The Preservice Program in Elementary Inclusive Education prepares teachers to teach all children, particularly in urban contexts. The course of study emphasizes curriculum development for heterogeneous classrooms, critical multiculturalism, teaching for equity and social justice, and an inquiry approach to teaching and learning. The program reflects the pluralism at Teachers College; our students study a wide variety of approaches to education rather than a single one. In keeping with this philosophy, the emphasis is on leadership, inquiry, and practice-based and moral decision making. Our stance is that there is no single truth in education. Teachers must be expert "kid-watchers": searching for the best way to teach each child and group of children. Such teaching lacks the safety and predictability of the "tried and true" approach and requires individuals who understand the limitations of fixed formulas and who enjoy reaching out into the unpredictable world created by the diversity and the uniqueness of each child and each group of children. We seek prospective teachers who have a deep commitment to learning from and with children, about their passions and habits, interests and needs. We prepare teachers to draw upon community and family assets and consciously build a capacity approach to working in low-income neighborhoods. Above all, we wish to prepare educators who put developing relationships with children, their families, and community members well ahead of obtaining high scores on standardized tests.
The Program in Elementary Inclusive Education is both a graduate program and a professional course of study. This rigorous Academic Program is designed primarily for those who have no (or minimal) formal preparation or coursework in education and are beginning their study of teaching. The degree programs lead to an M.A. degree and New York State teacher certifications. U.S. students may also apply for certification in other states according to state-specific processes and requirements and inter-state reciprocal agreements. and many secure teaching positions elsewhere in the U.S. as well as internationally. There are two main components to the program: course work and student teaching. All M.A. degree students have a five-year candidacy period in which to complete their degree program.
44-CREDIT PROGRAM—Elementary Education and Teaching Students with Disabilities
This program is designed to prepare student teachers to work with all children particularly those from marginalized communities who experience forms of exclusion in schools. All students in the program will earn an M.A. degree and pursue teacher certifications in both Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Teaching Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6).
56-CREDIT PROGRAM—Elementary Education with Gifted Extension
The Gifted Extension option allows students in the Elementary Inclusive Education Program to receive the New York State extension in gifted education along with dual certifications in Elementary Education and Teaching Students with Disabilities by including 12 credits in gifted education in their course of study.
Points/Credits: 44
Entry Terms: Spring/Summer/Fall
Certification:
Degree Requirements
Students in this Elementary Inclusive Education Program will earn an M.A. degree and pursue New York State certifications in both Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Teaching Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6).
Course Requirements for the 44-Credit Program (MA-ELEM-DUAL)
M.A. Elementary Inclusive Education and Teaching Students with Disabilities
Student Teaching Semesters - Restricted to Student Teachers
Course #, Course Name, and Credits
C&T 4123 Student Teaching Methods: Inclusive Teaching Seminar I (Spring) 3
C&T 4124 Student Teaching Methods: Inclusive Teaching Seminar II (Fall) 3
C&T 4726 Professional Laboratory Experiences/Student Teaching in Elementary Education (year-long course) 8
C&T 4132 Learning and Teaching in the Primary Reading/Writing Classroom 3
C&T 4019 Literacy Supports 3
Foundations and Methods Courses
Course #, Course Name, and Credits
C&T 4000 Disability, Exclusion, and Schooling 3
C&T 4320 Practicum for Disability, Exclusion, and Schooling 0
C&T 4143 Multicultural Social Studies in the Elementary and Middle School 3
MSTC 4040 Science in Childhood Education 3
MSTM 5010 Mathematics in the Elementary School 3
HBSS 4116 Health Education for Teachers 1
Various Educational Foundations * (Philosophy/Social Science in Education or Child Development) 3
C&T 4037 Relational Approaches to Challenging Behavior 2
C&T 5081 Collaborative Communication in Cultural Contexts 1
C&T 4060 Literacy for Students with Significant Disabilities 2
C&T 4321 Practicum for Literacy for Students with Significant Disabilities 0
C&T 4301 Educational Assessment of Students with Disabilities 2
*An appropriate undergraduate course may be substituted for this requirement; please consult with Program Faculty.
New York State Education Department (NYSED) mandates teacher certification requirements that are needed for program completion and graduation which are listed in the Office of Teacher Education section of the catalog.
Points/Credits: 56
Entry Terms: Spring/Summer/Fall
Certification:
Degree Requirements
The Gifted Extension option allows students in the Elementary Inclusive Education Program to pursue the New York State extension in gifted education along with dual certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Teaching Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6) by including 12 credits in gifted education in their course study.
Course Requirements for the 56-Credit Program (MA-GFEX-DUAL)
M.A. Elementary Inclusive Education and Teaching Students with Disabilities with Gifted Extension
Student Teaching Semesters - Restricted to Student Teachers
Course #, Course Name, and Credits
C&T 4123 Student Teaching Methods: Inclusive Teaching Seminar (Spring) 3
C&T 4124 Student Teaching Methods: Inclusive Teaching Seminar II (Fall) 3
C&T 4726 Professional Laboratory Experiences/Student Teaching in Elementary Education (year-long course) 8
C&T 4132 Learning and Teaching in the Primary Reading/Writing Classroom 3
C&T 4019 Literacy Supports 3
Foundations and Methods Courses
Course #, Course Name, and Credits
C&T 4000 Disability, Exclusion, and Schooling 3
C&T 4320 Practicum for Disability, Exclusion, and Schooling 0
C&T 4143 Multicultural Social Studies in the Elementary and Middle School 3
MSTC 4040 Science in Childhood Education 3
MSTM 5010 Mathematics in the Elementary School 3
HBSS 4116 Health Education for Teachers 1
Various Educational Foundations * (Philosophy/Social Science in Education or Child Development) 3
C&T 4037 Relational Approaches to Challenging Behavior 2
C&T 4060 Literacy for Students with Significant Disabilities 2
C&T 4321 Practicum for Literacy for Students with Significant Disabilities 0
C&T 4301 Educational Assessment of Students with Disabilities 2
C&T 5080 Access to Full Participation in Schools 3
C&T 5081 Collaborative Communication in Cultural Contexts 1
Gifted Education Extension
Possibilities include, but not limited to:
Course #, Course Name, and Credits
C&T 4021 Nature and Needs of Gifted Students 3
C&T 4022 Instructional Models in the Education of Gifted Students 3
C&T 4023 Differentiated Curriculum for Gifted Students 3
C&T 4025 Nurturing Talents & Gifts during the Early Childhood Years 2-3
C&T 4026 Giftedness and Intelligence 2-3
C&T 4702 Student Teaching: Gifted 3
C&T 5024 Planning and Implementing Programs for Gifted Students 3
*An appropriate undergraduate course may be substituted for this requirement; please consult with Program Faculty.
New York State Education Department (NYSED) mandates teacher certification requirements that are needed for program completion and graduation which are listed in the Office of Teacher Education section of the catalog.