Inclusive Special Education (Professional), M.S.

Expand your reach. Deepen your practice. Teach every Learner.

You are already a dedicated educator. You know your subject. Now you are ready to reach every student, including those with disabilities who need a skilled, certified advocate in their corner.

The M.S. in Inclusive Special Education (Professional) is designed for working teachers who hold initial NYS certification in any content area and want to add Students with Disabilities All Grades certification and earn a master’s degree. All courses are offered online, and field experience components are completed in schools local to you. The 30-credit program can be completed in as little as 12 months, on your schedule.

Priority Application Deadline: March 15 | More admissions information

Why Inclusive Special Education at Syracuse?

• Open to certified teachers in any content area. Whether you teach high school biology, middle school history, or elementary art, you are eligible. If you hold – or will hold before enrollment – an initial NYS teaching certificate in any subject area, this program is designed for you.
• Online courses, local experience. All courses are offered online, giving you the flexibility to complete your degree while continuing to teach. Field experience components are completed in educational settings that serve students with disabilities in schools local to you, so you gain hands-on practice in your own community without disrupting your career.
• A versatile special education credential. Completion of this program meets the academic requirements for professional NYS certification in Students with Disabilities All Grades (K-12), qualifying you to work with students with disabilities across a wide range of educational settings.
• A legacy that defines the field. Syracuse University was the first research university to offer an integrated inclusive special education program and among the first to lead to dual certification in general and special education. Nearly a century of scholarship, advocacy, and teacher preparation informs every course in this program.
• A curriculum built for today’s inclusive classrooms. Coursework spans the full K-12 grade band and addresses literacy intervention, significant disabilities, assistive technologies, augmentative and alternative communication, positive behavior supports, psychoeducational evaluation, and inclusive professional practice. That is everything you need to serve students with disabilities effectively at any level.
• Electives tailored to your professional goals. Depending on your prior coursework, elective options allow you to extend your expertise into cultural foundations of education, disability studies, educational leadership, or instructional design, all available online.

“What sets SOE’s inclusive teacher preparation programs apart is the emphasis on open dialogue, meaningful discussion, and authentic field experiences. Rather than simply learning about education in a classroom, students are immersed in the real work of teaching through placements in multiple school settings throughout the program.”
—Jared Khan-Bagley ’22, G’23

Who Should Apply?

The master’s degree in Inclusive Special Education (Professional) is built for certified teachers who are ready to expand what they can offer students with disabilities and to advance their own careers in the process. You are a strong candidate if you are:

• A certified NYS teacher in any content area – early childhood, childhood, adolescent, or any other initial certificate – who wants to add Students with Disabilities All Grades certification.
• A teacher who is looking for a master’s degree for salary advancement, tenure, or professional development and wants that degree to open new doors in your school or district.
• A mid-career educator responding to the need for more fully certified special education teachers.

Program at a Glance

The M.S. in Inclusive Special Education (Professional) is a 30-credit degree program designed to be completed full-time in 12 months beginning each summer; a part-time option is available for students who need a longer timeline. All courses are offered online.

• Hands-on experience, close to home. In addition to online coursework, students complete two in-person field placements in schools local to them. Students take two placements of 50 hours in each term: one in a K-6 special education setting and one in a grades 7-12 special education setting.
• A credential that opens doors. Completion of this program meets the academic requirements for initial/professional New York State teacher certification in Students with Disabilities All Grades (K-12).
• A portfolio that proves your practice. The program culminates in a peer-reviewed professional teaching and learning portfolio: a tangible, career-ready demonstration of your growth and competence as a special educator.

More information on academic requirements available in the Syracuse University Course Catalog. SOE is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).

What Our Graduates Do

Inclusive and special education teachers are among the most sought-after educators in New York and nationally, and this certification opens doors across a wide range of classroom settings and career pathways.

• Special education teacher in K-12 inclusive, resource room, or self-contained settings
• Consultant teacher or inclusion specialist
• Special education department chair or team leader
• Committee on Special Education (CSE) member or coordinator
• Transition coordinator for students with disabilities
• Educational specialist in district curriculum, professional development, or instructional support
• Graduate students pursuing advanced study in educational leadership, disability studies, or a related field