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In this program, candidates learn to plan developmentally appropriate curriculum, instruction, adaptations, and intervention strategies based on knowledge of individual students with exceptional learning needs. They learn preventative and reductive strategies to address challenging behaviors. Candidates also learn the competencies required to work on research, lines of inquiry, and analysis of research to expand their professional identity to include the role of “teacher as researcher.” Our graduates leave with an appreciation for the differences that all students bring with them to the classroom.
Our mission is to prepare both practicing teachers and career-changers for effective classroom practice of diverse students in urban settings. This master’s degree program prepares candidates to teach in many settings working with students with diverse learning needs. The program will not only support you to gain New York State Certification, but will also provide you with both the analytical and practical skills to offer students. Our graduates are hired by school districts both locally and nationwide.
The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2025–26 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.
The graduate program in special education prepares candidates to work in schools and other educational settings that serve individuals with disabilities and their families. The SWD (All Grades) certificate permits individuals to teach students with disabilities in pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 in New York State public schools. This includes students with disabilities from ages 3-4 years (e.g., children in Universal Pre-Kindergarten programs). Candidates are provided experiences in varied educational settings that prepare them to work in culturally and linguistically diverse urban school settings. A range of 33-51 credits is required. The number of credits and their sequence are determined by the candidate’s previous teacher preparation. Applicants are admitted to this program only in the fall semester.
Applicants must complete the online Graduate Admission Application with listed supporting documents (see above). All applicants attend group interviews. Applicants are interviewed and required to demonstrate written proficiency in English during the interview process.
Applicants must present a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00. A minimum GPA of 3.00 in graduate education courses is required to maintain matriculation. International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 650 on the paper-based test or 280 on the computer-based test or 114 on the internet-based test before being considered for admission.
Applicants who do not meet these standards may be considered for admission based on other evidence of high capacity for graduate studies.
Applicants must have successfully completed a New York State Initial Certificate in one of the following New York State approved teacher certification areas:
Applicants are required to demonstrate written proficiency in English.
Students should note additional requirements found at the beginning of this section as well as in the sections “Admission” and “Academic Regulations and Procedures.”
36 or 39 or 42 credits are required for the traditional and bilingual options with additional 12 credits; there is also one alternative option of 33 credits for the degree. The courses of study and credit options are determined by previous course work, teaching experience, and the certificates that the applicants have.
During the first term students in all options must file a program of study approved by the head of the Program in Teaching Students with Disabilities in Early Childhood and Childhood Education.
After a student completes approximately 12 credits, the faculty members review the students’ progress and potential and recommend continuation or withdrawal. This evaluation is based on criteria described in the “Program Statement of Expectations” made available to students when they enter the program.
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (B). A student who earns 3 credits of a B- or below will be advised based on their performance and receive consultation about next steps required for completing a M.S. in Education in this program. After the consultation, students will continue to be evaluated to assess their completion of requirements for the program. A student who earns 6 credits of a B- or below will not be awarded an M.S. in Education in this program.
This option is for candidates who have a New York State Initial Certificate in Teaching Students with Disabilities.
27 credits in the following sequenced courses, which should be taken in this order: CBSE 7674T and 7672T; 7676T and 7677T; 7679T and 7664T; 7678T and 7692 and 7680T; and 9 credits in graduate liberal arts and sciences courses.
Candidates are required to complete a data collection/data-based monitoring project under advisement of a faculty member in CBSE.
2205 James Hall E: yjlee@brooklyn.cuny.edu P: 718.951.5000 ext. 3879
3302 James Hall E: gdembek@brooklyn.cuny.edu P: 718.951.5000 ext. 3877
2205 James Hall E: stella.kyprianou@brooklyn.cuny.edu P: 718.951.5000 ext. 3879
This option is for candidates who have an Initial Certificate in one of the New York State approved teacher certification areas, but who do not have certification in teaching students with disabilities.
Candidates must complete 30 credits in the following sequenced courses, which should be taken in this order: CBSE 7674T and 7672T; 7676T and 7677T; 7679T and 7664T; 7678T and 7692. 7680T; and CBSE 7681T, Seminar and Student Teaching: Students with Special Needs. and 9 credits in graduate liberal arts and sciences courses.
Candidates must complete at least 50 hours of supervised field experience and at least 20 days of student teaching (teaching students with disabilities in childhood). In addition, candidates must complete a data collection/data-based monitoring project under advisement of a faculty member in CBSE.
This option is for candidates who have a baccalaureate degree in a liberal arts and sciences major, or 36 credits in a liberal arts and sciences concentration and demonstrated undergraduate preparation in English, science, mathematics, the social sciences, and foreign language, and do not possess Initial Certification in any teacher certification area.
Candidates must complete 33 credits in the following sequenced courses, which should be taken in this order: CBSE 7674T and 7672T; 7676T and 7677T; 7679T and 7664T; 7678T and 7692. 7680T; and CBSE 7688T, Seminar and Student Teaching: Students with Special Needs. and 9 credits in graduate liberal arts and sciences courses.
Candidates must complete at least 100 hours of supervised field experience and at least 70 days of student teaching. In addition, candidates must complete a data collection/data-based monitoring project under advisement of a faculty member in CBSE.
This option is for candidates who have a baccalaureate degree in a liberal arts and sciences major, or 36 credits in a liberal arts and sciences concentration and demonstrated undergraduate preparation in English, science, mathematics, the social sciences, and foreign language who are teaching or have secured a position teaching students with special needs and qualify for New York State Alternative Certification as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities in Childhood Education or holding such certification.
Candidates must complete 24 credits in the following sequenced courses, which should be taken in this order: CBSE 7674T and 7672T; 7676T and 7677T; 7679T and 7664T; 7678T and 7692. and 9 credits in graduate liberal arts and sciences courses.
Candidates will also be required to register for CBSE 6002T and/or SEED 7541T, the course which provides for onsite supervision, as required for NYS Transitional B Certificate holders.
Option D is consigned to candidates sponsored by entities such as the New York City Teaching Fellows program.
Candidates must complete 27 credits in the following sequenced courses, which should be taken in this order: CBSE 7674T and 7672T; 7676T and 7677T; 7679T and 7664T; 7678T and 7692 and 7680T; and 9 credits in graduate liberal arts and sciences courses.
Candidates must complete at least 50 hours of supervised field experience and at least 20 days of student teaching (teaching students with disabilities-bilingual). In addition, students must complete a Candidates are required to complete a data collection/data-based monitoring project under advisement of a faculty member in CBSE7680T.
The course of study includes a 12 credit bilingual extension consisting of courses in bilingualism, research, methodology, and multicultural education and additional credits of student teaching in the classroom: CBSE 7350T, 7351T, 7353T, and PRLS 7145X.
Candidates must complete 30 credits in the following courses, which should be taken in this order: CBSE 7674T and 7672T; 7676T and 7677T; 7679T and 7664T; 7678T and 7692. 7680T; and CBSE 7681T, Seminar and Student Teaching: Students with Special Needs. and 9 credits in graduate liberal arts and sciences courses.
Students must complete at least 50 hours of supervised field experience and at least 20 days of student teaching (teaching students with disabilities-bilingual). In addition, candidates must complete a data collection/data-based monitoring project under advisement of a faculty member in CBSE.
Submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
This program does not accept nondegree applicants.
All students accepted to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Fingerprint verification is required for work in New York City Department of Education schools if you already have fingerprint records or not. Follow these instructions.
Refer to the instructions at Graduate Admissions.
Yoon-Joo Lee, Program Head
Ginny Dembek, Program Coordinator
222 West Quad Center 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210 E: grads@brooklyn.cuny.edu P: 718.951.4536
Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
To make an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor, visit:
BC Admissions Appointment Tool
Brooklyn College is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members in the Department of Childhood, Bilingual, and Special Education offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.
Students complete internships in public and private schools throughout the New York City region as well as across the United States. The internship is a supervised experience designed to hone the requisite skills and knowledge to work as a teacher of students with disabilities.
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