Katherine L. Granelli, Ed.D., Chairperson, SJNY Long Island
Susan Straut Collard, Ph.D. Associate Chairperson, SJNY Brooklyn
Sarah E. Birch, Ph.D.,Director, SJNY Brooklyn and SJNY Long Island
Offered at SJNY Long Island and SJNY Brooklyn, the Master of Arts Program in Special Education grades PK-12 with an Annotation in Severe Multiple Disabilities, Initial Certification Option, provides the student with core courses (6 credits) and courses that link Special Education to the New York State Core Curriculum in the area of Special Education as well as Severe and Multiple Disabilities. The 42-credit program imparts a strong research component, which is characteristic of the integration of theory and practice. Expertise in the content area is acquired in courses relating to Special Education, which include: Assessment, Differentiated Instruction for Students with Diverse Needs, the Inclusion of Family, School and Community in a Collaborative Model, Legal Issues as they apply to Family and Schools, as well as Fieldwork and Practicum Experiences. Courses that relate to severe disabilities include: Issues in Severe Disabilities that include psychological, social and physical characteristics, Adaptive, Alternative and Technological procedures for students with Health or Physical Impairments, Strategies for Applied Behavior Analysis, and the required Fieldwork and Practicum experiences. Students will be eligible for the following certifications dependent upon their initial certification: Special Education 1-12 with content specialist extensions available in Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Social Studies, Mathematics, English and Spanish. Each certificate will have an Annotation for Severe and Multiple Disabilities.
Admissions Requirements:
1) An applicant to the Master of Arts in Special Education All Grades with Annotation in Severe and Multiple Disabilities must possess a baccalaureate degree with an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 0-4.0) from an accredited college. The applicant must have an undergraduate or graduate major in education, one of the liberal arts or a 30 credit concentration in a liberal arts area with at least one course in child or adolescent development. In addition, for applicants who plan to request certification, the applicant must possess provisional/initial/permanent certification from New York State in Early Childhood, Childhood, Early Childhood Special Education, Childhood Special Education, and/or Adolescent Education. The applicant must have three credits in Child Development and/or Adolescence Development.
2) Those who do not have Special Education certification must complete a liberal arts major or a 30 credit concentration in the liberal arts. In addition, these applicants, must have at least 6 credits in each of the following: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies.
General Program Description
The Master of Arts in Special Education trains candidates to be highly effective special education teachers who serve students with mild, moderate and severe disabilities and their families. It addresses the challenges of teachers in the field of special education, creates leaders
and upholds and advances the principles set forth by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Graduates are prepared to apply for both initial certification in New York State Students with Disabilities (All grades), as well as, a New York State annotation for Severe and Multiple Disabilities.
This program prepares graduates to recognize the dignity freedom and inherent value of each student, as per the mission of St. Joseph’s University
Goals of Program
1. Graduates will be proficient in assessing and teaching students of all ability levels and all areas of disability.
2. Graduates will make informed decisions about their instructional/intervention practices and their students’ educational needs based upon theory, up-to-date research, and best- practices recommendations in the areas of special education and cognitive development
3. Graduates will uphold and advance the seven principles set forth by the Council for Exceptional Children in the Advanced Preparation Standards for Special Educators.
4. Graduates will be life-long learners who stay current in their field and seek on-going opportunities for professional growth.
5. Graduates will be ready to assume their roles as leaders and change agents, providing support and consultation for colleagues, parents, and the community.
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