Program Overview

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Introduction to the Special Education & Childhood Education Combined Program

The Special Education & Childhood Education Combined Program at Plattsburgh State University of New York is designed to prepare teacher education candidates to work with students, parents, and administrators in a rapidly changing educational landscape. This program allows students to maximize their university experience by studying both a liberal arts concentration and the principles of teaching and learning.

What Will I Learn?

In this program, students will learn how to work with students, parents, and administrators in a dynamic educational environment. The program focuses on field experience, with students participating in field experiences in schools, day-care centers, after-school programs, and other educational agencies throughout each semester. In the ninth semester, students will engage in a six-week practicum experience in a birth-2nd grade special education setting, followed by two eight-week teaching experiences in the tenth semester.

What is Unique About Our Program?

The Special Education & Childhood Education Combined Program offers several unique features, including:

• The opportunity to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in only five years
• Over 500 hours of field experience prior to student teaching
• Updated course content developed collaboratively by faculty from childhood, special, and literacy education
• Close relationships with faculty and peers, and excellent teaching in both the college classroom and elementary schools

What Are My Career Opportunities?

Graduates of this combined program can teach in various settings, including:

• Grades K through 6 in public schools in New York State for both special education and childhood education
• Special education birth-2nd grades
• Early intervention/preschool programs
• Private schools in the United States
• Grades K through 6 in states with reciprocity with New York certification

Teaching In Other States

New York has interstate contracts (Reciprocal Certification Agreements) with over 40 other states and jurisdictions, increasing the value of a SUNY Plattsburgh degree and New York State certification. This allows graduates to pursue teaching opportunities across the U.S.

Program Requirements

The Childhood Education and Special Education Combined Program requires:

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to enter and remain in the program
• A grade of C or better in all required education courses
• Minimum grade of C in all cognate and concentration courses
• A two-semester, beginning-level sequence or demonstration of proficiency in a language other than English or in American Sign Language
• Minimum grade of C in English 101
• Professional ethical behaviors and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in all required major courses

Cognate Requirements

The program includes cognate requirements such as:

• EDR 315: Teaching English Language Learners in the Elementary Classroom
• EDR 360: Foundations of Literacy Development
• EDS 410: Foundations of Special Education
• EDU 321: Ethics and Professional Responsibilities for Classroom Teachers

Concentration Requirements

The concentration requirements include:

• Generalist Content: 15 credits, with at least one course from each of the General Content areas (English Language Arts, Mathematics, the Arts, Social Studies, and Science)
• Specialization Content: 15 credits, with a minimum of 9 credits at the 300 or 400 level, from one of the Specialization Content areas (The Arts, English Language Arts, Modern Languages and Cultures, Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM), Social Studies, or Interdisciplinary)

Major Departmental Requirements

The major departmental requirements include 42 credits of coursework, such as:

• EDS 201: Infants and Young Children with Exceptional Needs
• EDS 405: Literacy for Students with Exceptional Learning Needs
• EDS 424: Autism Spectrum Disorders
• EDU 120: Exploring Teaching, Learning, and Child Development
• EDU 130: Ethics, Relationships, and Multicultural Competencies in Education

Graduate Requirements

The graduate requirements include 42 credits of coursework, such as:

• EDS 506: Assessment, Evaluation, and Learning
• EDS 507: Prosocial Skills, Positive Behavior Supports B-12
• EDS 508: Practicum in Special Education Birth to Grade 2
• EDS 520: Specific Learning Disabilities/School and Society
• EDS 521: Students with Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Low-Incidence Disabilities B-12

Additional Degree Requirements

All education majors must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• A grade of C or better in all required education courses
• Minimum grade of C in all cognate and concentration courses
• A two-semester, beginning-level sequence or demonstration of proficiency in a language other than English or in American Sign Language
• Minimum grade of C in English 101
• Professional ethical behaviors
• A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in all required major courses
• Completion of all Undergraduate Degree Requirements, including General Education: The Cardinal Core Curriculum, elective courses if applicable, and a total of 150 credits minimum.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

The Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)/Special Education Birth to Grade 6, B.S./M.S.Ed. programs at SUNY Plattsburgh are registered by the New York State Education Department and meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in New York State. The program also meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in other states with which New York has reciprocity agreements.

Additional Degrees in Teacher Education

SUNY Plattsburgh offers various degrees in teacher education, including:

• Bachelors Degree: Childhood (Elementary) Education B.S.
• 5-Year Combined Bachelors & Masters Programs: Adolescence Education Grades 712 B.A./M.S.T.
• Masters Degrees: Adolescence Education Grades 712 M.S.T., Childhood Education Grades 16 M.S.T., Special Education BirthGrade 6 or Grades 712 M.S.Ed.
• Certificate Programs: School Building Leader Certificate of Advanced Study, School District Leader Graduate Certificate, Special Education Advanced Certificate, Teacher Leadership Graduate Certificate