The Department of Human Services and Counseling
offers a graduate level program leading to initial state
certificate valid for teaching students with disabilities at the
childhood level (grades 1-6). This 33 credit program is
designed to foster the development of skills, attitudes, and
abilities needed to identify and remediate major learning and
behavior disorders and to instruct individuals at the childhood
level who manifest learning and behavioral problems ranging from
mild to profound, regardless of etiology. Attention is paid
to diagnosis, intervention, program planning, program evaluation,
and research. Completion of this 33 credit program qualities
students for New York State initial certification as a teacher of
students with disabilities at the childhood level (grades 1-6)
provided students have successfully completed all State mandated
external exams, training modules and teaching experiences.
For further information, students are advised to contact their
academic advisor or the Chair, and review our Graduate FAQs.
Admissions Requirement
Applicants must submit the following evidence of their ability to
pursue graduate study:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or
university. Undergraduate scholastic achievement must be such as to
give reasonable assurance of success in work for an advanced
degree. Normally, this would be at least a “B,” both in the general
average and in the major field.
- The special education program serves students who have received
or who have qualified for the New York State initial teaching
certificate.
- In addition to meeting all academic prerequisites, prospective
online students must meet rudimentary computer proficiency
requirements, such as internet experience, logging on, cutting and
pasting text using word processing software, and attaching
documents as e-mail attachments.
Graduate Admission
Information
Kelly K. Ronayne, D.A.
Associate Dean
Office of Graduate Admissions
The School of Education
St. John’s University
8000 Utopia Parkway
Queens, NY 11439
(718) 990-2304
graded@stjohns.edu
Program Contact
Deirdre Mithaug, Ph.D.
Online Learning Coordinator for Teaching Children with
Disabilities
Department of Human Services and Counseling
8000 Utopia Parkway
Queens, NY 11439
(718) 990-2631
mithaugd@stjohns.edu