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

M.S. in Inclusive Childhood Education Dual Initial Certification

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.

  • 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)
  • GCED 531 - Field Experience II Childhood (0) (50 hours)
  • GEDU 536-  Growing Minds: Understanding Childhood and Adolescent Dev. (3)
  • GRDG 535 - Differentiated Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment in Literacy (3)
  • GRDG 550 - Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Content Areas  (3)
  • GSED 515 - Educational Technology (3)
  • GSED 531 - Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction in Mathematics, Science, and Tech. (3)
  • GSED 508 - Management and Collaboration Inclusive Classrooms  (3)
  • GSED 555 - Field Experience : Childhood SPED (0) (50 hours)
  • GSED 590 - Student Teaching: Special Education and Childhood (3)
  • GSED 585 - Student Teaching Seminar: Special Education and Childhood (0)
  • GEDU 526 - Diversity, Social Justice, and Schooling (3)
  • GCED 533 - Differentiated Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in Early Childhood (2) ( optional)
  • GCED 534-  Practicum in Early Childhood (1) ( optional)

Total: 33-36 credits

Clinical Experiences and Student Teaching

Clinical experiences are required for certification and the master's degree. Candidates must successfully complete 100 hours of clinical experiences before student teaching. The semester long student teaching experience may be in any grade between 1st and 6th. 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 526

New York State Requirements: Childhood Certificates

  • Candidates who are seeking the Childhood and Special Education Certificates are required to have 30 credit hours in the liberal arts and sciences, completed with a grade of C or better for undergraduate courses or a grade of B- or better for graduate. Candidates must also have an adequate knowledge base for teaching to 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 prior to student teaching.

M.S.Ed. Inclusive Childhood Education Residency/Apprenticeship

Candidates for the residency/apprenticeship program must first enroll in the traditional M.S. Inclusive Childhood Education program, then complete an application for the residency/apprenticeship.

The residency/apprenticeship program at St. John Fisher University offers graduate-level teacher candidates a year-long, 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. 

Requirements

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

  • GEDU 501 - Issues in Health and Safety (0)
  • GSED 501 - Inclusion Education in Today's Schools (3)
  • GEDU 520 - History and Philosophy of Education (3)
  • GEDU 502 - Differentiated Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (3)
  • GEDU 536 - Growing Minds: Understanding Childhood and Adolescent Dev. (3)
  • GRDG 535 - Differentiated Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment in Literacy (3)
  • GSED 531 - Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction in Mathematics, Science, and Tech. (3)
  • GSED 515 - Educational Technology (3)
  • GRDG 550 - Differentiated Literacy Instruction Content Areas (3)
  • GSED 508 - Management and Collaboration in Inclusive Classrooms (3)
  • GSED 555 - Field Experience: Childhood 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)
  • GCED 532 - Field Experience II- Childhood  (1) (optional)
  • GCED 533 - Differentiated Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment - Early Childhood (2) (optional)

Total: 36-39 credits

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.