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Certificate of Advanced Study in Special Education (CAS)

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One-year Online Certificate (CAS) in Special Education

20 Hidden Gems - New York - Online Schools Guide 2023

Be the special-ed teacher you’ve always admired.

Combine our strong tradition in special education and expert teaching faculty with the freedom to learn on your own time, and you get Saint Rose’s certificate in special education: an exceptional learning experience that won’t disrupt your day job.

Earn a Saint Rose certificate in special education – strictly on your schedule.

A premier special-education experience

As an aspiring special-ed teacher, you understand the importance of creating the ideal learning situation for any student with disabilities, whether that means requesting extra time for tests, finding quiet space, using special learning technology, or working with students’ families and schools to develop effective learning plans.

For teachers or teachers’ assistants with general-education certification who hold (or are earning) a master’s degree in education, our 15-credit certification-only program:

  • Is designed by full-time special-education faculty who are leaders in their field
  • Is offered both online and on campus, so you can mix and match options to suit your schedule and learning style
  • Provides you with the latest resources, methodologies, and strategies in special education, and plenty of hands-on application to put your learning into practice
  • Prepares you to be a confident, knowledgeable special-education teacher who effectively addresses each individual’s capabilities, learning differences, and development, collaborating with families, schools, and service providers to ensure the best outcome for each student.

How it Works

Asynchronous delivery – with a strong personal connection

To accommodate busy professionals who can’t attend daytime classes, we’ve made our entire curriculum available online.

So, you can log on and study at whatever time is most convenient for you:

  • Our eight-week course schedule allows you to focus on one subject at a time: Coursework is highly structured into modules with resources, activities, and strict deadlines to ensure your progress
  • Receive weekly individual feedback from your instructor, and take advantage of faculty online office hours to ensure your understanding
  • Connect with classmates through online discussions, peer reviews, and other opportunities to build camaraderie
  • Do your student teaching during the summer term, when many schools offer programs for children with disabilities.

Program Highlights

A longstanding leader in preparing special-education teachers for the challenges of today’s diverse learners, Saint Rose has designed this certification program to deliver the crucial features of our on-campus experience:

  • Thorough training in special-education concepts, assessment tools, and evidence-based instructional strategies and methodologies for groups and individuals
  • The latest resources, research, and technological tools, including GoReact, an app that allows your instructor to critique your classroom teaching in real time
  • A semester of student teaching in a location that’s convenient for you, drawing on Saint Rose’s longstanding relationships throughout the education community
  • This Certificate of Advanced Study program is offered at a discounted rate of $600 per credit.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be:

  • Eligible for state certification as a special-education teacher
  • Prepared to work with the highest standards of professional ethics, and respect for the rights and responsibilities of all students and their families, instructors, administrators, and providers
  • Ready with the knowledge and skills to create an inclusive, supportive learning environment that welcomes students of all learning abilities and at all developmental levels.

Exceptional faculty

Outstanding researchers and practitioners who put your education first.

Dr. Susan DeLuke Associate Professor

Dr. DeLuke, director of social intervention programs at Saint Rose, consults to school districts across New York State on students with disabilities, and has worked as a school administrator and special-education teacher. Her teaching interests include behavior supports, assessment, and intervention; emotional, behavior, and mental-health concerns for children and youth; and autism spectrum disorders. Research interests include autism spectrum disorder, merging special- and general-education programs, and families advocating for their children with disabilities.

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Greta Smith G’75 College supervisor for student teachers

Professor Smith has taught special education at Saint Rose since 1998. She has worked in school districts as a special-education teacher and administrator, literacy supervisor, and data analyst/chief information officer, and was named the Teacher of the Year 1997-1998 by Fort Plain Central School. Her teaching interests include laws and regulations for students with special needs, individualized education program development, collaboration and co-teaching models, curriculum development, and generational poverty and learning strategies for students of poverty. She has authored two textbook series for students with special needs.

Dr. Julienne Slichko Assistant Professor

With many years of experience as a special education teacher in Capital District schools, Dr. Slichko helped develop the teaching practicum and was an instructional developer at University at Albany, where she helped faculty teach effectively using online technology. Her teaching interests include exceptionality, inclusion, partnerships with families, and assessment. She has published papers on teaching students with disabilities, the use of technology in teaching individuals on the autism spectrum, and comparison of best practices in school districts.

Our online program is strategically designed to foster an online
professional learning community through the cohort model. Although the entire program is asynchronous, there will be synchronous opportunities to collaborate with professors, as well as classmates. – Julienne Slichko, Ph.D.

View Full Bio

Dr. Susan DeLukeAssociate Professor

Dr. DeLuke, director of social intervention programs at Saint Rose, consults to school districts across New York State on students with disabilities, and has worked as a school administrator and special-education teacher. Her teaching interests include behavior supports, assessment, and intervention; emotional, behavior, and mental-health concerns for children and youth; and autism spectrum disorders. Research interests include autism spectrum disorder, merging special- and general-education programs, and families advocating for their children with disabilities.

View Full Bio

Greta Smith G’75College supervisor for student teachers

Professor Smith has taught special education at Saint Rose since 1998. She has worked in school districts as a special-education teacher and administrator, literacy supervisor, and data analyst/chief information officer, and was named the Teacher of the Year 1997-1998 by Fort Plain Central School. Her teaching interests include laws and regulations for students with special needs, individualized education program development, collaboration and co-teaching models, curriculum development, and generational poverty and learning strategies for students of poverty. She has authored two textbook series for students with special needs.

Dr. Julienne SlichkoAssistant Professor

With many years of experience as a special education teacher in Capital District schools, Dr. Slichko helped develop the teaching practicum and was an instructional developer at University at Albany, where she helped faculty teach effectively using online technology. Her teaching interests include exceptionality, inclusion, partnerships with families, and assessment. She has published papers on teaching students with disabilities, the use of technology in teaching individuals on the autism spectrum, and comparison of best practices in school districts.

Our online program is strategically designed to foster an online
professional learning community through the cohort model. Although the entire program is asynchronous, there will be synchronous opportunities to collaborate with professors, as well as classmates. – Julienne Slichko, Ph.D.

View Full Bio

Theresa Ward, Ed.D. Associate Professor

Dr. Ward’s teaching and research interests include inclusive education, systems change, differentiated instruction, teacher education, and policy studies.

We’ve built in a high level of personal outreach to ensure that you feel our campus commitment to caring for our students. You’ll develop relationships with classmates as you study the coursework and begin your student teaching. In addition, we designed our unique scheduling options to allow busy professionals to focus on one course at a time. – Theresa Ward, Ed.D.

Theresa Ward, Ed.D.Associate Professor

Dr. Ward’s teaching and research interests include inclusive education, systems change, differentiated instruction, teacher education, and policy studies.

We’ve built in a high level of personal outreach to ensure that you feel our campus commitment to caring for our students. You’ll develop relationships with classmates as you study the coursework and begin your student teaching. In addition, we designed our unique scheduling options to allow busy professionals to focus on one course at a time. – Theresa Ward, Ed.D.

Curriculum

Take the courses that correspond with your area of specialization:

  • Early Childhood
  • Childhood
  • Middle
  • Adolescence Education
Term Coursework
Spring Semester Special education foundations (3 credits), behavior management (3 credits)
Summer Term Assessment of students with disabilities (3 credits), student teaching (3 credits)
Fall semester Special education curriculum (3 credits)

Great outcomes for special educators

The Certificate Program from Saint Rose allowed me to add a deeper level of understanding to my interactions with students. By receiving course work specific to students with special needs, I have been able to bring a deeper level of empathy and positivity to my teaching. The experience and passion of the instructors at Saint Rose made this an effective program to expand my understanding (and my certification!).

Ben Greenstone
Benjamin Greenstone
Lead special education teacher,
Troy Prep Elementary, Troy, NY

Contact Us Now

Of course, if you have any questions, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Dr. Susan DeLuke

Associate Professor of Special Education

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