Special Education Bachelor’s Degrees in NYC: Empowering Future Educators
Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education in New York City offers an unparalleled opportunity to prepare for a rewarding career in teaching and advocating for students with diverse learning needs. NYC’s dynamic educational landscape, coupled with its vibrant, multicultural communities, provides aspiring educators with real-world experiences and innovative training programs. Special Education degrees focus on equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to create inclusive learning environments, adapt curriculum to diverse abilities, and foster the potential of students with disabilities. Whether you’re passionate about early intervention, behavioral strategies, or assistive technology, NYC is the ideal place to start your journey in making a meaningful impact in education.
CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College
Baruch College is a distinguished institution located in the heart of Manhattan. Its programs are designed to integrate academic excellence with practical experiences, making it an excellent choice for future educators. The Special Education program prepares students with inclusive teaching methodologies and strategies tailored to diverse learners.
- Contact: (646) 312-1000
- Website: www.baruch.cuny.edu
- Directions: Located at 55 Lexington Ave, Baruch College is easily accessible via public transportation. Take the 6 train to 23rd Street Station, then walk two blocks east. Alternatively, buses M1, M2, and M3 stop nearby.
Pace University
Pace University offers a robust Special Education program emphasizing innovative practices and practical classroom applications. With its urban location, students have access to numerous professional opportunities in New York City schools and organizations.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Coursework: The program covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and behavioral interventions tailored for students with disabilities across all grade levels.
- Practical Experience: Candidates engage in fieldwork and student teaching opportunities to apply learned techniques in real classroom settings, ensuring readiness to address various educational challenges.
- Contact: (212) 346-1200
- Website: www.pace.edu
- Directions: The downtown campus is located at 1 Pace Plaza. Take the 4, 5, 6, J, or Z trains to Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall Station. From there, it’s a short walk to campus. Buses M15 and M103 also stop nearby.
St. Joseph’s University-New York
St. Joseph’s University combines academic rigor with community-focused values. Its Special Education program emphasizes adaptive teaching strategies and inclusive classroom management techniques.
Curriculum Details:
- Specialized Coursework: The program offers courses focusing on instructional strategies, assessment techniques, and behavioral interventions tailored for students with disabilities in either childhood (grades 1–6) or adolescent (grades 7–12) settings.
- Practical Field Experience: Candidates participate in supervised fieldwork and student teaching placements, providing hands-on experience in applying specialized teaching methods within diverse classroom environments.
- Contact: (718) 940-5800
- Website: www.sjny.edu
- Directions: Located at 245 Clinton Avenue, the campus is near the Atlantic Terminal. Take the 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, or R subway lines to Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center Station, then transfer to the G train to Clinton–Washington Avenues. The campus is a short walk from the station.
CUNY City College
City College’s Special Education program integrates research-based practices with hands-on teaching experiences in New York’s diverse educational system. The program is designed to prepare educators for various settings, from urban to suburban.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Coursework: The program offers courses focusing on instructional strategies, assessment methods, and behavioral interventions tailored for diverse learners across various educational settings.
- Flexible Learning Formats: To accommodate different needs, the program is available in hybrid or fully online formats, providing flexibility for working professionals.
- Contact: (212) 650-7000
- Website: www.ccny.cuny.edu
- Directions: Located at 160 Convent Avenue, City College can be reached by taking the A, C, or 1 trains to 137th Street–City College Station. From the station, walk west along 138th Street to the main entrance.
New Jersey City University (NJCU)
NJCU provides a dynamic Special Education program focusing on meeting the needs of learners with disabilities in diverse environments. The program includes a mix of coursework and practical experience in nearby schools.
Curriculum Details:
- Diverse Graduate Programs: NJCU offers several graduate degrees, such as the Master of Arts in Special Education with Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDTC) Endorsement Eligibility, and the Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education with Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD) Endorsement Eligibility, among others.
- Flexible Learning Options: The programs provide flexible class schedules and online classes, accommodating both traditional and nontraditional students.
- Contact: (201) 200-2000
- Website: www.njcu.edu
- Directions: Located at 2039 Kennedy Boulevard, the campus is accessible via the PATH train to Journal Square. From there, take a local NJ Transit bus or walk approximately 20 minutes to the university.
CUNY Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College’s Special Education program emphasizes culturally responsive teaching strategies and fieldwork in NYC schools. Students benefit from the college’s partnerships with local educational organizations.
Curriculum Details:
- Developmentally Appropriate Instruction: Candidates learn to plan curriculum, instruction, adaptations, and intervention strategies tailored to individual students, focusing on both preventative and reductive approaches to address challenging behaviors.Brooklyn College
- Research Competency: The program emphasizes the development of research skills, enabling candidates to engage in inquiry and analysis, thereby expanding their professional identity to include the role of “teacher as researcher.
- Contact: (718) 951-5000
- Website: www.brooklyn.cuny.edu
- Directions: Located at 2900 Bedford Avenue, the campus is reachable via the 2 or 5 train to Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College Station. Walk one block to the main entrance.
Manhattan College
Manhattan College offers a program rooted in Lasallian traditions, emphasizing community engagement and inclusive teaching. Its proximity to NYC allows for a blend of suburban campus life and urban fieldwork experiences.
Curriculum Details:
- Accelerated Dual Certification: Students earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five years, leading to New York State certifications in Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities for grades 1–6.
- Integrated Graduate Coursework: During their senior undergraduate year, students begin graduate-level courses, allowing for a seamless transition into advanced studies focused on instructional strategies, assessment methods, and behavioral interventions for diverse learners.
- Contact: (718) 862-8000
- Website: www.manhattan.edu
- Directions: Located at 4513 Manhattan College Parkway, take the 1 train to 242nd Street–Van Cortlandt Park Station. From there, the campus is a 10-minute walk or a short shuttle ride.
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall’s Special Education program focuses on creating inclusive classrooms and fostering advocacy for students with disabilities. The university provides a mix of theoretical knowledge and field experience.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Coursework: The 36-credit program encompasses 21 credits dedicated to obtaining the Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement, with additional credits varying based on chosen concentrations such as Applied Behavior Analysis, Instructional Design Technology, or TESOL.
- Flexible Admission: The program operates on a rolling admissions basis, accepting applications throughout the year, and requires an online application, official transcripts, a professional resume, a letter of intent, two letters of recommendation, and a personal interview.
- Contact: (973) 761-9000
- Website: www.shu.edu
- Directions: Located at 400 South Orange Avenue, the campus is accessible via NJ Transit from Penn Station to South Orange Station. From the station, take a shuttle or walk approximately 15 minutes.
Kean University
Kean University provides a forward-thinking Special Education program, combining academic excellence with innovative teaching methods. Students gain experience in a variety of settings, from urban to suburban schools.
Curriculum Details:
- Specialization Options: Candidates can choose between two tracks: Learning and Behavioral Disabilities, focusing on instructional strategies and interventions for students with learning challenges; and Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Spectrum Disorders, emphasizing behavior analysis techniques and support for individuals with autism.
- Evidence-Based Practices: The program emphasizes the development of evidence-based approaches, enabling educators to design, implement, and assess individualized teaching procedures that enhance the quality of life for students with disabilities.
- Contact: (908) 737-5326
- Website: www.kean.edu
- Directions: Take NJ Transit from Penn Station to Union Station. From there, campus shuttles provide direct transportation to Kean.
Molloy College
Molloy College offers a Special Education program tailored to small class sizes and personalized mentoring. Its emphasis on practical fieldwork prepares students for diverse classrooms.
Curriculum Details:
- Dual Certification Opportunity: Molloy offers an accelerated dual degree program where, in five years, students can earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, along with dual certification in adolescence education (grades 7–12) and special education.
- Diverse Field Experiences: The program provides various student-teaching opportunities across different learning environments, allowing candidates to discover their teaching passions and effectively support students with diverse learning needs.
- Contact: (516) 323-3000
- Website: www.molloy.edu
- Directions: Located at 1000 Hempstead Avenue, take the LIRR from Penn Station to Rockville Centre Station, then walk or take a short taxi ride to campus.
St. Thomas Aquinas College
St. Thomas Aquinas College emphasizes a balance between academic learning and real-world teaching applications, preparing students for inclusive and effective classroom management.
Curriculum Details:
- Program Options: Candidates can choose between two tracks: Grades 1–6 or Grades 7–12. The Grades 7–12 track provides the foundation for educators to serve as co-teachers in inclusive classrooms and to earn two New York State certifications: Students with Disabilities Generalist and a content area extension in Students with Disabilities.
- Featured Courses: The program includes courses such as ‘Collaboration Skills for the Special Educator,’ focusing on effective collaboration with students, parents, and professionals; ‘Cognition and Instruction,’ examining cognitive processes influencing learning; and ‘Instructional Strategies,’ studying research-validated instructional approaches for students with high-incidence disabilities.
- Contact: (845) 398-4000
- Website: www.stac.edu
- Directions: Located at 125 Route 340, Sparkill is accessible via the Palisades Interstate Parkway. For public transport, take buses from NYC to Rockland County and a local taxi.
Long Island University (LIU)
LIU provides a comprehensive Special Education program focusing on inclusive practices and innovative teaching strategies.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Graduate Programs: Options include M.S.Ed. degrees in Childhood Special Education (Grades 1–6), Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education (Birth–Grade 2), and Special Education (Grades 1–6) combined with Literacy (Birth–Grade 6). LIU
- Advanced Certificate Opportunities: For educators seeking additional credentials, advanced certificates are available in areas such as Childhood Special Education (Grades 1–6) and Special Education (Grades 7–12) Generalist.
- Contact: (516) 299-2900
- Website: www.liu.edu
- Directions: Reachable via the LIRR to Hicksville Station. From there, take a local taxi or campus shuttle.
SUNY Old Westbury
SUNY Old Westbury’s program integrates social justice themes into Special Education training, emphasizing inclusive practices.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Coursework: The program covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and behavioral interventions tailored for students with disabilities in childhood education settings.
- Practical Field Experience: Candidates engage in supervised fieldwork and student teaching placements, providing hands-on experience in applying specialized teaching methods within diverse classroom environments.
- Contact: (516) 876-3000
- Website: www.oldwestbury.edu
- Directions: Located at 223 Store Hill Road, Old Westbury. Take the LIRR to Westbury Station and then a local bus or taxi to the campus.