Adolescent Special Education Generalist

The adolescent generalist special education program prepares you to inspire, teach, mentor, assess, and motivate students in a wide variety of special education environments.

During your four years in the program, you will master the theoretical aspects of adolescent special education, but also spend ample time in adolescent special education classrooms, learning how these theories are applied to real-world settings.

You’ll gain a broad base of knowledge in the four common core areas (mathematics, English, social studies, and science), but also select an emphasis area in either English or social studies.​

Program Overview

Keuka College's adolescent special education generalist program prepares you to teach in a wide variety of special education environments, and will help you master the theoretical aspects of teaching a diverse, and multifaceted population.

As a student in this program, you'll gain a broad base of knowledge in the four common core areas (mathematics, English, social studies, and science), but also select an emphasis area in:

  • English
  • Social Studies

With courses in literacy, educational and adolescent psychology, educating at-risk students, inclusive assessment, and classroom management, you'll be prepared to teach in a variety of settings.

The education curriculum at Keuka College keeps you on the cutting edge of exciting changes in the education field, such as incorporating technology into the learning environment, meeting the needs of an ever-changing population of students, and addressing the impact of globalization in education.

We prepare professional educators who will meet the needs of diverse learners, and are committed to a lifetime of reflective practice, collaborative service and ethical leadership.

There are many ways to get involved outside the classroom at Keuka College. Hone your skills in education with extracurricular clubs and honor societies such as:

  • Council for Exceptional Children/Special Education Club (CEC/SPED)
  • Education Club
  • Lambda Theta Lambda, Education Honor Society

Prospective students intending to major in unified childhood/special education, unified early childhood/special education, or in adolescent education in English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, or social studies should declare their intention upon entering Keuka College, but may transfer into an education program if they have enrolled in a different program.

Application Process for Teacher Certification Programs

All sophomores in good standing and equivalent transfer students who complete (or transfer in) a list of freshmen-level introductory courses by the end of an academic year are eligible to apply to the Teacher Certification Program in the Fall of their sophomore year, before enrolling in major specific professional courses. 

A satisfactory completion of the application process requirements will allow students to be admitted to and continue in the Teacher Certification Path.

Application process requirements include:

Successful completion of: 

  • EDU 105,
  • ENG 112 (or equivalent),
  • MAT 102 (or equivalent), 
  • EDU 210

Achieve a minimum GPA requirement:

  • Overall GPA: 2.6, 
  • Education GPA: 2.67, and 
  • Content GPA: 2.67

Complete required forms and tasks:

  • Submit an Application form
  • Participate in a Dispositions, Attributes, and Proficiencies (DAP) group interview  
  • Participate in an Oral Fluency task

Students’ results are reviewed and subsequent recommendations for admittance to the certification program or dismissal are communicated to students before their junior year begins.  

Requirements for Student Teaching

To be eligible for placement in student teaching, a student must have an overall grade-point-average (GPA) of 2.75, and a GPA of 3.0 in all education courses. In addition, adolescent education majors need a concentration GPA of 3.0. This level must be attained one semester prior to the student teaching placement. The candidate must have successfully completed the education Field Period requirements.