Master of Arts (M.A.) in Severe or Multiple Disabilities
With New York State for an Annotation in the Teaching of Students with Multiple/Severe Disabilities
The M.A. degree in Teaching Students with Severe or Multiple Disabilities is designed for individuals who already hold initial certification as a teacher of students with disabilities and who are working toward professional certification. Graduates who meet all requirements of the program, and who complete all state requirements, will be recommended to New York State for an Annotation in the Teaching of Students with Multiple/Severe Disabilities.
This program prepares teachers to work with students with severe and/or multiple disabilities in inclusive and specialized settings. Through coursework and practicum experiences, the program fosters the acquisition of the specialized knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to provide effective educational programs for students with severe and/or multiple disabilities.
This 32-credit program typically takes one year to complete (Fall through Summer).
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.
Master of Arts
- Points/Credits: 32
- Entry Terms: Fall
- Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Campus-Based, Part-Time Campus-Based
Certification
View Public Disclosure Notification
- NY State Annotation: Severe and Multiple Disabilities
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term Available | Priority Deadlines | Final Deadlines | Extended Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Summer | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fall | January 15, 2025 | July 1, 2025 | N/A |
Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines, such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.
Application Requirements
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Online Degree Application, including Statement of Purpose and Resume | |
| Transcripts and/or Course-by-Course Evaluations for all Undergraduate/Graduate Coursework Completed | |
| Results from an accepted English Proficiency Exam (if applicable) | |
| $75 Application Fee | |
| Two (2) Letters of Recommendation | |
| Supplemental application required (included in online application) | |
| Must hold Initial Certification in special education |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact HAEPadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.
The MA Degree Program in Teaching Students with Multiple or Severe Disabilities, New York State (NYS) approved teacher preparation program, is designed for individuals who already hold (or are eligible to acquire through reciprocity) a valid New York State base teaching certificate in any of the following titles: Students with Disabilities, Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Speech and Language Disabilities, and Blind and Visually Impaired. Graduates who meet all requirements of the program and complete all state requirements will be recommended to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for an Annotation in the Teaching of Students with Multiple/Severe Disabilities in recognition of additional pedagogical knowledge, skills, and experiences in the teaching of students with severe/multiple disabilities. The Severe or Multiple Annotation certificate type will depend on the aforementioned valid NYSED certificate title and certificate type that the candidate holds at the time of the institutional recommendation for certification, as the Annotation is an extension to an existing base certificate.
This program prepares teachers to work with students with severe or multiple disabilities in inclusive and specialized settings. Through coursework and practicum experiences, the program fosters the acquisition of the specialized knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to provide effective educational programs for students with severe and multiple disabilities. This 32-point program typically takes one year to complete (fall through summer).
Required Department Courses:
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HBSE 4006 Working with families of children with disabilities
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HBSE 4010 Nature and needs of persons with intellectual disability/autism
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HBSE 4011 Education of persons with intellectual disability/autism
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HBSE 4015 Applied behavior analysis I
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HBSE 4071 Language and Literacy for Deaf/Hard of Hearing
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HBSE 4082 Assessment and evaluation of infants, children, and youth with exceptionalities
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HBSE 4701 Observation and student teaching in special education: Intellectual disability/autism
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HBSE 4880 Opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities