Teacher of Special Education Grades 1-6
Master of Science in Education (MSED)
This 36-credit program is designed for candidates who have an initial certification from New York State in either Early Childhood Education or Childhood Education. The program prepares candidates to teach students across the spectrum of disabilities and educational support needs.
Candidates have the option of following a 2-year sequence or a 3-year sequence. It is strongly recommended that candidates who work full time take the 3-year sequence. Candidates must meet with a faculty advisor and obtain approval to follow the 2-year sequence.
Program Coordinator
Sun A. Kim
Powdermaker Hall 032L
718-997-5240
Sun.Kim@qc.cuny.edu
Administrative Staff
Jaclyn Arroyo
Powdermaker Hall 033
718-997-5240
jaclyn.arroyo@qc.cuny.edu
Course Sequence
| Year | Semester | Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
| Year 1 |
FALL | ECPSE 700 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| ECPSE 702 | Introduction to Assessment in Childhood Special Education | 3 | ||
| SPRING | ECPSE 708 | Collaboration with Families and School-based Teams | 3 | |
| ECPSE 713 | Language and Literacy: Principles and Practices in Childhood Special Education | 3 | ||
| Year 2 |
FALL | ECPSE 722 | Applied Behavior Analysis & Positive Behavioral Supports | 3 |
| ECPSE 710 | Curriculum and Instruction for Childhood Special Education | 3 | ||
| SPRING | ECPSE 711 | Advanced Seminar in Childhood Special Education | 3 | |
| ECPSE 720 | Trends and Issues in the Education of Students with Severe Disabilities | 3 | ||
| SUMMER | ECPSE 725 | Internship in Severe Disabilities | 6 | |
| Year 3 |
FALL | ECPSE 746 | Research in Special Education | 3 |
| SPRING | ECPSE 748 | Advanced Research in Special Education | 3 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 36 |
| Year | Semester | Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
| Year 1 |
FALL | ECPSE 700 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| ECPSE 702 | Introduction to Assessment in Childhood Special Education | 3 | ||
| ECPSE 722 | Applied Behavior Analysis & Positive Behavioral Supports | 3 | ||
| SPRING | ECPSE 713 | Language and Literacy: Principles and Practices in Childhood Special Education | 3 | |
| ECPSE 708 | Collaboration with Families and School-based Teams | 3 | ||
| ECPSE 720 | Trends and Issues in the Education of Students with Severe Disabilities | 3 | ||
| SUMMER | ECPSE 725 | Internship in Severe Disabilities | 6 | |
| Year 2 |
FALL | ECPSE 710 | Curriculum and Instruction for Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| ECPSE 746 | Research in Special Education | 3 | ||
| SPRING | ECPSE 711 | Advanced Seminar in Childhood Special Education | 3 | |
| ECPSE 748 | Advanced Research in Special Education | 3 | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 36 |
Program Completion
To graduate, all GPSE candidates are required to meet the following requirements:
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete all coursework.
- Perform successfully on all program-level and divisional-level assessments.
Candidates receiving MSED degrees must also:
- Successfully complete a research project developed with, supervised, and supported by a faculty member.
Candidates are responsible for ensuring that all requirements have been met for graduation. Incompletes must be resolved and ample time must be allowed for processing the change of grade forms. Candidates must apply for graduation on their CUNYFirst account. It is the candidate’s responsibility to follow up to ensure that all paperwork is processed in time for graduation.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the MSED in Special Education Programs must:
- Hold an initial/provisional certificate in general education in the age/school range of the special education program to which they apply (Birth–Grade 2; Grades 1–6; Grades 7-12).
- An overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or better from their undergraduate studies.
- Write a well-organized, well-conceptualized essay that clearly communicates their reasons for pursuing a degree in special education. Indicate the nature of their current and past experiences with people with disabilities.
- Provide three letters of recommendation from professional sources. The letters must demonstrate the applicant’s superior abilities, qualities, and potential as a graduate candidate in special education.
- SPECIAL NOTE – As of 11/15/2021 the GRE in no longer required for admissions
Certification
Candidates who meet the requirements for graduation, and who have completed all required New York State seminars and have taken all required Content Specialty Tests (CST) will be recommended to the New York State Education Department by the Queens College Office of Teacher Certification for extensions to their licenses in Teaching Students with Disabilities at the appropriate age/grade level.