MSED in Early Childhood Special Education
Master of Science in Education in
Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-2nd Grade)
This 36-credit program is designed for candidates who have an initial certification from New York State in either Early Childhood Education or Childhood Education. The program prepares candidates to teach students across the spectrum of disabilities and educational support needs.
Candidates have the option of following a 2-year sequence or a 3-year sequence. It is strongly recommended that candidates who work full time take the 3-year sequence. Candidates must meet with a faculty advisor and obtain approval to follow the 2-year sequence.
Contact Information
Program Coordinator:
Dr. Sun A. Kim
Powdermaker Hall, Room 032L
Phone: 718-997-5240
Fax: 718-997-5248
Sun.Kim@qc.cuny.edu
Administrative Staff:
Jaclyn Arroyo
Powdermaker Hall, Room 033
718-997-5240
jaclyn.arroyo@qc.cuny.edu
Course Sequence
| Year 1 | FALL | ECPSE 700 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| ECPSE 701 | Introduction to Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education | 3 | ||
| SPRING | ECPSE 712 | Language and Literacy: Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Special Education | 3 | |
| ECPSE 708 | Collaboration with Families and School-based Teams | 3 | ||
| Year 2 |
FALL | ECPSE 722 | Applied Behavior Analysis & Positive Behavioral Supports | 3 |
| ECPSE 730 | Curriculum and Instruction for Early Childhood Special Education | 3 | ||
| SPRING | ECPSE 805 | Culturally Responsive Early Intervention (Birth – Age 3) | 3 | |
| ECPSE 731 | Advanced Seminar in Early Childhood Special Education | 3 | ||
| SUMMER | ECPSE 725 | Internship in Severe Disabilities | 6 | |
| Year 3 |
FALL | ECPSE 746 | Research in Special Education | 3 |
| SPRING | ECPSE 748 | Advanced Research in Special Education | 3 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 36 |
MSED in Early Childhood Special Education – 2 Year Sequence
| Year | Semester | Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
| Year 1 |
FALL | ECPSE 700 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| ECPSE 701 | Introduction to Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education | 3 | ||
| ECPSE 722 | Applied Behavior Analysis & Positive Behavioral Supports | 3 | ||
| SPRING | ECPSE 712 | Language and Literacy: Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Special Education | 3 | |
| ECPSE 708 | Collaboration with Families and School-based Teams | 3 | ||
| ECPSE 805 | Culturally Responsive Early Intervention (Birth – Age 3) | 3 | ||
| SUMMER | ECPSE 725 | Internship in Severe Disabilities | 6 | |
| Year 2 |
FALL | ECPSE 730 | Curriculum and Instruction for Early Childhood Special Education |
3 |
| ECPSE 746 | Research in Special Education | 3 | ||
| SPRING | ECPSE 731 | Advanced Seminar in Early Childhood Special Education | 3 | |
| ECPSE 748 | Advanced Research in Special Education | 3 | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 36 |
Program Completion
To graduate, all GPSE candidates are required to meet the following requirements:
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete all coursework.
- Perform successfully on all program-level and divisional-level assessments.
Candidates receiving MSED degrees must also:
- Successfully complete a research project developed with, supervised, and supported by a faculty member.
Candidates are responsible for ensuring that all requirements have been met for graduation. Incompletes must be resolved and ample time must be allowed for processing the change of grade forms. Candidates must apply for graduation on their CUNYFirst account. It is the candidate’s responsibility to follow up to ensure that all paperwork is processed in time for graduation.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the MSED in Special Education Programs must:
- Hold an initial/provisional certificate in general education in the age/school range of the special education program to which they apply (Birth–Grade 2; Grades 1–6; Grades 7-12).
- An overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or better from their undergraduate studies.
- Write a well-organized, well-conceptualized essay that clearly communicates their reasons for pursuing a degree in special education. Indicate the nature of their current and past experiences with people with disabilities.
- Provide three letters of recommendation from professional sources. The letters must demonstrate the applicant’s superior abilities, qualities, and potential as a graduate candidate in special education.
- SPECIAL NOTE – As of 11/15/2021 the GRE in no longer required for admissions
Certification
Candidates who meet the requirements for graduation, and who have completed all required New York State seminars and have taken all required Content Specialty Tests (CST) will be recommended to the New York State Education Department by the Queens College Office of Teacher Certification for extensions to their licenses in Teaching Students with Disabilities at the appropriate age/grade level.