Each program prepares candidates to work with children or youths whose disabilities range from mild to severe. Upon completion of their program, graduates are eligible for initial/professional or permanent New York State Certification in Special Education within their age/grade level.

All programs are part-time and take 3 years to complete. Candidates are required to take internship courses during the summer. They must also follow a prescribed course of study.

Applicants for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will have to meet additional requirements to qualify for the BCBA examination and will be required to (a) declare their intention to complete the BCBA course sequence within their first semester of matriculation, (b) complete an additional 3-credit course (ECPSE 750. Advanced Workshop in Applied Behavior Analysis), bringing the total credits to 39 credits, and (c) complete their internship in severe disabilities (ECPSE 725) in a site in which they can be supervised by a licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst.