Inclusive Special Education

The online master's degree in inclusive special education is designed to help teachers to meet the ever-changing demands of diverse classrooms and may be completed by teachers with certification in nearly any area or grade level.  Teachers will learn to differentiate instruction and assessment to meet the needs of students with the full range of exceptionalities, including students with disabilities, English Language Learners (ELL), students who have experienced trauma and students who may be gifted. 

This degree prepares candidates for the NYS K-12 special education certification, and meets the master’s degree requirement for professional certification in New York state.  

Learn to give individualized instruction in diverse and inclusive settings

Building on our Franciscan values of community, compassion, wisdom and integrity, we strive to create inclusive communities that value the unique characteristics of each student as a asset, from which to learn. This program prepares and mentors professionals who are able to individualize instruction in inclusive and collaborative environments. Using critical pedagogy to meet the needs of diverse and marginalized populations, including students with disabilities, students with English as a New Language (ENL) needs, and students experiencing trauma or living in poverty, teachers will become leaders and agents of change.  

This program is founded in the School of Education conceptual framework of competence, experience, and social justice. Students integrate social justice into their practice with respect for diversity, dignity and worth and creating learning experiences that are mindful of a full range of student diversity. 

A program that provides you with a unique and effective skill set 

Our inclusive special education program is designed to help graduates acquire:

• Knowledge of the inclusion process of students with disabilities in general education classrooms.   

• A deeper understanding of collaboration and the develop the ability to foster it, overcoming the usual barriers.

• Assessment and data literacies to meet the needs of all learners.
• Strategies to individualize and differentiate instruction for students with disabilities.
• The means to individualize and differentiate STEM content for all learners.
• The ability to provide the basic supports that students with English as a New Language (ENL) need from all teachers.
• The ability to integrate meaningful instructional and assistive technologies.   
• The ability to design supportive environments to meet the social, emotional and behavioral needs of most learners.
• Knowledge of Trauma Informed Care, and develop a better understanding of students with emotional and behavioral disorders. 

• Inclusive Special Education, MSED