Curriculum & Instruction in Inclusive Education: Master of Science in Education degree

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Office: E270 Thompson Hall

(716) 673-3701

Mira T. Berkley, Chairperson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Robert Dahlgren, Program Coordinator

Email: ci@fredonia.edu

Website: http://www.fredonia.edu/coe/ci.asp

The College of Education at the State University of New York at Fredonia prepares early childhood, childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence educators for the significant instructional challenges that await them. The general philosophy underlying the Responsive Educator Program is an organized, yet complex model, which correlates with the themes that characterize current educational research. That is, we believe that all children can learn, and that they can learn best by teachers who are responsive.

The Curriculum and Instruction in Inclusive Education program is open to educators who possess initial certification in one or more of the following:

• Early Childhood Education
• Childhood Education (formerly Elementary Education)
• Adolescence or Middle Childhood Education in English, French, Mathematics, Social Studies, Spanish, or the Sciences
• Students with Disabilities

This program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of graduate level courses.

This program includes a capstone experience and specific exit requirements. These are currently under review and subject to change. They are intended to be rigorous and to provide evidence that each degree candidate is worthy of a master's degree. The following are the current exit requirements for the Master of Science in Education in Curriculum and Instruction in Inclusive Education program.

1. Performance-based evidence of impact on p-12 student learning through a structured field experience (currently in EDU 514)
2. Performance-based evidence of technology use in being an effective teacher and professional colleague via portfolio assignment (see program coordinator for this assignment)
3. Performance-based evidence of cultural responsiveness as an educator via portfolio assignment (see program coordinator for this assignment)
4. Thesis/Project (as culminating experience in EDU 690)

Special Note: Several Courses are offered each semester during the academic year. Candidates are advised not to rely exclusively on summer offerings to meet graduation goals.

Requirements for Admission to the Program without Deficiencies:

• Initial certification to teach early childhood, childhood, middle childhood, adolescence education, or students with disabilities in the public schools of New York State or equivalent.
• Prior (undergraduate) GPA of 2.75 or above.
• Completed Graduate Application submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies, including two current (within six months) letters of recommendation, and official academic transcripts from all prior undergraduate and graduate institutions (except SUNY Fredonia).

Curriculum and Instruction in Inclusive Education (initial certifications Early Childhood to Childhood - generalist or students with disabilities)

Minimum number of credit hours required for program completion: 36

Research (12 required credit hours)

Inclusive Education Core (12 required credit hours)

Linking Content & Pedagogy (12 required credit hours)

Choose 12 credits from the following:

Literacy/Language Arts

Social Studies

Mathematics/Science/Technology

Interdisciplinary

*Candidates may take no more than 6 credit hours of EDU 591 courses.

Electives (3 credit hours)

Any graduate course not used to satisfy other requirements; advisor approval required.

Capstone (Must have completed EDU 660 with a B grade or better and 30 credit hours of graduate work)

Curriculum and Instruction in Inclusive Education (initial certifications Middle to Adolescence - generalist or students with disabilities)

Minimum number of credit hours required for program completion: 36

Research (12 required credit hours)

A minimum of 6 credit hours, not counting the Capstone requirement (see below). Note: At least one course that meets this requirement is offered each semester during the academic year.

Inclusive Education Core (12 required credit hours)

Linking Content & Pedagogy (12 required credit hours)

To meet the requirements of the program and NYS regulations, candidates need 12 credit hours of courses that link pedagogy with the content area of their initial certificate. Courses are offered both through the College of Education and the content departments in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Candidates should select 12 credit hours of course work in consultation with the C&I Program Coordinator and the appropriate department from the College of Arts & Sciences.

Electives (3 credit hours)

Any graduate course not used to satisfy other requirements; advisor approval required.

Capstone (Must have completed EDU 660 with a B grade or better and 30 credit hours of graduate work)