Multiple Disabilities including Deaf Blindness (All Grades)
Program Overview
This graduate program will prepare you to work with learners with significant, severe/multiple disabilities in both self-contained special education classrooms and inclusive general education environments through the principles of Universal Design for Learning. You will learn to use strategies to teach communication skills to learners with cerebral palsy (CP), traumatic brain injury (TBI), DeafBlindness, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and intellectual disabilities using augmentative and alternative communication devices (AAC), tangible symbols, and other assistive technology (AT). Graduates from this program go on to work as specialized teachers of learners with multiple disabilities, including DeafBlindness, in NYC’s District 75, as inclusion support providers (SETTS or SEIT), and as collaborative team teachers with general education teachers in both public and private schools, private early intervention agencies, hospitals, and clinics.
Coursework and Clinical Experiences
Courses are offered in the afternoon and evening. Select courses have required hours of classroom experience (fieldwork) in a New York City public school. Students also participate in supervised teaching (student teaching and/or practicum) as the culmination of their course of study. Student teaching and/or practicum requires five full days per week for at least one semester.
Credits
30-36
Certification
Students with Disabilities All Grades (PreK-12) with an extension annotation in Severe and Multiple Disabilities
Eligibility and Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0; or a master’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.5
- A liberal arts or science major or interdisciplinary concentration of at least 30 credits.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- A personal statement
To Apply
This program will accept applications beginning Fall 2025.
To start your application, visit the Hunter College Online Application.
When applying to this program under Program of Study, select School of Education – Special Education, and Multiple Disabilities incl. DeafBlindness (All Grades).
CUNY Sponsored Application Fee
Applicants applying to this program by June 30, 2025, will have their application fee sponsored by CUNY.
Application Deadlines
This program will begin admitting candidates for the Fall 2025 start term. Applications will be accepted each fall and spring.
Fall Start (Fall 2025)
- March 15
- May 15 (Extended Deadline)
Spring Start (Spring 2026)
- October 15
Visit How to Apply for information about deadline extensions.