The purpose of this program is to prepare future professionals, such as special educators, general educators, related service providers, and school psychologists to work with students with autism spectrum disorders and severe or multiple disabilities in inclusive and specialized settings for childhood, middle childhood, or adolescence. Candidates will develop competency in all the program-specific professional standards set forth by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) . The program is intended for New York State certified teachers seeking an approved Annotation for Severe or Multiple Disabilities and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Adelphi University. The program is geared for those with a master’s degree and hold a valid provisional or permanent certificate for teaching special education, the deaf and hearing-impaired, the blind and partially sighted, the speech- and hearing-handicapped; or a valid initial or professional certificate in early childhood special education (birth-grade 2), childhood special education (grades 1-6), middle childhood special education (grades 5-9), adolescence special education (grades 7-12), deaf and hard of hearing (all grades), blind and visually impaired (all grades), speech and language disabilities (all grades). Program completers will obtain a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (C.A.G.S.) and NYS Teaching Certificate Extension in Severe and Multiple Disabilities. The 12-credit program offers two specializations or tracks: autism spectrum disorders or severe and multiple disabilities.

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