Teachers equipped to instruct students with diverse learning needs possess the potential to profoundly influence the lives of children, no matter the grade level.
Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of diverse learners?
SUNY Old Westbury's Students with Disabilities undergraduate program combines strong academic foundations with more than 150 hours of practical fieldwork, preparing you for New York State certification and a rewarding career in special education.
You can choose to earn your Bachelor's degree in Students with Disabilities (All Grades) on its own or couple your studies in the specialty with the other pre-school, childhood and adolescent education opportunities available.
Upon completing the requirements for the degree, graduates are primed to embark on fulfilling careers as special education teachers, armed with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience.
Meet Juliana
After Graduation
According to the U.S. Department of Labor (BLS), New York State has among highest employment levels of special education teachers in K-12 service in the entire country:
- More than 50,000 employed as of 2024
- Annual mean salary in NY: $94,900
The Projections Managing Partnership projects New York State will need by 2032 10,000 additional special education teachers.
Choose Your Path
This Students with Disabilities degree can prepare you with the skills to achieve initial certification as a special education teacher from Pre-K through 12th grade, or you can earn dual initial certification by combining Students with Disabilities with another certification area:
All Grades (Pre-K-12)
- Students with Disabilities (All Grades)
Early Education (Birth-2)
- Students with Disabilities (All Grades) with Early Childhood Extension (Birth-2)
- Students with Disabilities (All Grades) with Students with Disabilities Early Childhood Education (Birth-2) Extension
Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
- Students with Disabilities (All Grades) and Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
- Students with Disabilities (All Grades) and Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) with Early Childhood Education (Birth-2) Extension
- Students with Disabilities (All Grades) and Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) with Students with Disabilities Early Childhood (Birth-2) Extension
Bilingual Education
- Students with Disabilities (All Grades) with Bilingual Extension
- Students with Disabilities (All Grades) and Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) with Bilingual Extension
- Students with Disabilities (All Grades) with Bilingual and Early Childhood Education (Birth-2) Extensions
- Students with Disabilities (All Grades) with Bilingual and Students with Disabilities Early Childhood Education (Birth-2) Extensions
- Students with Disabilities (All Grades) and Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) with Bilingual and Early Childhood (Birth-2) Extensions
- Students with Disabilities (All Grades) and Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) with Bilingual and Students with Disabilities Early Childhood Education (Birth-2) Extensions
Why Old Westbury?
- Strong relationships with elementary and secondary schools across Long Island and New York City.
- Leadership in training teachers to build equitable and inclusive learning communities in and outside of the classroom.
- National accreditation by AAQEP.
- Accomplished faculty whose fieldwork and scholarship maintains their cutting-edge approach.
- Semester-long student teaching experience.