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Inclusive Childhood Education

This is a dual certification program that will prepare you to teach in elementary schools as well as pupils with disabilities. It integrates a strong liberal arts foundation with rigorous professional course work and numerous opportunities for meaningful involvement in various elementary schools. Your student teaching experience includes both general education and special education mentors.

Career Potential

  • Special education teacher, grades 1-6
  • Regular education teacher, grades 1-6
  • Co-teacher in grades 1-6
  • Inclusive curriculum specialist
  • Inclusion consultant

What Will I Learn?

Student teaching and fieldwork provide real-world experience that brings classroom learning to life. Through this program, you’ll

  • Develop habits for lifelong learning 
  • Collaborate with professionals and families in high-need communities
  • Promote equity and excellence in education

The department also offers courses in

  • Multicultural and urban education
  • The role of gender in schooling
  • The relationship between schools and society

The employment opportunities in this feed are from Career Services’ Handshake portal. Some positions may require additional certifications. Handshake is available to current SUNY Cortland students and alumni.

Concentration Options

  • English Language Arts and Writing
  • Environmental Studies
  • Humanities
  • Mathematics
  • Social Sciences
  • Urban Studies

Two students work together on homework.You can choose a second major in place of the 30-credit hour concentration.

  • Art History
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Economics
  • English
  • French
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Musical Theatre
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Spanish

Special Features

  • Cortland’s Urban Recruitment of Educators (C.U.R.E.) Program
  • Student teaching in urban, suburban or rural settings
  • Study abroad opportunities
  • Student teaching opportunities in Australia, and New York City
  • Experiential placements in urban, rural and suburban classrooms
  • Experiential placements in families with children who have disabilities
  • International Honor Society in Education (Kappa Delta Pi)

Get Involved

College is more than a classroom. Enhance your experience with extracurricular opportunities: Participate in workshops, volunteer with various organizations or join a club that interests you.

Student Clubs

Honor Society

Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education

Next Steps