procedures” in the Graduate Bulletin.
Option A (33 Credits)
This option is for candidates who do not possess Transitional B Alternative Certification Certificates.
Students must complete 21 credits in the following education courses: CBSE 7674T, 7676T, 7678T,7664T, 7657T, 7659T, 7503 or SEED 7503; and 12 credits in graduate liberal arts and sciences courses.
Students may be counseled to take CBSE 7699 and/or CBSE 7681 in addition to these courses.
In addition, students must complete a research project under advisement of a faculty member in Education – CBSE 7657T.
Option B – Online (33 Credits)
This option is candidates who qualify for a New York State Transitional B Certificate as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities Generalist (7–12). Option B is consigned to candidates sponsored by entities such as the New York City Teaching Fellows program.
Students must complete 21 credits in the following education courses: CBSE 7674T, 7676T, 7678T,7664T, 7657T, 7659T, 7503 or SEED 7503;
and 12 credits in graduate liberal arts and sciences courses.
Candidates will also be required to register for SEED 6002T, the course which provides for onsite supervision, as required for NYS Transitional B Certificate holders.
In addition to these courses, candidates must complete a research project under advisement of a faculty member in CBSE 7657T.
After a student completes approximately 12 credits, the faculty members review the students’ progress and potential and recommend continuation or withdrawal. This evaluation is based on criteria described in the “Program Statement of Expectations” made available to students when they enter the program.
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00. A student who earns three credits of a B- or below will be advised based on their performance and receive consultation about next steps required for completing a M.S. in education in this program. After the consultation, students will continue to be evaluated to assess their completion of requirements for the program. A student who earns six credits of a B- or below will not be awarded an M.S. in education in this program.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Apply course work in classroom settings, analyze P–12 student learning, and reflect on their practice in the context of theories on teaching and learning. Engage in structured activities related to the roles for which they are preparing.
- Collect and analyze formative assessment data on student learning, reflect on teaching and student performance to select, adapt, and use instruction strategies and materials according to characteristics of the individual with exceptional learning needs.
- Development of knowledge of skills for working with colleagues, parents and families, and communities for the benefits of students with special needs.
- Design learning environments that encourage active participation in individual and group activities for students with special needs.
- Plan a) developmentally appropriate curricular, instruction and adaptations based on knowledge of individual students with exceptional learning needs [development and learning experiences], the family, and the community through a continuum of intervention strategies in order to support access of students in the general curriculum and daily routines; b) preventative and reductive strategies to address challenging behaviors.
- Competencies required to complete the initial stages of a research project, lines of inquiry or questioning, analysis of research, and research findings in order to expand the professional identify to include the role of “teacher as researcher.”
- Design an individual research study consisting of an original research question, introduction to the study, literature review, references, and design proposal.
Admissions Requirements
- Fall Application Deadline: April 15, rolling admission
- Spring Application Deadline: The program does not accept applications for spring.
Supporting Documents for Matriculation
Submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
- Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants who earned a bachelor’s degree outside the United States need to submit a course-by-course international transcript evaluation. See Graduate Admissions for more information.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Résumé
- Photocopy of New York State or other state teaching certificate
- A brief biographical statement of 500 to 1,000 words describing your reasons for pursuing the specific graduate program to which you are applying and your future professional goals
Interview with department.
This program does not accept nondegree applicants.
Required Tests
- F-1 or J-1 international students must submit English Proficiency Exam. TOEFL—79, IELTS—6.5, PTE—58–63, Duolingo—105–160.
All students accepted to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Fingerprint verification is required for work in New York City Department of Education schools if you already have fingerprint records or not. Follow these instructions..
More Information
Refer to the instructions at Graduate Admissions.
Contact
Yoon-Joo Lee, Program Head
2205 James Hall
E: yjlee@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 3879
Ginny Dembek, Program Coordinator
3302 James Hall
E: gdembek@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 3877
Stella Kyprianou, Program Coordinator
2205 James Hall
E: stella.kyprianou@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 3879
Or contact:
Office of Graduate Admissions
222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: grads@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.4536
Office Hours
Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
To make an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor, visit:
The Support You’ll Find
Brooklyn College is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members in Childhood, Bilingual, and Special Education offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.
Internships and Employers
Students complete internships in public and private schools throughout the New York City region as well as across the United States. The internship is a supervised experience designed to hone the requisite skills and knowledge to work as a teacher of students with disabilities.
