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Special Education and Childhood (Grade 1 - Grade 6)

Bachelor of Arts

Overview of Special Education and Childhood Program

Students who choose the Special Education and Childhood program will be qualified to teach children in the elementary grades 1-6, as well as children receiving special education services (grades 1-6). This program is recommended for those who are interested in working with students with disabilities as a special education teacher, teaching in elementary education, or being highly prepared for inclusive classrooms at the childhood level (grades 1-6).

This program is recommended for students who would like to teach at the childhood level or the subject-specific middle school level.

Successful completion of the program leads to New York state initial certifications in BOTH special education (grades 1-6) & childhood education (grades 1-6).

Sixty credits of general education courses are common to all bachelor’s degree programs. These courses are designed to develop the skills – critical thinking, informational literacy, communications, and the ability to work effectively with diverse groups — as well as the ethics and values that will enable students to succeed and make a difference in the lives of others.  

Faculty will assist student in choosing general education courses that link to their field of education and some general education courses satisfy program requirements.

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Why Special Education and Childhood at NU?

Academic Concentrations

Students can choose from one of six concentrations areas: English Language Arts, Liberal Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Spanish and French.

Field Experience

Students begin observing and working in the classroom in their freshman year.

Accredited in Canada

Students earn their initial NY State teacher certification and with the assistance of NU, can apply through the Ontario College of Teachers to be certified in Ontario.

Comprehensive Field Experience

All programs require comprehensive clinical field experience. The opportunity to observe and begin working with qualified teachers on various aspects of the teaching-learning process begins during the freshman year, and is required throughout the program. Field placements are aligned with coursework, include specific assignments and responsibilities, and are completed in three phases:

  • Phase 1: Education Impact Field Experience
    Candidates begin IMPACT placements in area schools as freshmen, minimally 20 hours each semester across five semesters. Transportation is provided to students as needed. And placements are arranged by the university in accordance with education/professional coursework and the area(s) of certification. Candidates are expected to complete all required field experience to be eligible for their teaching assistantship, establishing a comprehensive clinical experience.  
  • Phase 2:  Teaching Assistantship
    Aligned with the methods (400-level pedagogy) courses, candidates complete two placements resulting in a minimum of 60 hours in a classroom. Candidates in this phase are expected to continue to develop the competencies set forth by the program standards and to have experiences with various methodological approaches as relate to actual classroom practice and address student learning across content field and grade-level curriculum expectations.  
  • Phase 3:  Student Teaching
    Student Teaching is a culminating experience that is required of all candidates for completion of the program and teacher certification. Students will spend a total of 14 weeks student teaching (two full-time seven-week placements, one in each area of certification). The Student Teaching Handbook outlines all candidate expectations, which include planning, teaching and assessing instructional units, aligned to the curriculum and addressing student needs. 
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Paula Prohaska

Paula Prohaska
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Ciminelli

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Falzone

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Poland

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Riegel

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Sarchet

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Sheeran

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Valentin

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Whittaker

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Wild

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