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Teaching Students with Disabilities (PreK-12), Master of Science in Education

This program is designed to foster teachers’ ability to develop the skills, attitudes, and abilities needed to identify and remediate major learning and behavior disorders, ranging from mild to profound, regardless of etiology.

The Teaching Students with Disabilities, Master of Science in Education (Queens and Distance) program is an a 30-credit program for students who already have initial NYS certification, and wish to obtain special education certification. It qualifies students for New York State initial certification as a teacher of students with disabilities grades PreK-12.

Coursework is designed to foster teachers’ ability to develop the skills, attitudes, and abilities needed to identify and remediate major learning and behavior disorders, ranging from mild to profound, regardless of etiology. Attention is also paid to diagnosis, intervention, program planning and program evaluation. The program also allows students the flexibility of attending class, accessing materials, and interacting with professors when most convenient for their schedule.

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Degree Type
MSEd
Area of Interest
Education
Associated Colleges or Schools
Program Location
  • Queens Campus
  • Online
Required Credit Hours
30

Admission

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, as well as initial NYS teaching certification. Undergraduate scholastic achievement must be such as to give reasonable assurance of success in work for an advanced degree. Normally this will be a “B,” both in the general average and in the major field.

Please view the School of Education Graduate Admission Application Requirements for detailed admission information.

Program Prerequisites: This Master’s degree can only be taken by students with initial NYS certification.

EDU 3200Language Acquisition and Literacy Development for General Education and English Language Learners (ELL) K-12 (20 hrs. Field work)

EDU 3280Digital Literacy and Learning

EDU 9003Literacy Development for First and Second Language Learners (Field Work Required)

Special Education Core Courses (21 credits)

EDU 9709Curriculum and Design, Differentiation and Accommodations for Diverse Learners PreK-12 (10 hrs fieldwork)

EDU 9711Education and Accommodating Needs for Individuals with Exceptionalities K-12 (15 hrs field work)

EDU 9714Evidence Based Approaches to Teaching Literacy to Individuals with Exceptionalities PreK – 12. (20 hrs field work)

EDU 9719Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and Positive Behavior Supports K-12 (15 hrs field work)

EDU 9721Educational Assessment of Individuals with Exceptionalities PreK-12 (20 hrs field work)

EDU 9746Curriculum and Instructional Design for Individuals with Exceptionalities: Math, Science, Social Studies PreK-12 (15 hrs field work)

EDU 9745Practicum in Special Education PreK-12 (150 hrs)

Our school’s mission of “Preparing teachers, counselors, and administrators as transformational leaders who honor the dignity of all people” guides our programs and informs our practice each day. This can be seen in the multiple opportunities we offer for engagement in professional activities, academic service learning, and global education consistent with the University’s Catholic and Vincentian mission.

In addition to many online learning opportunities that allow for current and effective use of online resources for research and practice in special education, and preparation for careers in an increasingly global and digital world, our students complete 150 hours of supervised special education practicum in various settings including self-contained, inclusive, and mainstreamed classrooms. Students are exposed to instructors, current researchers, and leaders in the field of special education who have many years of experience and expertise working directly with children in diverse, multicultural, and high-needs urban and suburban school settings. Our students engage in several professional and networking events throughout their program, developing competencies to effectively communicate and interact with stakeholders in collaborative and inclusive ways.

Our graduates are successful and highly proficient teachers trained to meet the highest professional standards in special education set by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). We are excited to welcome you to join this cadre of effective teachers and global citizens effecting change in the lives of children and youth through education and service.

  • Special Education Teacher, Gr 1-6, PreK-12

  • General Education Teacher, Gr 1-6

  • Inclusive Education Teacher, Gr PreK-12

  • Resource Room Teacher

  • Coordinator

  • Advocate

  • Consultant

  • Professional Development

  • Special Education Itinerant Teacher

We succeed in graduating excellent teachers, who are caring and sensitive individuals. Our graduates are always sought after by both public and private schools, including a host of Catholic programs. Our graduates attest to their academic preparation and growth as professionals in the field of special education and inclusive collaborative services

“I felt very confident going into my first year of teaching and practicum this year after completing many of my courses” (Early Childhood Special Education Teacher)

“The special education courses provided me with a different lens and particularly allowed the facilitation and continuity of being mindful of each student’s particular needs and style of learning.” (Early Childhood Special Education Teacher)

“St. John’s really prepared me to grow as an educator and it prepared me to go out to schools and maintain a close connection with the teachers” (Childhood Special Education Teacher)

Our Faculty

  • Faculty with extensive experience as school and community-based professionals are actively engaged in school-based research and service activities
  • Faculty regularly present at local, national, and international special education conferences
  • Faculty have published in highly regarded peer-reviewed education and special education journals including Review of Educational Research, Learning Disability Quarterly, Learning Disability Research & Practice, Behavior Modification, Preventing School Failure, Beyond Behavior, Intervention in School and Clinic, International Review of Research in MR, American Journal of Mental Retardation, Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, International Journal of Inclusive Education, and International Interdisciplinary Journal of Education

Associate Professor and Program Coordinator

Dr. Khemka received her Ph.D. with distinction from Columbia University in the area of Intellectual Disability and Autism in 1997.  She has been involved in teacher preparation programs for many years now and has taught previously at Teachers College, Columbia University and Long Island University, C.W. Post, NY.  She has directed several intervention-based research and evaluation projects and has extensive experience in bilingual evaluation and arts based programming for students with special needs. Dr. Khemka is well known for her work in the area of interpersonal decision-making and prevention of peer-victimization and abuse in adults and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism.  She is the lead author of 2 evidence based instructional programs (ESCAPE and PEER-DM) designed to provide effective, strategy-based decision making training for the reduction of risk and abuse.  Her new research focuses on studying the impact of cyber bullying in school-aged children with special needs and in designing targeted, disability-specific interventions. 

Research Interests: Among adolescents and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (including autism) : decision-making, prevention of peer victimization, abuse prevention, development of evidence based curricula

Sullivan Hall, Room 410
(718) 990-2631
[email protected]

 

Assistant Professor

Dr. Mello received her Ph.D. in Special Education from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Mello combines her research with effective practical work in the field. Before coming to St. John’s she taught young adults with intellectual disabilities for six years in a college program for students with intellectual disabilities. She also served as the coordinator for a special education advocacy training program for parents of children with disabilities. Her research explores the area of transition to adulthood of adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities and autism. More specially, she examines the acquisition of independent living skills and access to postsecondary education and housing. She conducts research on service provision and family advocacy in underserved communities. Dr. Mello is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Research Interests: Among young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (including autism):  transition to adulthood, postsecondary education programs, access to affordable housing and supported living, acquisition of independent living skills with assistive technology, service provision in underserved communities

Sullivan Hall, Room 412
718-990-7686
[email protected]

 

 

Program Contact

Ishita Khemka

Professor

718-990-2631

Sullivan Hall Queens Room 412

Federal Regulations require all higher education institutions offering an academic program designed to meet the educational requirements for a professional license or certification or advertised as such, to provide potential students with information about whether completion of that program would meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the state of the student’s location upon enrollment.

This program prepares students for licensure/certification in New York State. Students who plan to work in a state other than NY, must visit our Professional Licensure Disclosure Information page where we have indicated if this program meets or does not meet the educational requirements for specific states.

Interested in Education, but not sure if Teaching Students with Disabilities (PreK-12), Master of Science in Education is right for you?