The Master of Science in Early Childhood Education & Special Education degree is the first choice for anyone considering a career in the field of education/special education. This 46-credit degree culminates in a recommendation for NYS Teacher Certification, Birth-Grade 2. Students are eligible for Internship Certification after completing 50% of the program. Graduates can easily extend their certification to Grades 1-6 General Education and All Grades (PreK-Grade 12) Students with Disabilities.
Certified early childhood and childhood special education teachers are in high demand in agencies, elementary schools, care facilities, and other organizations nationwide. The U.S. Department of Education regularly includes special education on its annual state-by-state Teacher Shortage Areas list.
Career opportunities include far more than classroom teaching. The list of career choices includes:
- Special Education Teacher: Inclusion, push-in/pull-out instruction, co-teaching, resource room, self-contained, community or alternative home setting
- P-3 provider
- Behavioral therapist
- Social skills therapist
- Curriculum development in Childhood Special Education
- Reading remediation/Kriyah Specialist
- Special Education assessment and program development (with license)
- Advocate for children with disabilities
- Consultant/Advisor: Children with disabilities
- Special Education Instructional Coach for general education teachers
- Special Education Co-Teacher with general education teachers
- Employment in public/private learning communities, health facilities, and organizations
This degree is offered in partnership with The University of Mount St. Vincent (UMSV).
Partner college(s):
Program Location(s):
- Live Online
FAQ
The University of Mount Saint Vincent’s Master of Science in Education: Early Childhood Education & Special Education, Birth-Grade 2, is an accelerated 46-credit program that culminates in a recommendation for NYS Teacher Certification Birth-Grade 2. Graduates can easily extend their certification to Grades 1-6 General Education and All Grades (PreK-Grade 12) Students with Disabilities. Graduates are certified to teach general and special education across a variety of program settings including home, center-based programs, inclusive schools, private and public-school classes, and programs. Students are eligible for Internship Certification after completing two semesters.
We are proud to have partnered with The University of Mount Saint Vincent (UMSV), a highly ranked university featuring an outstanding Education 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 education.
UMSV prides itself on offering superior education, outstanding student support and a culturally sensitive environment. The university is understanding of the unique requirements and religious sensitivities of the students recruited by The Men’s Division at Sara Schenirer and has worked diligently to accommodate our requests to ensure an environment suitable for Torah-observant Jews.
According to government statistics, special education is one of the fastest-growing education career fields nationwide, and our experience and research confirm that. A recent poll showed that more than 95% of graduates found jobs in the field within one year of graduation. Five years later, more than 70% were still employed in the field. The field is ideal for men who wish to work full or part-time and earn a respectable income.
Ours is the only program offered exclusively to men who aspire to careers in education and was carefully, caringly designed with all their needs in mind. We pride ourselves on the high-quality educational partners with whom we work, who offer accredited degrees, an uncompromised environment, and first-rate faculty. Most of all, we provide exceptional warmth and support to every single student at The Men’s Division at Sara Schenirer. For students and parents alike, the world of college and degrees can be confusing, costly, and difficult to navigate. We work diligently to offer personal guidance to each student and help ensure their success and timely graduation.
Applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher education (e.g. yeshiva, college) with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.3.
Since we have a fully online program, it is possible to finish your degree without any loss of credits. Additionally, for those students who relocate to Eretz Yisroel, our online program has a track that accommodates the time difference. Additionally, since UMSV is an accredited university, credits can be transferred to colleges and universities worldwide.
The cost for this degree is approximately $22,950.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be completed online at this link. UMSV’s FAFSA school code is 002703. Be sure to complete the correct year’s application.
Additionally, there are a number of scholarships open to Jewish graduate students for which we encourage you to apply:
Helen B and Lewis E Goldstein Scholarship Fund – The Helen B and Lewis E Goldstein Scholarship Fund is open to Jewish full-time students enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate school in the United States.
Rose Biller Scholarship Fund – The Rose Biller Scholarship Fund is open to Jewish residents of NYC’s five boroughs, Westchester, and Long Island with financial need. It provides scholarships to Jewish men and women with significant economic need attending undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools.
Samuel Lemberg Scholarship Loan Fund – The Samuel Lemberg Scholarship Loan Fund provides interest-free loans to aid Jewish undergraduate and graduate college students who exhibit exceptional academic achievement and face financial difficulties pursuing a higher education. These loans must be repaid within ten years of graduation or termination of studies.
To get more information on these scholarships, please reach out to each organization directly. Please check scholarship websites for availability and deadlines. Scholarships are not available every semester.
To request an application, please submit this form.
When completing the application, you will also be requested to supply:
- Undergraduate Transcript(s)
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Essay describing personal philosophy of education, statement of intent, and rationale for pursuing the degree through UMSV
- Current Resume
- Personal Photograph
- Non-refundable application fee
Even if you do not have these available at the time of application, we recommend submitting your application immediately and the required documentation as they become available.
Once your application is submitted with all the required documents, an interview will be scheduled to continue the admissions process.
Please note: Credits in the following areas are required for NYS Teacher Certification. If you have not fulfilled these requirements at the bachelor’s level, we will guide you on how to fulfill them while completing your master’s courses.
• Communication
• Mathematics
• Scientific Processes
• Written Analysis & Expression
• Concepts in Historical & Social Science
• Artistic Expression
• Foreign Language
• Information Retrieval
• Humanities
If you wish to teach outside of NYS, you will need to transfer your certification to the state in which you reside. The requirements for each state can be found on the Department of Education website for that state.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to call our office 718-633-8557 ext. 50 or email [email protected], and as always, we will be happy to assist you further.
Course Listing
EDUC-340
Introduction to Special Education
EDUC-506
Language, Cognitive Development, and Cultural Diversity
EDUC-509
Working with Systems, Teams, and Culturally Diverse Families
EDUC-513
Psychology of Teaching and Learning
EDUC-522
Teaching Mathematics in Inclusive Settings
EDUC-524
Teaching Social Studies and Science in Inclusive Settings
EDUC-527
Classroom Management and Social Skills Development
EDUC-528
Strategies for Inclusion, Differentiation, and UDL
EDUC-530
Student Teaching in General Education
EDUC-535
Introduction to Assistive Technology
EDUC-602
Research for Teachers
EDUC-621
Early Literacy Methods I
EDUC-622
Early Literacy Methods II
EDUC-675
EDUC-710
Practicum in Teaching Early Literacy and Mathematics
EDUC-750
Student Teaching in Special Education
Career Paths
Wondering what else you can do with a Master of Education Degree (MS.Ed.) besides teaching? While teaching may be the obvious career path for those considering an MS.Ed., there are actually a number of non-teaching careers where an MS.Ed. is required. Popular jobs include a SEIT (Special Education Itinerant Teacher) provider, a P3 provider, an Early Intervention therapist who works with the 0-3 year population, a resource room teacher, an educational consultant, a curriculum developer, a social skills specialist, or a supervisor or principal role. Salary typically increases as you gain experience in the field.