Early Childhood Disabilities Education Advanced Certificate

Program Overview

The post-master's program in Early Childhood Disabilities Education prepares teachers with master's degrees in Early Childhood or Childhood Education to add the SWD Certification in Early Childhood or Childhood. Graduates are qualified to teach in inclusive, integrated, and self-contained classrooms, as well as homes and communities, and are equipped with the knowledge and skills to support infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary and elementary children with exceptionalities.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview:
The post-master's program in Early Childhood Disabilities Education prepares individuals to support infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary and elementary children and their families. Graduates are qualified to practice in inclusive, integrated, and self-contained classrooms, as well as homes and communities. The program is designed for teachers who hold New York State certifications and a master's degree in Early Childhood or Childhood Education, Birth – Grade 2, and allows teachers to add either the SWD Certification in Early Childhood or SWD Certification in Childhood.
• Objectives:
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
• Understand how exceptionalities may interact with development and learning and use this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences for individuals with exceptionalities.
• Create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners and develop emotional well-being, positive social interactions, and self-determination.
• Use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for individuals with exceptionalities.
• Use multiple methods of assessment and data sources in making educational decisions.
• Select, adapt, and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning of individuals with exceptionalities.
• Use foundational knowledge of the field and the professional Ethical Principles and Practice Standards to inform special education practice, to engage in lifelong learning, and to advance the profession.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods:
Courses are offered in the afternoon and evening. Some courses may be available in an online or hybrid format. Select courses have required fieldwork hours in classrooms, homes, or community settings. Students also participate in supervised teaching (student teaching and/or practicum) as the culmination of their course of study.
• Faculty:
The program's faculty includes:
• Kathy-Anne Jordan, Associate Professor, Special Education
• Christine Lang, Associate Professor, Special Education
• Susan Lapidus, Associate Professor, Special Education
• Roseanne Vallice Levy, Assistant Professor, SED | Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
• Sudha Ramaswamy, Associate Professor, Special Education | Department Chair, Special Education and Educational Leadership
• Ilene Rothschild, Associate Professor, Special Education

Careers:

• Career Opportunities:
Graduates are prepared to become teachers in early childhood or childhood special education classrooms as well as special education settings, birth through 2nd grade or first through 6th grade.