Program Overview

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Master of Arts in Teaching

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Transformational Teaching Students with Disabilities and Computer Science is a year-long program that prepares students to work with students with disabilities and within computer science education contexts. The program combines dynamic computer science education research with established special education practices, furthering the work of equitable and inclusive educators who create meaningful experiences and varied access points.

Official Degree Title

Master of Arts in Teaching in Transformational Teaching Students with Disabilities and Computer Science

Licensure or Certification

This program leads to eligibility for initial teaching certification in Students with Disabilities Generalist 712 and Teaching a Special Subject (All Grades): Computer Science. As an MAT program, this program will also count towards eligibility for NYS professional certification.

Format

Full-time or Part-time

Credits

38

Start Date

Fall

Application Deadline

January 15

What You'll Learn

Upon completing the MAT program, students will have the knowledge and foundation to:

• Build relationships with students and parents with the goal of fostering student learning, engagement, and wellbeing
• Integrate theory/research and practice
• Develop and implement discipline-based curricula, unit plans, and lessons that are coherent, use culturally relevant pedagogies, and foster experiential learning
• Individualize instruction and assessment activities to meet the needs of students with disabilities
• Create and apply classroom strategies that are explicit, innovative, appropriate for a specific context, and use technology to support student learning
• Develop a practice that is equitable and inclusive, particularly as it pertains to the social, historical, and political implications of ableism

Your Academic Experience

Students will take comprehensive coursework that combines cutting-edge research in computer science education with special education methods, often within the same class. The program also integrates bilingual education into the coursework. The cohort is small by design, allowing for individualized support, connection with faculty, and development of a community with peers that will last beyond studies.

Fieldwork Placement

The fieldwork placement will be customized based on the student's goals and focused on computer science and students with disabilities, with opportunities to work in a variety of grade levels and school settings. The program prepares students to teach in diverse urban districts, and the partnership network around New York City helps translate learning into practice.

Careers and Outcomes

Graduates will be prepared for a breadth of education careers, including:

• Computer science teacher in elementary, middle, or high school
• Special education teacher in middle or high school
• Teacher in other subjects who integrates computer science into the curriculum
• Computer science or special education curriculum specialist, developer, or evaluator
• Computer science or special education program coordinator in schools and school districts

Why This Program?

The program is committed to innovative and accessible teacher education. Beginning Fall 2026, every newly admitted full-time student in the MAT in Teaching Students with Disabilities and Teaching Computer Science, Grades 712: Dual Initial Certification program will receive a $20,000 per year scholarship.

Funding from the National Science Foundation's Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program

The program offers funding from the National Science Foundation for the first class of students. Whether students begin their MAT coursework in their senior year or join the program with a completed undergraduate degree, they will receive scholarship support for their studies. Noyce Scholars also receive mentorship with paid induction activities in the first year of teaching.

Why Computer Science (CS)?

Computer Science education includes computational thinking skills, digital fluency, digital citizenship, and digital privacy all skills that students need to be successful and safe in all fields. CS classrooms can be gatekeepers to the field, leading to disproportionate demographics in CS career paths as well as the design of technologies with unjust consequences.

Why Special Education?

More than 200,000 public school students in NYC are eligible for special education services, and there is a continual need for certified special education teachers in various academic settings. All students should have supports and opportunities to reach their full potential. Learning more about inclusive pedagogy will benefit all students in the classroom, not just those with documented services.