Inclusive Childhood Education

You can make a difference—in your life and the lives of future generations—by enrolling in Fisher’s inclusive childhood education program.

The program is deemed “inclusive” because, as an undergraduate education candidate, you will work toward dual certification in general education and special education. Combine that with a second, required content major and you have the makings of an education that leaves your career options wide open.

The inclusive childhood education program results in certification in childhood education (grades 1-6), students with disabilities (all grades, PreK-12), with optional early childhood education (birth-grade 2) and/or optional middle school extension (grades 7-9) in an approved content area.

Program Overview, Beginning 2025-2026

With the inclusive childhood education major, you’ll also complete a second major or concentration in a content/liberal arts area. If you are seeking the optional middle school extension, the second major/concentration must be in one of the following content areas:

• American Studies
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth Science
• English
• History
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Spanish

As an inclusive childhood education major, you will take additional liberal arts courses to meet the Fisher Core requirements.  In addition, to meet the New York State content requirements for the program, you will complete courses in math, science, English, and social studies. Many of the Fisher Core requirements may also meet the New York State content requirements.

You will also be required to successfully complete a set of courses and clinical experiences relating to pedagogical content in teacher education.  At least 50 of the 150 hours of the clinical experiences must focus on the needs of students with disabilities for your dual certification in childhood education and students with disabilities.

This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Optional Early Childhood Certification Extension

The optional early childhood certification extension, birth – kindergarten, is available by completing one additional early childhood instruction course (2 credits) and additional clinical experiences in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1-2 (1 credit total).

Optional Middle School Certification Extension

If you choose one of the following content areas – biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, history, American Studies, English, Spanish, or mathematics – and complete the optional middle school instruction course (3 credits), your certification will extend to grades 7-9 in that content area.

Life After Fisher

With a B.S. degree in inclusive childhood education from Fisher, you are qualified to teach in a variety of settings and capacities. Graduates of this program have gone on to hold positions in the following regional locations:

• Third grade teacher within the Penfield Central School District
• Second grade teacher of dual language subjects at Rochester’s Enrico Fermi School No. 17
• Elementary special education teacher within the Rochester City School District
• Literacy coach at French Road Elementary School
• Superintendent of schools at East Rochester Union Free School District

Licensure Information

The Inclusive Childhood Education program is designed to meet program and licensure requirements in New York State. For candidates seeking licensure in a state other than New York, please see the Licensure Disclosure.