Candidates who successfully complete this program will have the tools to teach all students in a range of environments and will have the appropriate content expertise to help ensure that all students are meeting the New York state learning standards. The content extension does not permit these individuals to perform as the teacher of record for grades 7-12 secondary education general education subject area classrooms.

Upon successful completion of the program, individuals will be recommended for New York state initial certification, Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist with appropriate content extensions. The program goal is to develop ethical scholar-practitioners who are committed to social justice and dedicated to reflective, participatory and collaborative teaching processes. Literacy, culturally responsive instruction, universal design for learning, technology and research-based practices are integrated throughout all aspects of the program with a focus on teaching students with special needs at the adolescent level. In addition to studies in special education, the program requires individuals to complete an additional 18 s.h. in a specified content area (social studies, math, English, science, language other than English) for the content extension. The program also reflects a clinically-rich teacher preparation approach and requires a variety of field based experiences including 100 clock hours of field experience and a practicum for a minimum of 40 days.