Our inclusive special education program is designed to help graduates acquire:

• strategies to differentiate instruction for students with disabilities
• assessment and data literacies to meet the needs of all learners
• the ability to meet the needs of students for whom English is not a first language
• advanced collaboration methods
• the means to individualize and differentiate STEM content for all learners
• the ability to integrate meaningful instructional and assistive technologies
• the ability to design supportive environments to meet the social, emotional and behavioral needs of learners

Admission to this degree program is based on:

• Initial  (or pending) teaching certificate in elementary or secondary education
  • Note: Candidates can be admitted prior to initial certification (passed edTPA and all NYS required certification tests) with a grace period of one semester from the start of the program to complete certification.
• Official transcripts of all prior college work (3.00/4.00 GPA)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Interview
• Impromptu writing sample (taken at interview)
• EdTPA passing score, GRE or MAT score

NOTE: State law requires SBU to collect immunization records from students taking six or more credit hours in any semester.

Exit Criteria
In order to be awarded the degree in inclusive special Eeducation, a student must meet the following criteria:

• A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• Successful completion of the fieldwork and internship
• Submission of portfolio showing professional growth, accomplishments
• Successful completion of the capstone project

Consistent with our conceptual framework of competence, experience and social justice, students have the opportunity to gain experience by practicing their skills in P-12 classrooms.

Field experience is integrated throughout the program with a culminating experience in SPED 590. Most working teachers can complete their field experience in their own classrooms/schools.

For those who cannot, we will work with you to locate an appropriate placement.

St. Bonaventure's Dean's Scholarship can reduce tuition costs by 20%, making St. Bonaventure an exceptional value among Western New York colleges and universities.

Students pursuing literacy teacher birth-grade 6 certification may be eligible for the federal TEACH Grant.

For more information, visit our Graduate Tuition and Financial Aid page in Graduate Admissions & Aid.

Upon completion of the MSED in inclusive special education graduates will:

• use their understanding of the unique strengths each student brings to the classroom to develop meaningful and challenging learning experiences for a wide variety of learners;
• create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments that support all learners; 
• develop curriculum that supports all learners to achieve high standards;
• create assessments and use data to make instructional decisions for a wide variety of learners;
• use evidence-based strategies to advance learning for all learners;
• engage in professional and ethical practice;
• collaborate in a culturally responsive way with a variety of stakeholders to meet the needs of a wide variety of learners.