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Inclusive Elementary and Special Education (Grades 1-6), B.S.

The B.S. program in Inclusive Elementary and Special Education helps graduates make a difference in the lives of children through a strong inclusive education and content area foundation, making them engaging educators and advocates for their students.

This program provides the tools to assess student and understand needs, develop instruction that incorporates multiple learning styles, understand multicultural perspectives, and ultimately help all children succeed. This program meets the academic requirements for dual New York State initial teacher certification in Childhood Education (grades 1-6) and Students with Disabilities (grades 1-6).

The Inclusive program is the reason I feel confident to take on teaching immediately after graduation. It has given me the tools that I need to create a classroom environment where everyone is included, safe, and successful. I can’t imagine the teacher I would be without this program. – Kathryn Mayer ‘17

Why Inclusive Education at Syracuse?

  • 98% of School of Education graduates are employed or in graduate school within 6 months, and inclusive elementary students have a 98% pass rate on the New York State edTPA examination.
  • We define inclusion broadly, developing teachers ready to work with the full range of learners in schools, including students with disabilities, students who are not native English speakers, LGBTQ youth, and students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. We believe that all students have the right to a meaningful education in a typical classroom setting, rather than relegating some students to special classrooms or spaces.
  • Participate in EDU Sims, which are standardized simulations of common interactions in classroom and school environments to help you identify your strengths and develop your professional skills.
  • Students are prepared to teach in K-6 and K-8 school settings, providing both general education and specific content knowledge instruction for all students.
  • At least 8 field placements starting in your first semester, in a diverse range of settings including urban and suburban schools in kindergarten and elementary school classrooms and other settings. This is capped by 2 full-time student teaching in the spring of your senior year.
  • Engage in rigorous professional preparation courses with a student cohort that progresses through the program together, providing opportunities to create lifelong colleagues.
  • An emphasis on communication and collaboration in the Professional Block system. Students complete coursework and field experiences during Professional Block semesters with their cohorts, sharing theories and strategies they put into practice. Faculty also model this by coordinate assignments co-teaching block courses, and assessing student progress together.
  • The Bridge to the City Program, which provides you with the unique opportunity to complete student teaching experiences in New York City schools. Sharpen your skills and broaden your perspectives on cultures, families, and professional practices—and make connections with alumni and potential employers in the NYC area.
  • Take part in School of Education short-term study abroad trips or semester-long programs around the world. School of Education students are also eligible for exclusive funding to support study abroad experiences.
  • Continue your graduate studies at the School of Education with our SOE 50% Master’s and Certificate of Advanced Study Scholarships.

You will receive advising support, career services, and one-on-one mentoring from the School of Education and Inclusive Education faculty. You’ll be a part of a close-knit and supportive learning community within a large research university, developing your professional portfolio and identity with faculty who are leaders and experts in their fields.

Our graduates are in K-12 schools and other youth contexts including:

Program Details

As a student in the Inclusive Elementary and Special Education program, you will combine studies in inclusion and special education, a liberal arts concentration, and academic requirements from the liberal arts core. Student choose from four liberal arts concentrations, and focus on one subject or a group of specific subjects, chosen in close collaboration with your advisor:

  • Human Thought and Expression: including humanities areas like literature, history, philosophy, religion, gender and ethnic studies, history, and the arts.
  • People, Places and Societies: including social sciences areas like anthropology, sociology, gender and ethnic studies, international relations, economics, geography, history, and political science.
  • Mathematics: including a variety of elementary mathematics techniques and methods.
  • Natural Sciences: including problem solving, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics.

Highly motivated students can plan their concentration coursework to also get a minor in that liberal arts area. Coursework in the School of Education explores language acquisition and literacy development, contemporary issues in education, and teaching methods and differentiation. Sample courses in your program may include:

  • Communication in the Classroom
  • Teaching Strategies for Inclusive Education
  • Art/Music in the Classroom
  • Literacy Methods and Curriculum
  • Perspectives on Disability
  • Integrating Technology Into Instruction

Your first semester will include inclusive schooling, mathematics, science, writing, and liberal arts courses, as well as a field practicum experience. More information on academic requirements available in the Syracuse University Course Catalog.

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