Intellectual Disabilities/Autism

Welcome to the Intellectual Disabilities/Autism program


The Intellectual Disability/Autism program at Teachers College prepares students to work with individuals with disabilities across a range of contexts. Our teacher certification programs lead to teaching students with disabilities (special education) certification at the early childhood, childhood, and adolescence level. And the dual certification degree programs prepare graduates to teach students with and without disabilities in a variety of public and private classroom settings — inclusive classrooms, integrated co-teaching (ICT) classrooms, self-contained classrooms, and special schools.

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Our programs offer coursework and experiences at three levels: early childhood, childhood and adolescence. The early childhood and childhood programs lead to dual certification in students with disabilities. All certification programs prepare teachers to work with students with and without disabilities.  

 

For students who are also interested in adding a certificate in literacy:

The Advanced Certificate in Literacy is a five course “add-on” featured opportunity to the
programs in Intellectual Disabilities/Autism and Developmental Disabilities which leads to NYS
Literacy (All Grades) certification, and which provides hands-on experience working with
struggling readers and writers. In some cases, selected certificate courses can serve as electives
in the degree program.

  • M.A. in Severe or Multiple Disabilities: This M.A. program is designed for students who already have initial Special Education teaching certification in New York State.* The program leads to the NY State Annotation in Severe or Multiple Disabilities. The program provides emphasis on the needs of students with intellectual disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

*Please contact us if you have certification from another state and are interested in this program.

 

For students who are also interested in adding a certificate in literacy:

The Advanced Certificate in Literacy is a five course “add-on” featured opportunity to the
programs in Intellectual Disabilities/Autism and Developmental Disabilities which leads to NYS
Literacy (All Grades) certification, and which provides hands-on experience working with
struggling readers and writers. In some cases, selected certificate courses can serve as electives
in the degree program.

The M.A. Program in Developmental Disabilities offers interdisciplinary perspective on disabilities, bridging coursework in special education with that across other disciplines (Psychology, Health, and/or Leadership).  While this program does not lead to teacher certification, it provides students with knowledge and experiences in developmental disabilities, with specialized emphasis on Autism Spectrum Disorder.  

M.A. in Developmental Disabilities (On-Campus):  This program is designed for students who seek a graduate degree that provides knowledge and experiences in developmental disabilities, but do not want teacher certification.  

M.A. in Developmental Disabilities (Online): As with the in-person Developmental Disabilities program, the online Developmental Disabilities program is designed for students who seek a graduate degree that provides knowledge and experiences in developmental disabilities.  The online program includes the added flexibility of an asynchronous format.

 

For students who are also interested in adding a certificate in literacy:

The Advanced Certificate in Literacy is a five course “add-on” featured opportunity to the
programs in Intellectual Disabilities/Autism and Developmental Disabilities which leads to NYS
Literacy (All Grades) certification, and which provides hands-on experience working with
struggling readers and writers. In some cases, selected certificate courses can serve as electives
in the degree program.

We offer both a Ph.D. and Ed.D. in Intellectual Disability/Autism: both programs are designed for students who seek advanced research training in the field of developmental disability.

 

For students who are also interested in adding a certificate in literacy:

The Advanced Certificate in Literacy is a five course “add-on” featured opportunity to the
programs in Intellectual Disabilities/Autism and Developmental Disabilities which leads to NYS
Literacy (All Grades) certification, and which provides hands-on experience working with
struggling readers and writers. In some cases, selected certificate courses can serve as electives
in the degree program.

The Advanced Certificate in Literacy is a five course “add-on” featured opportunity to the programs in Intellectual Disabilities/Autism and Developmental Disabilities which leads to NYS Literacy (All Grades) certification.

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