Jul 19, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Bulletin

Teaching Students with Disabilities (All Grades) with Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)

This program fulfills requirements for the New York State Initial Certificate in Students with Disabilities (All Grades) and Childhood Education Grades 1-6. Students who complete this program option are eligible for certifications to (1) teach students with disabilities in all grades, and (2)teach general education elementary school students. Each block of courses has related practicum requirements. Placement for practica is facilitated by the Ella Chine Shear School of Education staff.

Previous Description -

This program fulfills requirements for the New York State Initial Certificate in Childhood Education with Special Education certification. Students who complete this program option are eligible for certifications to (1) teach general education elementary school students, and (2) teach exceptional students (except those with visual and/or hearing impairments). Each block of courses has related practicum requirements. Placement for practica is facilitated by the Ella Chine Shear School of Education staff.

“Commissioner’s Regulations CR 52.21, General Requirements (ii)(a) require all teacher candidates to study “a language other than English.” By meeting Geneseo’s requirement for such language study, all teacher candidates meet the NY certification requirement.”

Candidates must check with their Block professors to be sure all information needed for field experience is submitted prior to the end of the preceding semester.Candidates are responsible for their own transportation for all field experiences and student teaching.

Program Learning Outcomes, Childhood with Special Education Standards (CEC)

Candidates understand how exceptionalities may interact with development and learning and use this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences for individuals with exceptionalities.
Candidates create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners and develop emotional well being, positive social interactions, and self-determination.
Candidates use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for individuals with exceptionalities.
Candidates use multiple methods of assessment and data sources in making educational decisions.
Candidates select, adapt, and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning of individuals with exceptionalities.
Candidates use foundational knowledge of the field and their professional ethical principles and practice standards to inform special education practice, to engage in lifelong learning, and to advance the profession.
Candidates collaborate with families, other educators, related service providers, individuals with exceptionalities, and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a range of learning experiences.

General Education Requirements (30-40 Credits)

Prerequisite coursework may be required to satisfy certain General Education courses and will count as elective credit.

Total Credits Required to Complete Major: 87-88

Outline of Program Content

Basic Requirements: (54 Credits)

Childhood/Special Education Blocks (must be completed in the sequence listed)*

Writing Requirement:

Successful completion of SPED 481 Special Education Adolescence Practicum.

Footnotes:

In the Review Process, a teacher candidate may be allowed one re-take of a practicum experience or a student teaching experience.

*Students may not advance in blocks until all previous work is completed satisfactorily.

Liberal Arts Concentration: (32-33 Credits)

MATH 140 - Mathematical Concepts for Elementary Education I Credit(s): 3 *
MATH 141 - Mathematical Concepts for Elementary Education II Credit(s): 3 *
Natural Science with Lab Credit(s): 4
Natural Science with Lab (with a different prefix) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 203 - Reader and Text: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL course (at the 300 or 400 level) Credit(s): 4
HIST course (at the 200 level) Credit(s): 4
PSYC 215 - Child Development Credit(s): 3 *
One course at 200 or above level in Math, English, History or Science Credit(s): 3-4

Concentration Footnotes:

*Minimum Competency Requirement: Courses must be completed with a C- or better.

Sample Course Map

For students who matriculated prior to Fall 2022: please select the bulletin year in which you entered the college (matriculated) at the top right of this page.

Curriculum Map

First Year
- Fall - 17 Credits
  - MATH 140 - Mathematical Concepts for Elementary Education I
  - Global Society (SST)
  - WRTG 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle)
  - Natural Science
  - Global Society (CGC)
- Spring - 15 Credits
  - MATH 141 - Mathematical Concepts for Elementary Education II
  - World Language (101)
  - Natural Science
  - Global Society (WCV)
Second Year
- Fall - 17 Credits
- Spring - 14 Credits
  - SPED 224 - Inquiry-based Teaching and Learning Strategies for Diverse Children
  - ENGL 300/400
  - HIST 200/300/400
  - Global Society (CAI)
Third Year
- Fall - 15 Credits
  - CURR 213 - Reading and Writing Processes
  - SPED 370 - Block III Special Education Early Childhood Practicum
  - SPED 371 - Teaching Students with Low Incidence Disabilities
  - Concentration
  - Elective
- Spring - 15 Credits
Fourth Year
- Fall - 15 Credit hours
  - SPED 372 - Teaching Students with High Incidence Disabilities
  - SPED 382 - Assessment Design, Interpretation, and Data Informed Planning for Students with Disabilities
  - SPED 383 - Special Education Classroom Management Skills
  - SPED 385 - Team Approaches to Education of Students with Disabilities
  - SPED 481 - Block V Special Education Adolescence Practicum
- Spring - 12 Credits
  - Student Teaching
  - SPED 491 - Student Teaching - Special Education: Mild Disabilities
  - EDUC 491 - Student Teaching - Childhood

Total Credit Hours: 121

Note: Variation in the order of courses is possible, depending upon prerequisites. Consult course information in the bulletin or your academic advisor to customize your eight semester plan.

Teacher candidates must satisfy the 2.75 cumulative GPA requirement to continue in a certification program. For admission to student teaching, teacher candidates must have a 2.75 in their major, concentration, and overall.

KEY - Participation in a Global Society (PGS)

Attributes:

Sub Areas

Abbreviation	Definition
DPP	Diversity, Pluralism, Power
WCV	World Cultures & Values
CGC	Contemporary Global Challenges
CAI	Creativity & Innovation
SST	Sustainability

Learning Areas

Abbreviation	Definition
ARTS	Arts
HUMA	Humanities
SOSC	Social Science