Master of Science in Inclusive Adolescence Education with Dual Initial Certification (M.S.) Program Requirements for 2025-2026

M.S. in Inclusive Adolescence Education with Dual Initial Certification

Dual initial certification includes:

  • Adolescence Education, Grades 7-12
  • Students with Disabilities, All Grades ( preK- grade 12)

Requirements

The number of credits is indicated in parentheses at the end of each course title. For courses with a clinical experience component, the number of hours required is also designated in parentheses.

Note: Candidates must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Courses in which the candidate has earned a grade lower than a “C” must be repeated, which might prolong the duration of the program. All University policies for Academic Standing, Probation and Dismissal apply.

Required Courses -  33-36 credits

  • GEDU 501 - Issues in Health and Safety (0)
  • GSED 501 - Inclusion in Today's Schools (3)
  • GEDU 520 - History and Philosophy of Education (3)
  • GEDU 502-  Differentiated Curriculum , Instruction, and Assessment (3)
  • GAED 533 - Field Experience II - Adolescence (0) (50 hours)
  • GEDU 536-  Growing Minds: Understanding Childhood and Adolescent Development (3)
  • GRDG 534 - Literacy Instruction in the Content Areas (3)
  • GAED 54X- Differentiated Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment in Content Area (3)
  • GSED 515-  Education Technology (3)
  • GRDG 507 - Teaching Reading to Diverse Learners (3)
  • GSED 512 -  Management and Collaboration in Inclusive Classrooms  (3)
  • GSED 556 - Field Experience I: Adolescence SPED (0) (50 hours)
  • GSED 591 - Student Teaching: Special Education and Adolescence (3)
  • GSED 586 - Student Teaching Seminar: Special Education and Adolescence (0)
  • GEDU 526 - Diversity, Social Justice, and Schooling (3 )
  • GAED 534- Field Experience II-Adolescence (0)(optional)
  • GAED 530- Differentiated Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment in Middle School (3) (Optional)

Clinical Experiences and Student Teaching

Clinical experiences are required for certification and the master's degree. Candidates must complete 100 hours of clinical experience before student teaching.

The semester long student teaching experience may be in any grade between 7th and 12th. It may or may not be in a high-needs school/district.

To qualify for student teaching, candidates must:

  • Complete all degree requirements with the exception of GEDU 524
  • Complete the NYS requirements for the adolescence content area - English,  social studies, biology, chemistry, physics, or math.

New York State Requirements: Adolescence and 7-12 Students with Disabilities Generalist Certificates

Candidates who are seeking the Adolescence and Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist Certificate are required to have 30 credits in a chosen content area, completed with a grade of C or better for undergraduate courses or a grade of B- or better for graduate courses. Candidates must also have an adequate knowledge base for teaching the New York State Learning Standards. Transcripts are reviewed prior to admission to determine adequate preparation for the program. Candidates with inadequate preparation will be required to take additional coursework in these core content areas prior to the student teaching semester. 

M.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education - Residency/ Apprenticeship

Residency Certificates:

  • Biology (grades 5-9)
  • Chemistry (grades 5-9)
  • Earth Science (grades 5-9)
  • Physics (grades 5-9)
  • English Language Arts (grades 5-9)
  • Social Studies (grades 5-9)
  • Mathematics (grades 5-9)
  • Language other than English (Spanish, French) (grades 5-9) 

Requirements

The number of credits is indicated in parentheses at the end of each course title. 

Required Courses - 36-39 credits   

  • GEDU 501 - Issues in Health and Safety (0)
  • GSED 501 - Inclusion in Today's Schools (3)
  • GEDU 520 - History and Philosophy of Education ( 3)
  • GEDU 502 -Differentiated Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment (3)
  • GEDU 536 - Growing Minds: Understanding Childhood and Adolescent Development (3)
  • GRDG 534 - Literacy Instruction in the Content Areas (3)
  • GAED 54X - Differentiated Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment in Content Areas (3)
  • GSED 515 - Education Technology (3)
  • GRDG 507 - Teaching Reading to Diverse Learners
  • GSED 512 - Management and Collaboration in Inclusive Classrooms  (3)
  • GSED 556 - Field Experience I: Adolescence SPED (0) (50 hours)
  • GSED 592 - Student Teaching Residency/Apprenticeship I (3)
  • GSED 593 - Student Teaching Residency/Apprenticeship II (3)
  • GEDU 526 - Diversity, Social Justice, and Schooling (3)
  • GAED 530- Differentiated Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment in Middle School (3) (optional)

Total Credits: 36-39

The residency program at St. John Fisher University offers graduate-level teacher candidates a yearlong, full-time immersive experience in a classroom leading to their initial NYS teaching certificate. When connected with a registered Apprenticeship, candidates are paid during their graduate program. Residents are hired in collaboration with a partner district and work with an experienced mentor co-teacher for the entire school year, enabling them to apply their graduate-level learning with guidance to their classroom teaching every day. 

Note: The program requirements listed are for the current academic year. Past and future program requirements may differ. Visit the catalog website to access current and past catalogs.