The Special Education Program at Canisius College offers a unique graduate program in the area of Adolescent Special Education. This specialized course of study is designed to provide research-based coursework specific to working with students in grades 7-12 with special needs. Coursework focuses on adapting the curriculum and remedial learning strategies for adolescent learners.
Graduate students will also participate in practicum experiences and ongoing research activities. Students can participate in ongoing research studies being conducted by special education faculty or select another area of interest related to disabilities. The Special Education Program places a strong emphasis on content, research and applied practice.
Core Courses for Initial Certification in Special Education
SPE 560 Psychological and Educational Aspects of Disability
SPE 565 Research Methods
SPE 570 Standards Based Assessment
SPE 580 Classroom Management
SPE 585 Differentiated Instruction Across the Standards
SPE 644 Collaborative Practices on a Transdisciplinary Team
Concentration Courses
SPE 610 Analysis of Adolescent Development and the Implications of Disability
SPE 611 Remedial Strategies for Teaching Reading in the Adolescent Classroom**
SPE 612 Remedial Strategies for the MST Curriculum in the Adolescent Classroom**
SPE 613 Remedial Writing in the Adolescent Classroom**
SPE 614 Adapting the Social Studies Curriculum in the Adolescent Classroom**
SPE 649 Transition Issues for Adolescents with Disabilities
** Each course so designated includes 20 hours of field experience
Professional Seminar and Practica
- SPE 698 Professional Seminar and Practica
- SPE 698 is a 3 credit hour course that requires 50 hours of field experience for non-certified candidates; 20 hours of field experience for candidates already certified in another area. Candidates certified in special education will substitute an additional teaching methods course.
- SPE 699 Student Teaching
- SPE 699 is 12 credit hours and two seven week placements for candidates without previous certification; or 6 credit hours and one seven week placement for candidates with previous certification in another area. Candidates certified in childhood special education are exempt.
- SPE 698 is a 3 credit hour course that requires 50 hours of field experience for non-certified candidates; 20 hours of field experience for candidates already certified in another area. Candidates certified in special education will substitute an additional teaching methods course.
Students entering the program without prior certification will take the following three additional courses:
EDR 502 Foundations of Literacy Instruction
EDU 555 Human Growth & Development: Adolescence
EDU 517 Teaching Strategies: Adolescence
In addition, candidates must meet the requirements for one of the following concentration areas for Adolescence:
| English | Mathematics |
| French | Biology |
| German | Chemistry |
| Spanish | Physics |
| Social Studies |
Required Certification Exams for Initial Certification (NYSTCE): Students with Disabilities ( Grades 7-12)
LAST: Liberal Arts and Science Test
ATS-W: Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (Secondary)
CST: Content Speciality Test-(Students with Disabilities)
- Candidates without any prior certification must also take the CST for one of the concentration areas listed above. This is in addition to the CST test: Students with Disabilities
Other certification requirements:
1. Fingerprinting
2. Child Abuse Seminar
3. Prevention of School Violence Seminar
(Items 2 and 3 are a part of SPE 699 and occur at the beginning of student teaching)