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Childhood Education/Special Education (Grades 1-6) – BS

Program Overview:

The dual major in Special Education and Childhood Education is a four-year program of study and practice that leads to a Bachelor of Science in Special Education/Childhood Education and prepares students for teaching in special education settings, general education settings, and inclusive settings that serve children with a range of abilities and needs. Upon the successful completion of this program, the achievement of passing grades on examinations required by the New York State Education Department and fingerprint clearance, students are eligible for New York State initial teaching certification in both childhood (Grades 1-6) and childhood special education (Grades 1-6).

Guidelines developed by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Association of Childhood Education International (ACEI), Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) were utilized in the development of this program. The Special Education/Childhood Education program provides pre-service teachers with integrated course content across the disciplines of special education, childhood education, child development, communication disorders, literacy, educational psychology, and instructional technology. The program prepares future educators to meet the academic and social-emotional needs of a diverse student population, collaborate with colleagues, and exhibit leadership in their professional endeavors. The program is delivered by experienced faculty and supervisors who focus on the elements of diversity, instructional planning, differentiation of instruction, reflective practice, technology, research-supported practices, and collaboration. The program requires that students have an academic concentration in the liberal arts or sciences (see below for descriptions of academic concentrations), and complete the College-wide Liberal Education program with specific expanded course work to meet certification requirements. See the catalog description on Liberal Education requirements for additional details. The majority of the major and the academic concentration must be completed at The College of Saint Rose.

Program Contacts:

Dr. Frances Ihle

Co-Chair, Literacy & Special Education Department

Email: ihlef@strose.edu

Program Webpage: Special Education and Childhood Education (Gr 1-6), BS

Program Requirements:

Admission into the College does not ensure good standing in the program in Special Education/Childhood Education, nor does good standing in the Special Education/Childhood Education program ensure admission to student teaching. In order to maintain good standing through all stages of the Special Education/Childhood Education program, students are required to maintain the following academic standards: 2.5 cumulative index, 2.75 index in the education sequence, 2.25 index in the academic concentration and a minimum grade of C+ in each course of the major. Students are allowed to repeat courses in the major only one time. More than two repeated courses by a student will result in the student’s dismissal from the major. Students must apply for student teaching in accordance with program guidelines. This includes satisfactory completion of all major courses with the exception of SEE 485, SEE 486 SEE 495, and completion of most concentration courses. No additional courses beyond SEE 485, SEE 486, and SEE 495 should be taken during the student teaching semester.

Major Courses Sequence:

Year 1

SEE 100

SEE 106

SED 146

Year 2

EPY 244

EPY 350 or EPY 370

SEE 245

Year 3

CSD 235

EDU 300

SED 347

SEE 249

SEE 360

Year 4

SEE 380

SEE 385

SEE 386

SEE 485

SEE 486

SEE 495

Major in Special Education/Childhood Education Grades 1-6 (57-58 credits)

CSD 235Language Devel/Disord Literacy

3

EDU 300Foundations of Education

3

EPY 244Child & Adolescent Development

4

EPY 350Educational Psychology

3

or

EPY 370Ed Psych/Instruct Tech

4

SED 146Ind w/Except in Schl & Comm

4

SED 347Curr/Instrt Signific Disabilit

4

SEE 100Intro to the Profession

0

SEE 106Intro to Portfolio

0

SEE 245Curriculum & Instruction

4

SEE 249Prin & Proc Eff Behav Mgmt

4

SEE 360Literacy & Lit Young Children

4

SEE 380Literacy/Literature Intrm Grds

4

SEE 385Incl El Tchg:LangArts/Soc Stud

4

SEE 386Incl El Tchg:Math/Sci Tech

4

EDU 102Violence Prevention

0

EDU 103Child Abuse Prevention

0

EDU 111Dignity for All Students

0

EPY 337Subst Abuse Wksp

0

SEE 485Stud Tch Sem:Child Ed/Spec Ed

2

SEE 486Portfolio: Spec Ed/Chldhd Ed

1

SEE 495SpecEd/Child Ed Student Tchg

9

Students who do not take CSC 104 Educational Computing must take EPY 370.

SEE 360: is approved as fulfilling the writing-intensive requirement.

SEE 360: Students who transfer in a course that is equivalent to SEE 360 for 3 credits must also take SEE 362 for 1 credit.

Academic Concentrations for Special Education/Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) Majors

All Special Education/Childhood Education candidates must fulfill the College’s Liberal Education requirements and must take additional liberal arts course work in an academic concentration to comply with New York State teacher certification regulations. The purpose of the academic concentration in a liberal arts or sciences discipline or an interdisciplinary field is to provide a focused depth and breadth of preparation and study, beyond the broad general education requirement, that will enable the Special Education/Childhood Education major to develop a degree of expertise in a chosen discipline or interdisciplinary field.

Special Education/Childhood Education majors are required to complete an academic concentration of 30-33 credits in one of the following disciplines: Biology, Computing and Logic, English, French/Spanish, General Science, Mathematics, Social Studies or Spanish. The requirements of the academic concentrations are listed below. Note: While students must complete the total credits necessary for graduation, 2 courses in a 30-credit concentration and 3 courses in a 33-credit concentration may be shared between the Liberal Education requirements and the academic concentration.

Biology Concentration (30 credits)

BIO 190Principles of Biology 1

3

BIO 190LPrinciples of Biology 1 Lab

1

BIO 191Principles of Biology 2

3

BIO 191LPrinciples of Biology 2 Lab

1

BIO 210Anatomy and Physiology

3

BIO 210LAnatomy and Physiology Lab

1

or

BIO 350General Microbiology

3

BIO 350LGeneral Microbiology Lab

1

Two Biology Laboratory courses at the 200-level or higher

8

CHM 190Gen Chemistry 1

3

CHM 190LGen Chemistry 1 Lab

1

CHM 191Gen Chemistry 2

3

CHM 191LGen Chemistry 2 Lab

1

SCI 350Science in Modern Society

2

Computing and Logic Concentration (33-35 credits)

Studying fundamental computer science lays the groundwork for a career of applied computational thinking applicable to any field. Computer science emphasizes algebra and mathematical reasoning, hence strengthening the overall preparation of a future teacher. A concentration in Computing and Logic goes far beyond providing knowledge of a computer-based toolset to use in the classroom. Students in this concentration will become better equipped in conceptualization, problem-solving and abstract thinking. This concentration supports the STEM coalition efforts to improve the way our students learn science, mathematics, technology and engineering.

CSC 202 and CSC 252 may each be taken only twice without faculty permission.

Computer Science Courses (20-22 Credits)

Required Courses:
CSC 104Education Computing

3

CSC 130Intergrat Program in Classroom

3

CSC 202Intro to Programming

4

CSC 252Problem Solving w/JAVA

4

Choose two of the following courses:
CSC 302Data Structures

4

CSC 321Database Mgmt Systems

4

CSC 344Computer Networks

3

CSC 355Internet Program 1

3

Mathematics Courses (13 Credits)

Required Courses:
MAT 130Intro to Math Thought

3

MAT 184Elementary Statistics

4

Additional Courses:
MAT 180College Algebra

3

or

MAT 185Pre-Calculus Mathematics

3

MAT 270Finite Mathematics

3

or

MAT 295Discrete Math Structures

3

MAT 180 and MAT 185: Students who transfer in MAT 185 or MAT 190 or who score 36 on the math placement test are not required to take MAT 180 and may substitute the higher-level MAT course with advisor approval. In these cases, the higher level MAT course satisfies the MAT 180 pre-requisite for the MAT 270 or MAT 295 course requirement.

English Language Arts Concentration (33 credits)

English Language Arts concentrators may not transfer in courses to fulfill their ELA requirements after they have matriculated at the College of Saint Rose.

Required Courses:

ENG 105Expos Wrtg, Oral Com, Resrch

4

ENG 114Intro Literary Genres/Traditns

4

One 200-level early literature course:

ENG 223Early Amer Literature

4

ENG 226Women & Wrtg (Early Periods)

4

ENG 230Early British Literature

4

ENG 244Early World Literature

4

ENG 260Earlier Shakespeare

4

ENG 261Later Shakespeare

4

ENG 27119th C. U.S. Literature

4

ENG 280History of Drama

4

*ENG 271 depending on topic

One 200-level later literature course:

ENG 216African American Literature

4

ENG 217Crime Fiction

4

ENG 22120th C. Amer Literature

4

ENG 222American Drama

4

ENG 227Women & Wrtg (Later Periods)

4

ENG 228Contemporary Fiction

4

ENG 229Contemporary Amer Poetry

4

ENG 231Post-1800 British Liter

4

ENG 232Contemp British Literature

4

ENG 235Latinx Literature

4

ENG 236Postcolonial Literatures

4

ENG 237Asian American Literature

4

ENG 238Native American Literature

4

ENG 239Irish Literature

4

ENG 245Literary Movements

4

ENG 270Modern World Drama

4

ENG 27119th C. U.S. Literature

4

ENG 279Film:Theory & Practice

4

*ENG 271 depending on topic

One diverse literature course:

ENG 126Diverse Voices in Literature

4

ENG 216African American Literature

4

ENG 226Women & Wrtg (Early Periods)

4

ENG 227Women & Wrtg (Later Periods)

4

ENG 235Latinx Literature

4

ENG 236Postcolonial Literatures

4

ENG 237Asian American Literature

4

ENG 238Native American Literature

4

ENG 239Irish Literature

4

ENG 336Studies in African Amer Lit

4

ENG 371Studies in Women's Literature

4

ENG 372Studies in Diverse Literatures

4

Writing/Language course(s) - 4 credits:

ENG 201Language and Linguistics

4

ENG 206Creative Writing

4

ENG 246Imaginative Wrtg:Pract/Pedag

2

and

ENG 247Nonfic Wrtg Wrkshp:Pract/Pedag

2

ENG 251Nonfiction Writing

4

ENG 252Writing for Digital Media

4

ENG 253Intro to Digital Publishing

4

ENG 254Online Lit Jrnl Edit & Pub

4

COM 221Journalism I

4

One communication course:

COM 206Conflict Management

3

COM 240Interpersonal Communication

3

COM 241Gender and Communication

3

COM 242Communication and Culture

3

ENG 115Intro to New Media

4

ENG 279Film:Theory & Practice

4

One performance arts course:

ENG 180Theatre Arts

4

ENG 218Oral Interpret of Literature

4

ENG 219Poetry in Performance

4

ENG 285Acting: Studio Study

4

ENG 286Acting: Styles and Techniques

4

ENG 287Improvisational Acting

4

Two credits in teaching topics courses OR one additional literature course from those listed above (2 or 4 credits):

ENG 246Imaginative Wrtg:Pract/Pedag

2

ENG 247Nonfic Wrtg Wrkshp:Pract/Pedag

2

ENG 272Literature Topics/Tchrs

2

ENG 273Language Topics/Tchrs

2

ENG 274Performance Topics

2

ENG 275Comp & Rhetoric/Tchers

2

ENG 276Film/Media Topics/Tchrs

2

ENG 292Literature Short Crse/Tchrs

1

ENG 295Writing Short Crse/Tchrs

1

ENG 296Film/Media Short Course

1

French/Spanish Concentration (30 credits)

The French/Spanish concentration is not currently available. Please contact the chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures for more information.

FRE 204Discovery and Culture

3

FRE 216French Conversation

3

FRE 300French Written Expression

3

FRE 301Reading for Comprehension

3

FRE 309Contmp Fren Cult thru Films

3

SPA 101Identity and Culture

3

SPA 102Culture in Action

3

SPA 203Memory and Culture

3

SPA 204Discovery and Culture

3

SPA 309Hispanic Culture in US

3

*The French/Spanish concentration may require French courses taken off-campus or through study abroad.

General Science Concentration (30 credits)

BIO 190Principles of Biology 1

3

BIO 190LPrinciples of Biology 1 Lab

1

BIO 191Principles of Biology 2

3

BIO 191LPrinciples of Biology 2 Lab

1

CHM 190Gen Chemistry 1

3

CHM 190LGen Chemistry 1 Lab

1

CHM 191Gen Chemistry 2

3

CHM 191LGen Chemistry 2 Lab

1

ESC 190Introductory Geology

4

PHY 190Fundamentals of Physics 1

3

PHY 190LFundamentals of Physics 1 Lab

1

One laboratory science course at the 200-level or higher

4

SCI 350Science in Modern Society

2

Mathematics Concentration (30-32 credits)

Required Courses:

MAT 180College Algebra

3

MAT 184Elementary Statistics

4

MAT 185Pre-Calculus Mathematics

3

MAT 190Calculus 1

4

MAT 191Calculus 2

4

Choose one course from the following:

MAT 130Intro to Math Thought

3

MAT 140Excursions in Modern Math

3

MAT 145Math Themes for Liberal Arts

3

MAT 150Mathmatical Perspectives

3

MAT 160Ideas in Modern Mathematics

3

Depth of Study (9-11 credits)

Choose two courses from the following:
MAT 200Mathematical Inquiry

3

MAT 201Calculus 3

4

MAT 220Foundations of Mathematics

3

MAT 240Linear Algebra

3

MAT 270Finite Mathematics

3

MAT 320Number Theory

3

MAT 370Math through History

3

MAT 410Geometries

3

MAT 480Topics in Mathematics

1 to 4

Choose one from the following:
CSC 112Fundamentals of Comp Science

3

CSC 130Intergrat Program in Classroom

3

CSC 202Intro to Programming

4

Social Studies Concentration (32 credits)

Social Studies concentrators may not transfer in core courses after they have matriculated at The College of St. Rose; six out of eight of the content courses in the concentration must be completed at Saint Rose. 

Core Courses:

POS 112Critical Analysis US Politics

4

HIS 204Social Studies Economics I

4

HIS 206Social Studies Economics II

4

HIS 215New York State, 1600-1945

4

HIS 227US History since 1865

4

HIS 300SocialStudies Geography

4

Students must pass HIS 215 in their first year with a C grade or better. HIS 215 may only be repeated once and serves as a pre-requisite for HIS 204 and HIS 206. 

One POS course from the following:

POS 142Political Ideologies

4

POS 171International Relations

4

POS 173Comparative Politics

4

POS 202Gender Politics

4

POS 215Race&Mass Incarceration in US

4

POS 227Critical Analysis Presidency

4

POS 262Crit Analy Legislat Process

4

Choose one course from a geographic area:

Africa:
HIS 247Intro to Caribbean History

4

HIS 266Modern Africa

4

HIS 268African History bef 1885

4

Asia:
HIS 239Modern E Asia

4

Europe:
HIS 213Fndtns of Europe:Antiq-Mid Age

4

HIS 214Modern Europe

4

HIS 217Mod Britain 1815-present

4

Latin America:
HIS 151Images of Latin Amer in Film

4

HIS 249Latin Amer Colonialism

4

HIS 251Latin American Modernization

4

Spanish Concentration (30 credits)

Required Courses:

SPA 203Memory and Culture

3

SPA 204Discovery and Culture

3

SPA 216Spanish Conversation

3

SPA 300Spanish Written Expression

3

SPA 301Reading for Comprehension

3

SPA 325Advanced Conversation

3

SPA 414Applied Linguistics

3

Three years of high school Spanish, or SPA 101 and SPA 102, are prerequisite to a concentration in Spanish.

If SPA 203, SPA 204, and SPA 216 are waived, the student needs to replace each of them with 3 hours of upper-level elective courses.

SPA 300 was SPA 265 prior to Fall 2020.

One additional course chosen from:

SPA 305Survey Span Lit 1

3

SPA 306Survey Spanish Literature 2

3

SPA 307Surv Spa-Amer Lit

3

Two Spanish 300-400 level elective courses (6 credits)

Internship/Field Experiences/Service:

Students are required to complete a total of 162 hours of field experience prior to student teaching. Field experiences require students to observe, complete course-related assignments, and teach in a variety of settings including but not limited to high-needs/urban schools and inclusive classrooms.

Field experiences ranging from 10 to 21 hours are required for the following courses:

SED 146Ind w/Except in Schl & Comm

4

SEE 245Curriculum & Instruction

4

SEE 249Prin & Proc Eff Behav Mgmt

4

SED 347Curr/Instrt Signific Disabilit

4

SEE 360Literacy & Lit Young Children

4

SEE 380Literacy/Literature Intrm Grds

4

A special feature of the Special Education/Childhood Education program is the integrated methods block of coursework. This includes a 70-hour field experience when students spend two full days per week working in schools. Students enroll in SEE 385 Social Studies and English Language Arts Instruction: Teaching in Inclusive Elementary Settings and SEE 386 Mathematics, Science and Technology: Teaching in Inclusive Elementary Settings the semester prior to student teaching. Student teaching occurs at both the primary (1-3) and the intermediate (4-6) elementary levels with one of the placements in a special education or inclusive education setting and one placement in a general education setting.

Fingerprinting clearance from The New York State Department of Education is required for all field experiences. Fingerprinting information is available on the New York State Department of Education “TEACH” website http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach. Students should note that education courses with field experiences have catalog course descriptions that include a statement on mandatory fingerprinting.

Culminating Academic Experiences:

Required Courses:

SEE 485Stud Tch Sem:Child Ed/Spec Ed

2

SEE 486Portfolio: Spec Ed/Chldhd Ed

1

SEE 495SpecEd/Child Ed Student Tchg

9

Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:

This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 126-132 overall credits.  It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.

Year 1

Fall (15-17 Credits)

Liberal Education course (3 cr)

Liberal Education course (3 cr)

Liberal Education course (3 cr)

Liberal Education course (3 cr)

*Liberal Education/Concentration course (3 cr)

Spring (16-17 Credits)

Liberal Education course (3 cr)

Liberal Education course (3 cr)

Liberal Education course (3 cr)

*Liberal Education/Concentration course (3 cr)

SED 146 (4cr)

Year 2

Fall (17-18 Credits)

Liberal Education (CSC 204-L08) course (3 cr)

*Liberal Education/Concentration course (3 cr)

Concentration course (3 cr)

Liberal Education (EPY 244-L11) course (3 cr)

SED 146 (4 cr)

Spring (16 Credits)

Liberal Education course (3 cr)

*Liberal Education/Concentration course (3 cr)

Concentration course (3 cr)

EPY 350 (3 cr)

SEE 245 (4 cr)

Year 3

Fal (16 Credits)

Liberal Education (Language-L02) course (3 cr)

CSD 235 (3 cr)

EDU 300 (3 cr)

SEE 249 (4 cr)

Concentration course (4 cr)

Spring (17 Credits)

Liberal Education (Language-L02) course (3 cr)

SEE 360 (4 cr)

SED 347 (4 cr)

Concentration course (3 cr)

Concentration course (3 cr)

Year 4

Fall (17 Credits)

SEE 385 (4 cr)

SEE 386 (4 cr)

SEE 380 (4 cr)

Liberal Education (L12) course (2 cr)

Spring (12 Credits)

SEE 485 (2 cr)

SEE 495 (9 cr)

SEE 486 (1 cr)

*SUMMER SESSION:  Liberal Education or Concentration   3-6 credits

*Students completing 33 credit concentrations in English/Language Arts or Social Studies will not need to attend a summer session.  Four courses may be used for both liberal education and concentration requirements resulting in a total credit load of 126 credits for graduation. Students completing 30 credit concentrations in Mathematics or Spanish will need to complete 3 credits during a summer session.  Three courses may be used for both liberal education and concentration requirements resulting in a total credit load of 129 credits for graduation.  Students completing 30 credit concentrations in Biology or General Science will need to complete 6 credits during a summer session.  Two courses may be used for both liberal education and concentration requirements resulting in a total credit load of 132 credits for graduation.

Grades 7-9 Extension (Optional):

Extensions are not required as part of the Special Education/Childhood Education major at Saint Rose. The New York State Education Department offers an extension for grades 7-9 to the initial teaching certificate obtained for Childhood Education (Grades 1-6). An extension will show that the certified childhood education teacher has additional expertise to teach a subject in grades 7-9. Subjects for the 7-9 Extension are: Biology, English, Mathematics, and Social Studies. Childhood Education majors who wish the College to recommend them to the New York State Education Department for an extension must complete an academic concentration of at least 30 credits in the extension area, all requirements for the Special Education/Childhood Education: Grades 1-6 program, all requirements for initial teacher certification in Childhood Education, must obtain fingerprint clearance prior to beginning all field experiences, and the following additional requirements.


Required Courses:

EPY 340Adolescent Deve. Enrichment

2

EDU 440Middle Level Education

3

The New York State Teacher Certification Examination required for a 7-9 extension to teach a subject area.


Professional Accreditation:

The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.

The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org/

Programs offered by The College of Saint Rose for the preparation of all school professionals, leading to initial and advanced certifications, are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.ncate.org/

Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:

In order to be eligible for initial teacher certification in New York State, students must pass required New York State Teacher Certification Examinations and obtain fingerprint clearance. The School of Education offers preparation workshops for these exams. Information about test dates, sample questions, and scoring are available at www.nystce.nesinc.com. The pass rate on New York State Teacher Certification Examinations for students at The College of Saint Rose was 97% for the 2008-2009 academic year. Within five years, teachers with initial certification must apply for professional certification, which is contingent upon earning a relevant master’s degree and obtaining teaching experience that includes mentoring.

Admissions and Financial Aid Information:

The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of First-Year applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete application as early as October. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.

What Makes an Application Complete

  • Online or Paper application (fee waived for all applicants!)
  • Official High School Transcripts
  • Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
  • SAT or ACT scores  (See Test Optional FAQ's)
  • Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
  • Essay or Graded Paper
  • Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
  • Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.
  • Music applicants are required to complete an audition.

Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)

Scholarships and Financial Aid

See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.

The Bottom Line

The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we award more than $34 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.

Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.

More about Financial Aid

Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make your education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.

The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.

Find Out More: