About the Program
Dual Certification Program: Teachers of Childhood Special Education and Childhood Education
Accredited: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) (formerly NCATE)
Enrollment in all teacher education programs follows the guidelines for "Admission to Teacher Education Programs" found in this catalog. Applicants who do not yet meet all admissions criteria should consult with the department.
Professional Licensure: This program leads to a recommendation for NYS certification; please check for certification requirements in all other states.
Undergraduate majors in special education and childhood education study within a cross-categorical program focusing on the education of students who have a variety of regular and special instructional needs. Included are students in disability groups traditionally associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical/neurological disabilities, and learning and behavioral difficulties.
Graduates of the program typically obtain positions as teachers in inclusive classrooms, resource rooms, self-contained classrooms, special schools, residential facilities, or as consultant teachers in general education settings. Students who pursue initial certification in both childhood special education and childhood education are particularly well qualified to work with students with special needs in integrated education settings. Students in exceptional education complete coursework in elementary education and special education to be recommended for initial certifications as a teacher of childhood education (grades 1–6) and childhood special education (grades 1-6) in New York State.
To obtain New York State teacher certification, all candidates who successfully complete the program will be required to pass all New York State Teacher Certification Examinations for special education and childhood education.
Candidates who successfully complete the program will be recommended for initial certification. To obtain New York State teacher certification, all candidates who successfully complete the program will be required to pass all New York State Teacher Certification Examinations for Special Education and for their developmental area (Early Childhood, Childhood, Generalist 7-12).
Candidates should consult the Teacher Certification website for current seminars and workshops.
Admission Requirements
Enrollment in all teacher education programs follows the guidelines for “Admission to Teacher Education Programs” found in this catalog. Applicants who do not yet meet all admission criteria should consult with the department. Entering first-year students who express an interest in special education and childhood education on their applications to Buffalo State who meet the required admissions criteria for teacher education programs will be accepted into special education and childhood education. Candidates who do not yet meet the minimum criteria may be accepted into the premajor. They may apply for the full major after
successfully completing 12 credit hours at Buffalo State, and earning a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Transfer students from other colleges or Buffalo State students who wish to transfer from another major, will be directly accepted into the special education and childhood education program if they meet all minimum criteria for teacher education programs. Candidates who do not meet all of the minimum criteria may be accepted as premajors if they have not completed 60 or more credit hours. They may apply for the full major after successfully completing 12 credit hours at Buffalo State; and earning a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Buffalo State students who are undeclared or wishing to change to an special education and childhood education major from another major will be accepted directly into the program if they meet all of the minimum criteria for teacher education programs. Candidates who do not meet all of the minimum criteria may be accepted as premajors if they have not completed 60 or more credit hours. They may apply for the full major after successfully completing 12 credit hours at Buffalo State; and earning a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Program Requirements
General Education 23 Requirements
30 credit hours 1 30
Total Required Credit Hours for Concentration (30 credit hours)
A concentration can be in one of the following subjects:
American Studies
English
Liberal Arts
Math
Science
Social Studies
Spanish
Urban Studies
Distribution Courses beyond GE23
9 credit hours 9
Special Education and Childhood Education Major Requirements (63 credit hours)
EDU 211 INTRODUCTION TO LITERACY 3
EDU 310 TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3
EDU 313 TEACHING SCIENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD AND CHILDHOOD SETTINGS 3
EDU 322 LITERACY INSTRUCTION IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3
EDU 316 TEACHING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MATHEMATICS 6
EDU 404 PRACTICUM IN ELEMENTARY TEACHING FOR EX ED & MIDDLE SCHOOL EX STUDENTS 6
EXE 100 NATURE AND NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS 3
EXE 221 FOUNDATIONS OF EFFECTIVE ASSESSMENT AND INSTRUCTION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
EXE 311 WRITING IEPS ACROSS THE P-12 GRADE SPAN 3
EXE 321 ADAPTING AND INTENSIFYING LITERACY INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 3
EXE/EDU 323 FIELD PLACEMENT IN LITERACY METHODS FOR CHILDREN WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES 3
EXE 362 BEHAVIOR AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT 3
EXE 364 EDUCATING STUDENTS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES 3
EXE 390 STRATEGIES AND TECHNOLOGY TO ACCESS AND ADAPT CONTENT AREA INSTRUCTION 3
EXE 420 PRACTICUM IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 6
SPF 202 CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION 3
SPF 203 SCHOOL AND SOCIETY 3
SPF 302 EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY: ELEMENTARY EDUCATION 3
Total 120-126
1 Some General Education 23 courses may overlap with required courses in the major, distribution, and concentration which could significantly reduce the total number of credit hours required. Advisement is strongly encouraged.