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About Graduate Programs in Special Education
Graduate programs in special education are designed to develop competent, caring, and qualified special educators to teach diverse learners who present with disabilities in both inclusive and specialized urban settings. The programs' philosophical, conceptual, and instructional underpinnings derive from values and standards established by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the New York State Learning Standards, as well as the Lehman Urban Transformative Education (LUTE) framework, which recognizes difference and diversity as foundations for learning and teaching.
Lehman's programs work collaboratively with school personnel, parents, family and community members, and local community organizations to create humanistic, nurturing environments that are responsive to the needs of children in urban settings.
Lehman has several options of study available in special education:
For entering students who have already earned an Initial Teaching Certificate from New York State at either the Early Childhood, Childhood, or Adolescent developmental level, concentrations are available in Early Childhood Special Education, Childhood Special Education, Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist (Adolescent Special Education), Bilingual Early Childhood Special Education, and Bilingual Childhood Special Education.
For entering students who have had no prior training in education, a Dual Certification Program in Special Education and General Education is available at both the Early Childhood and the Childhood levels, as well as the bilingual extension. Students will be required to take twelve additional credits (to be identified in consultation with a special education adviser) in addition to the 36 credits of the special education masters degree and/or the additional credits required for the bilingual extension.
Students who have had no prior training in education at the grades 7-12 level and are interested in pursuing a generalist certificate, which would allow them to teach in supportive roles such as consultant teachers, resource room service providers, and integrated co-teachers, may enroll in the Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist program, contingent on meeting New York State teacher certification prerequisites.
The Early Childhood Special Education, Childhood Special Education, Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist (Adolescent Special Education), Bilingual Early Childhood Special Education, and Bilingual Childhood Special Education Programs are structured non-categorically (not by any one specific disability condition), and require students to enroll in the program that corresponds to the developmental level of their Initial Teaching Certificate or the developmental level at which they intend to teach. Field work, supervised practica teaching, and student teaching in both inclusive and specialized settings are integral to the programs.
Upon completion of one of the five Special Education programs, candidates will qualify for an Initial or a Professional Teaching Certificate in Teaching Students with Disabilities at a specific developmental level, a Master's degree in Special Education or Bilingual Special Education at a specific developmental level, and a Professional Teaching Certificate in the area of the Initial Teaching Certificate earned.
Graduate Bulletin: Admission, Continuation and Graduation Requirements:
Visit the Graduate Bulletin Programs in Special Education for details
Contact the Coordinator on the faculty listing page for more infomation about your program:
- Dr. Sheila Blachman
- General information for Bilingual Early Childhood Special Education
- General information for Bilingual Childhood Special Education
- Dr. Danielle Magaldi
Advising Worksheets
