Academics
Graduate Programs
Graduate Programs
Special Education: Adolescence Program, M.S.Ed.
About the Program
The special education programs lead to a master of science in education degree and eligibility for New York State certification in special education. These graduate programs are designed for students with undergraduate majors in education or special education.
The Exceptional Education Department offers three specialty programs in special education: early childhood, childhood, and adolescence. Applicants are required to have certification in general education at either the early childhood, childhood, or secondary level prior to entry to the program. Students who are not provisionally/initially certified in special education must complete 15-18 credit hours of preliminary coursework in addition to the program area requirements. Required preliminary courses are listed below.
Advisement
Because of the variety of options available in the department, it is imperative that majors and premajors seek advisement as early as possible. Students should contact their assigned academic advisers. Programs of study are designed by the student with his or her adviser according to the student’s goals and background. All accepted students are strongly encouraged to attend the Graduate Student Orientation held each summer, fall, and spring. The orientation program provides important information for graduate students enrolled at the college and in the department.
Practicum
Practicum assignments link theoretical coursework with the applied demands of a wide variety of internship settings. Practicum sites are available to meet the needs and interests of nearly all students and are selected by the program coordinator.
Certification
The Special Education: Adolescent program is designed for individuals who are certified in secondary education education (mathematics, English, science, social studies, or a foreign language). Students in this program must fulfill course and degree requirements for New York State certification in special education.
Special Education: Adolescence Program (6342)
This program prepares teachers to work with students with mild disabilities at the secondary level. It is intended to develop multifaceted teachers who possess a number of key competencies. Secondary special educators are prepared to work collaboratively with general education subject matter specialists, as well as transition programming for students with disabilities. Graduates of this program become knowledgeable in subject matter content, as well as career and vocational education. They also acquire a solid base in the technology of teaching with knowledge related to direct and interactive instruction (cooperative learning and peer tutoring).
The adolescence program recognizes the unique needs of adolescents with learning problems. Many students who continue to experience learning difficulties at the secondary level (due to the lack of appropriate instruction or services) may become frustrated and drop out of school. Others who continue in the educational system until they reach age 21 and are no longer eligible to receive services are unprepared to enter the community as independent, participating members of the workforce or community.
A major goal of this program is to prepare teachers to address students’ skill deficits, social adaptation problems, and vocational competence.
About the Exceptional Education Department
204 Ketchum Hall
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-5317
Fax: (716) 878-5410
www.buffalostate.edu/exceptionaleducation/
Contact Faculty and Staff in the Exceptional Education Department
Admission Requirements
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale). Admission is competitive; not all qualified applicants are admitted.
2. Certification in adolescence/secondary education. Applicants also must meet additional special education certification requirements once enrolled.
3. Employment or other experience relevant to the graduate course of study.
4. A written statement describing the applicant’s philosophy of education and relevant experiences in the field. This statement must adhere to standard written English.
5. Faculty review.
6. Completion of a special application (available from the department or on the Supplemental application forms section of the Graduate School Web site).
Successful completion of the undergraduate program in exceptional education at Buffalo State is not a guarantee of admission to a graduate program. A point system based on the above criteria is used to evaluate applicants.
Applicants with the highest point totals are admitted to the program each admission period. Only students admitted to the major (as majors or premajors) may take courses other than EXE 500.
Premajor Status
Students may not apply for premajor status. They apply to the graduate program, and the department decides based on GPA and prior experience if they are accepted to the program as majors or premajors. Premajors may enroll, by advisement, in two EXE courses at the 500-level (e.g., EXE 500, EXE 501) only. Premajors may not register for courses identified as "majors only" during the preregistration period. Student teaching and other fieldwork experiences are closed to premajors. There is no waiting list for admission to the Exceptional Education Department.
Premajors apply for admission as majors by submitting a change of major form to the Graduate Studies and Research Office during or after the completion of two EXE courses. Premajors are not guaranteed admission to the program.
In addition, all applicants should review the "Admission to a Graduate Program" section in the graduate catalog.
Program Requirements
Preliminary Courses (18 credits)
Required for students without provisional/initial certification in special education
EXE 500 Individuals with Special Needs
EXE 501 Educational Assessment Techniques for Special Education
EXE 502 Contingency Management
EXE 503 Instructional Strategies (Foundations)
EXE 504 Graduate Practicum in Special Education (6)
Required Courses (30-33 credits)
EXE 520/620 Curriculum (I or II) for Students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities
EXE 627 Transition from School to Adult Community Life
EXE 628 Consultation and Collaboration
EXE 631 Adapting Language Arts and Reading Instruction or CTE 605 Vocational Guidance for Career Exploration
EXE 632 Direct Instruction Intervention Models for Students with Special Needs
EXE 633 Adapting Content Area Instruction or EXE 518 Individuals with Physical Disabilities
EXE 634 Applied Behavior Analysis
EXE 682 Instructional Field Experience in Special Education
EXE 684 Graduate Seminar in Exceptional Education
Master’s Project or Master’s Thesis (3-6 credits)
Select one option:
EXE 690 Master’s Project
EXE 695 Master’s Thesis (6)
Total Required Credit Hours: 30-48 credits
All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise indicated.
