Congratulations to the first graduates receiving a Master of Arts in Special Education from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work in a ceremony on May 25, 2021.

May 2020 Graduates

Rebecca Baratz Raquel Erdos Shira Holstein Arianna Tanzman Naomi Pollak Jordana Schwartz

July 2020 Graduates

Talia Schiff Abigail Trencher

“You are going into the world of teaching with the knowledge and the power to create a classroom that is exciting, interesting, innovative and amazing,” Dr. Joan Rosenberg, director of the program, told the graduates. “Remember the sacrifices you made and the resilience that you showed to get to this day. I know that you will embrace your new responsibilities and be known as a creative, dedicated, innovative, and perhaps most important, caring teacher.”  

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The 46/47-credit program, offered in-person in Manhattan or online, consists of two tracks:

• Master of Arts in Early Childhood in Special Education: designed to help educate children with special needs from birth to grade two
• Master of Arts in Childhood in Special Education: designed for working with children grades one through six

There is also a fast-track curriculum option of 30 credits for either program for those who have already completed their certification in education. Students can also pursue full-time or part-time study toward their degree. The curriculum focuses on creative and critical thinking, evidenced-based teaching techniques and strategies, and hands-on field experience working with children with special needs. Throughout their studies, this first cohort of graduates gained the knowledge to create inclusive classrooms for children with conditions such as autism, deaf-blindness, deafness, developmental delays, emotional challenges, hearing impairment, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, traumatic brain injury, intellectual disabilities, speech or language impairment and visual impairment. For more information on the Master of Arts in Special Education, please contact Dr. Joan Rosenberg at joan.rosenberg@yu.edu