Special Education
(Master of Science in Education)

The Special Education graduate programs at The College of Saint Rose are designed to meet the educational needs of students who are seeking an additional certification in special education, or an initial certification in childhood education/ special education or adolescence education/special education. Additionally, there are programs in Advanced Study and Professional Special Education for those applicants who already hold provisional or initial special education certification.

The Saint Rose Difference
Teachers working with children who have special needs experience great joys and challenges in the classroom. Students who want to work with children who have special needs require a different kind of education—a Saint Rose education that will prepare them for the multitude of situations they will face and embrace. At The College of Saint Rose, special education students work closely with faculty and practicing teachers in a variety of local schools and agencies, and since field experiences are linked closely to course content, school administrators recognize our graduates as being well prepared for the classroom. In fact, one-third of the teachers in the Capital District received at least one of their degrees from The College of Saint Rose.

Program Options in Special Education:
Special Education 1-6 (39 credits)
Designed for students who already hold certification in elementary education or childhood education. This program includes a three-credit student teaching experience. It will fulfill initial certification requirements to teach special education at the elementary school level.
Special Education Adolescence (36 credits) Designed for students who are certified in secondary education or adolescence education. This program includes a three-credit student teaching experience. It will fulfill initial certification requirements to teach special education at the middle and high school levels.

Childhood Education/Special Education 1-6
(57 credits)
For candidates who do not have certification in elementary or childhood education. This program includes a nine-credit student teaching experience and may require additional liberal education classes. It will fulfill initial certification to teach in inclusive classrooms or special education classrooms at the elementary level.

Adolescence Education/Special Education Adolescence 7-12 (54 credits)
For candidates who do not have secondary or adolescence certification. This program includes a nine-credit student teaching experience and may require additional liberal education classes. It will fulfill initial certification to teach in content areas and special education classrooms in grades 7-12.

Advanced Study in Special Education (30 credits)
For students who hold provisional certification in special education. This program provides students with the opportunity to engage in more in-depth study that will enhance their skills as special educators. It will provide
permanent certification to teach special
education in grades K-12.

Professional Special Education (30 credits)
For students who hold initial certification in special education and are seeking professional special education certification. It will provide professional certification to compliment their special education certification in
grades 1-6 or 7-12.

Capstone Course
In the capstone course of all the master's programs in special education, each student completes an Action Research project. The faculty works closely with students as they refine and implement these projects. Current projects include the investigation of social skill development, identifying strategies to enhance math knowledge, and differentiating instruction.

Field Experience
While studying in the Saint Rose Special Education Department, candidates complete 50-100 hours of course-embedded field experience and at least one student teaching experience in a special education or inclusive setting. Saint Rose student teachers receive first-hand experience in applying research to practice in real-life settings by observing and working with veteran educators in local urban, suburban and rural school districts.

Internship in Special Education
A full-year paid internship opportunity is available for those applicants who possess provisional or initial certification in elementary/childhood or secondary/adolescence and are pursuing a graduate degree in special education. Interns are placed in inclusive classrooms under the supervision of a special education teacher and a faculty member in the special education department. Applicants should contact Graduate and Continuing Education Admissions for an internship application. Students must complete a minimum of 18 credits of their required coursework prior to beginning their internship. An interview may be required with the internship coordinator.

Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Saint Rose special education programs usually find jobs within six months of graduation and many graduates move into supervisory positions. All graduates are qualified to work as classroom teachers in special education classrooms, and graduates of the dual certification programs are qualified to teach in general education classrooms, as well. In addition, graduates may work in the human services field in support, respite, and residential programs for individuals with disabilities, or as consultants.

Admission Requirements
Admission to the special education programs is contingent upon admission to graduate study at The College of Saint Rose. Completion of all materials in the admissions packet is required. A personal interview with the department may be required. See specific programs for additional admissions requirements.

Candidates who wish to study childhood education/special education 1-6, but do not have certification in elementary or childhood education, and candidates who wish to study adolescence education/special education, but do not have certification in secondary or adolescence education, will need to meet coursework requirements in the areas of the liberal arts that are not offered as a part of the graduate program. Faculty will conduct a liberal arts assessment of a candidate's transcript upon application to the program. The responsibility for completing liberal arts deficiencies in a timely and appropriate manner rests with the student.

General graduate admission requirements include:

• A completed Saint Rose Graduate
  School Application;
• A baccalaureate degree from an
  accredited institution;
• Official transcripts from all colleges/
  universities attended; and
• An overall grade point average of at least 3.0.

Bilingual Extension
The College of Saint Rose offers the Bilingual Extension Program to classroom teachers who are seeking certification to teach in bilingual (Spanish/English) classroom settings. The program is designed to provide the theoretical and practical knowledge that teachers must have to address the unique needs of bilingual learners.

Students who are accepted to any of the master’s level teacher certification programs in the School of Education can pursue the Bilingual Education Extension without applying directly to this program.

Students must earn passing scores on the New York State Target Language (Spanish) Proficiency Assessment (prior to taking the Introduction to Spanish Linguistics course) and the New York State English Language Proficiency Assessment in order to become certified in bilingual education in New York.

Deadlines:
While Saint Rose Graduate School applications may be obtained from Graduate and Continuing Education Admissions, we encourage applicants to use our convenient
online application.

June 1:
Preferred Deadline for Fall Admission

October 15:
Preferred Deadline for Spring Admission

March 15:
Preferred Deadline for Summer Admission

There is no guarantee that applications received after deadlines can be reviewed in a timely enough manner to ensure matriculation and registration for the upcoming term.

Financial Aid
Opportunities
The College of Saint Rose offers a variety of academic and some need-based scholarships for graduate students. Interested students should contact Graduate and Continuing Education Admissions for specific details.

Academic, Multicultural & International Scholarships
Application deadline:
May 1—fall
November 1—spring

Graduate Assistantships Application deadline:
August 19

Second Chance Scholarship
Application deadline:
June 1—fall
November 1—spring

Federal and State Financial Aid Programs
Application deadline:
March 1

Deferred Payment Plan

Employer Assistance

Internship in Special Education
A full-year paid internship opportunity is available for those applicants who possess provisional or initial certification in elementary/childhood or secondary/adolescence education.

We understand that earning an advanced degree is a serious investment. That's why we invite you to tour our campus and speak with an admissions counselor.