COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master’s in Special Education with an inclusion emphasis at the University at Albany is a flexible 30-credit program designed for working teachers, allowing completion on a part-time basis without requiring practicum or internship experiences. Classes are offered online or in the evening on campus, making it easier for educators to balance professional responsibilities with graduate study. The curriculum is structured across three main areas: special education, educational psychology, and literacy, providing a comprehensive approach to supporting students with diverse learning needs in elementary classrooms. In the special education component, students take courses such as Introduction to Human Exceptionality, Instructional Environments and Practices for Students with Disabilities, Developing Reading Comprehension and Content Knowledge for Students with Disabilities, Math and Inquiry Instruction for Students with Disabilities, and Managing School and Classroom-Wide Student Behavior. These courses focus on understanding disabilities, designing inclusive instruction, and effectively managing classroom behavior to promote student success. The educational psychology section includes Basic Data Analysis or Statistical Methods I, along with an elective chosen from Educational Psychology, Assessment in Education, or Advanced Educational Psychology, helping students develop analytical and assessment skills. A key requirement is the Capstone Research Project, where students apply research methods to investigate and address real classroom challenges. In the literacy component, students choose two courses from options such as Children’s Literature, Literacy in Society, Teaching Writing, or Integrated Literacy Instruction, strengthening their ability to support reading and writing development for all learners. Overall, the program prepares teachers to become more effective in inclusive classrooms by equipping them with research-based strategies, analytical skills, and instructional techniques that support students with disabilities while enhancing learning outcomes for all students.