Special Education

Women

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Education and Special Education Track

Partner University

University of Mount Saint Vincent logo

Program Overview

The 11-month Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Education and Special Education Track is the ideal undergraduate pathway for pursuing a graduate degree and career in Education and Special Education. By incorporating 39 seminary credits, this degree can be completed in just one year and the student will be well prepared to apply for a graduate program in education and special education. 

Through the disciplines of psychology and education, the student gains a deep understanding of individuals and society, as well as proficiency in employing research methods and applying evidence. This degree also incorporates two graduate-level Education courses which can be applied toward Sara Schenirer’s Master’s in Education and Special Education. By beginning their education and special education journey at the undergraduate level, students enjoy access to outstanding professors in the field as well as significant savings of time and expense.

This degree is offered through The University of Mount St. Vincent (UMSV).


Please note: NJ residents are encouraged to join the BA in Education and Special Education offered through St. Peter’s University (SPU) as the financial aid, scholarship, and teaching certification options are significantly expanded for NJ residents in the SPU program.

Videos

Admission Requirements

High School Transcript
Personal Statement
Two References
Personal Photograph
Non-refundable Application Fee

Course Listing

The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the current academic year.

Course Name

Course Number

Credits

Core Courses

Abnormal Psychology

PSYC 355

3

Capstone

PSYC 450

3

Cognitive Psychology

PSYC 424

3

Counseling

PSYC 327

3

English I

ENGL 110

3

English II

ENGL 120

3

Psychological Statistics

PSYC 205

3

Psychology II

PSYC 104

3

Psychology of Childhood

PSYC 345

3

Research

PSYC 315

3

Social Psychology

PSYC 321

3

Track Specific Courses

Intro to Special Education

EDUC 340

3

Psychology of Teaching and Learning

EDUC 513

3

Special Topics - Parenting and the Special Needs Child

PSYC 330

3

Topics in Educational Theory and Practice

EDUC 270 Ed

3

Course Name

Course Number

Credits

Core Courses

Abnormal Psychology

PSYC 355

3

Capstone

PSYC 450

3

Cognitive Psychology

PSYC 424

3

Counseling

PSYC 327

3

English I

ENGL 110

3

English II

ENGL 120

3

Psychological Statistics

PSYC 205

3

Psychology II

PSYC 104

3

Psychology of Childhood

PSYC 345

3

Research

PSYC 315

3

Social Psychology

PSYC 321

3

Track Specific Courses

Intro to Special Education

EDUC 340

3

Psychology of Teaching and Learning

EDUC 513

3

Special Topics - Parenting and the Special Needs Child

PSYC 330

3

Topics in Educational Theory and Practice

EDUC 270 Ed

3

Faculty & Instructors

Akiva Gornish, PsyD at Sara Schenirer Institute

Akiva Gornish

PsyD

Akiva Gornish, Psy.D., is a doctoral-level clinician and educator trained in clinical psychology. Gornish earned his Psy.D. from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. His scholarly work includes book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles, and conference presentations on psychotherapy process, interpersonal functioning, and clinical training. He also provides psychotherapy in private practice, with a focus on couples work and mood-related concerns.

Read Full Bio

Aliza Markman, MSW at Sara Schenirer Institute

Aliza Markman

MSW

Aliza Markman, M.S.W., is a social worker with experience serving individuals with mental-health disorders and special needs. For the past six years, Markman has worked as an elementary-school social worker, providing individual guidance and social-skills instruction. She also coordinates extracurricular programming at BINA High School.

Read Full Bio

Aliza Markman, MSW at Sara Schenirer Institute

Aliza Markman

MSW

Aliza Markman, M.S.W., is a social worker with experience serving individuals with mental-health disorders and special needs. For the past six years, Markman has worked as an elementary-school social worker, providing individual guidance and social-skills instruction. She also coordinates extracurricular programming at BINA High School.

Read Full Bio

Amy Siegel, MA at Sara Schenirer Institute

Amy Siegel

MA

Amy Siegel earned her B.A. and M.A. from New York University and has worked across the education, government, and nonprofit sectors, including roles connected with the U.S. Department of State and the Government of Japan. Siegel is also an accomplished food writer and recipe developer. She won the 2009 Simply Manischewitz Cook-Off, has contributed recipes to Jamie Geller, and continued to receive recognition for original kosher recipes, including a 2025 Matzah Madness competition win. She teaches Writing in Context at Sara Schenirer.

Read Full Bio

Ariella Flegmann, MA at Sara Schenirer Institute

Ariella Flegmann

MA

Ariella Flegmann, M.A., is an English educator and academic leader with more than twelve years of high-school teaching experience and nearly a decade of experience as a college adjunct professor. She serves as English Department Chair at Torah Academy for Girls and as the supervising instructor for Sara Schenirer’s English faculty, where she develops curricula and syllabi, mentors instructors, and provides guidance on teaching and academic standards. Flegmann has taught English at three high schools and has taught both Composition I and Composition II at the college level in online and in-person formats. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English, with a minor in education, from Touro University and her master’s degree in English from Morehead State University.

Read Full Bio

Ariella Flegmann, MA at Sara Schenirer Institute

Ariella Flegmann

MA

Ariella Flegmann, M.A., is an English educator and academic leader with more than twelve years of high-school teaching experience and nearly a decade of experience as a college adjunct professor. She serves as English Department Chair at Torah Academy for Girls and as the supervising instructor for Sara Schenirer’s English faculty, where she develops curricula and syllabi, mentors instructors, and provides guidance on teaching and academic standards. Flegmann has taught English at three high schools and has taught both Composition I and Composition II at the college level in online and in-person formats. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English, with a minor in education, from Touro University and her master’s degree in English from Morehead State University.

Read Full Bio

Brenda J. Siev, MA at Sara Schenirer Institute

Brenda J. Siev

MA

Brenda J. Siev is an experienced educator and school leader currently serving as Assistant Principal of General Studies and Director of College Guidance at Kosloff Torah Academy High School for Girls in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, where she also teaches senior English. She began her career teaching English across multiple levels, advising student publications, and leading marketing efforts before moving into academic leadership roles, including Director of General Studies at Bais Yaakov of Boston and mentoring new teachers at NSU University High School in Florida.

Read Full Bio

Chana M. Blau, MSEd at Sara Schenirer Institute

Chana M. Blau

MSEd

Chana M. Blau, M.S.Ed., is an educator and behavioral consultant with more than 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She has supported clients in the United States, England, South Africa, and Israel through behavioral interventions, life-skills development, self-awareness, relationship building, and dating guidance. Blau also consults with divorced parents on strengthening parent-child relationships and addressing behavioral concerns. Her experience spans early childhood through middle school, as well as university-level teaching. She earned her M.S.Ed. from Arizona State University.

Read Full Bio

Tuition & Financial Aid

he full cost of the degree is $19,500, but can vary slightly in either direction depending on the student. This covers the cost of college courses ($18,000) and expected required exams (approximately $1,500). Students who are eligible for financial aid (FAFSA) may receive scholarships to cover the full cost of the college courses. Your exact tuition amount will depend on your transfer credits and financial aid eligibility.

**Save approximately $3,400 on your Master’s in Education and Special Education degree by incorporating the master’s-level education courses into your undergraduate degree!

Eligible students may receive financial aid for the portion of their degree completed through UMSV. All students are strongly encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), even if they believe they may not qualify for aid. 

The FAFSA can be completed online at this link (UMSV’s FAFSA school code is 002703). Be sure to complete the correct year’s application.

For New York State residents only:

The TAP application is available approximately one week after the FAFSA is submitted at this link. UMSV’s TAP code is 0130.

Please note: The listed tuition costs are accurate as of the time of writing, but are not guaranteed. Please ask our advisor for updated pricing.

FAQs

What is the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Education Track?

The 11-month Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Education Track is the ideal undergraduate pathway for pursuing a graduate degree and career in education and special education. By incorporating 39 seminary credits, this degree can be completed in just one year and the student will be well prepared to apply for a graduate program in education and special education.

Through the disciplines of psychology and education, the student gains a deep understanding of individuals and society, as well as proficiency in employing research methods and applying evidence. This degree also incorporates two graduate-level education courses which can be applied toward Sara Schenirer’s Master’s in Education and Special Education. By beginning their education and special education journey at the undergraduate level, students enjoy access to outstanding professors in the field as well as significant savings of time and expense.

Which university have you partnered with to offer this degree?

We are proud to have partnered with The University of Mount Saint Vincent (UMSV), a highly ranked university in NYS featuring an outstanding undergraduate Psychology department. Among the five oldest universities in New York City, UMSV offers more than 70 nationally recognized programs, including a full array of majors and minors in the sciences and mathematics, the humanities, arts, and social sciences, and professional preparation in accounting, business, communication, education, and nursing.

Will this degree be accepted by other universities?

UMSV is regionally accredited, which means that its degrees are accepted by graduate programs nationwide. Students have used the bachelor’s degree earned at UMSV for admittance into master’s programs in a wide variety of colleges. For specific information about UMSV’s accreditation, please see here.

How long will it take to earn my degree?

This degree can be completed in as few as three semesters (11 months).

What advantages does this specialized Education track offer over the standard BA in Psychology?

• Two graduate-level education courses are incorporated into the BA in Psychology, reducing the course requirement at the graduate level

• The cost of tuition for the Master’s in Education and Special Education is reduced by transferring the two graduate courses into the graduate program

Additionally, during the course of the program, students in the Education track will enjoy specialized workshops led by professionals in the education field who will introduce them to the field and offer helpful guidance and tips for aspiring educators.

Does this degree program limit me at the graduate level to Education & Special Education, or can it be used to apply for graduate programs in other fields?

The degree, a BA in Psychology, is extremely versatile and can be used to apply for a wide range of graduate degrees. By incorporating the two graduate-level courses into the undergraduate program, students are better prepared to apply for the Master’s in Education and Special Education program upon graduation, but are not limited to that program. Students have successfully used this degree to gain entry into graduate programs in Applied Behavior Analysis, Social Work, Law, Business Administration, Play Therapy, Mental Health Counseling, and more.

If I’m unsure whether I’m interested in Education & Special Education, is this the program for me?

Assuming you don’t have a clear preference for another field, this is an ideal program to help a student determine her ideal graduate pathway and whether education & special education is right for her. Throughout the course of the program, students are exposed to professionals in the field of education & special education and have the opportunity to observe and speak with them and learn more about the profession. This enables students to make a clear-headed decision when the time comes for application to graduate school.

Which credits can be applied towards the B.A. degree?

The Office of the Registrar at UMSV grants transfer credits to students who have completed courses at accredited institutions and have provided their official transcripts for evaluation. The Registrar evaluates and accepts only credits that apply to the student’s program of study and reflect a final grade of ‘C’ or above. Accepted credits are applied to the student’s record, reflected on their academic planner, but not calculated into their college GPA. A transfer credit planner will also be shared with the student’s advisor to assist with schedule creation and developing a graduation plan.

When and where are classes offered?

Classes may be taken in either of these formats:

• Entirely online

• In-person (Boro Park, Monsey, Crown Heights, or Five Towns)

Whether online or in-person, students typically take two classes on Sunday and one or two additional classes during the week. Exact schedules vary by location.

Can I maintain employment at the undergraduate level while earning this degree?

Although the program is rigorous, the schedule is tailored to allow for students to obtain employment during the course of their undergraduate studies. Students seeking to pursue a career in the field of education are strongly encouraged to seek employment in an educational setting so they can gain firsthand experience and learn about the field in an authentic manner. This will greatly enhance their resume as they apply to graduate programs in the educational field as well.

Helpful Articles

Related Podcast