About the Post-Masters Certification
This online program is designed for candidates who have a Master’s in Education and initial/professional certification in an area of general education from New York State.
The program prepares candidates to teach students with disabilities in grades PreK-12. This program leads to a recommendation for NYS certification for Students with Disabilities: All Grades (PreK-12). To receive initial certification, students must also pass the applicable New York State certification exams and fulfill other New York State certification requirements.
New York State Education Department (NYSED) has created a new Students with Disabilities (SWD) All Grades certification that permits educators to teach students with disabilities in Pre-K through Grade 12 in NYS. Teachers who already hold a valid special education certification should consider obtaining the new All Grades SWD certification to allow them to work with students with disabilities in all grade levels, ages 3-21.
Some candidates may already hold certification in one of these three grade bands: Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2), Childhood (Grades 1-6), and Adolescence (Grades 7-12). Candidates with these existing special education certification titles may have already met the requirements for the new All Grades SWD certification. To learn more about this new special education certification, please reach out to our Teacher Certification Office for individualized guidance and information.
Additionally, Buffalo State University (Exceptional Education) offers a New York State-approved graduate program that is offered fully online for teachers with existing, non-SWD certification, that leads to eligibility for special education certification in Preschool-12th grade.
Admission Requirements
- Completed a master’s degree in education;
- Obtained an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better from master’s program.
- Have New York State Teacher Certification at the initial (provisional) and/or professional (permanent) level in an area of general education.
- Completed three credit hour college-level course in introduction to the nature and needs of students with disabilities (e.g., EXE 100 or course equivalent) with a minimum grade of C for undergraduate coursework and a minimum grade of B for graduate-level coursework. Each applicant will have completed this requirement as an undergraduate or will be required to complete EXE 500 or course equivalent.
- Completion of online application.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1. analyze the characteristics, needs, and strengths of individuals with disabilities across various disability categories and age ranges.
2. evaluate, select, administer, and interpret educational assessments tailored to the needs of students with disabilities.
3. apply evidence-based positive behavior support strategies to manage classroom environments effectively and address the behavioral needs of students with disabilities.
4. create and implement instructional strategies and accommodations that address the diverse learning needs of students with disabilities, incorporating evidence-based practices and differentiation.
5. demonstrate competence in assessment, instruction, collaboration, and professionalism in special education setting(s).
6. collaborate effectively with colleagues, parents, and other stakeholders to support the academic, social, and emotional needs of students with disabilities.
7. reflect critically on their teaching practices and decision-making processes, continuously seeking opportunities for professional growth and improvement.
EXE 500 INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS* 0-3
EXE 501 EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
EXE 502 MANAGING CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT AND POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORTS** 3
or EXE 511 WRITING IEPS ACROSS THE P-12 GRADE SPAN
EXE 503 INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 3
EXE 679 PRACTICUM—SPECIAL EDUCATION ALL GRADES*** 3
Total Credit Hours 12-15
*This course is only required for those who did not meet this entrance admission criterion.
** EXE 502 is required for those who did not previously take a college-level classroom management course. All others will be required to take EXE 511.
***EXE 679 Practicum Special Education All Grades can be supervised remotely. There is no need to physically be in Western New York.
Contact Us
For More Information and Admission Criteria
Professor
(716) 878-3038
Exceptional Education Department
Ketchum Hall 204C
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo NY, 14222
doodykr@buffalostate.edu