NYU Steinhardt is committed to innovative and accessible teacher education. Beginning Fall 2026, every newly admitted full-time student in the MA in Teaching Social Studies and Teaching Students with Disabilities, Grades 7-12: Dual Initial Certification program will receive a $20,000 per year scholarship. Apply now and start shaping the future of education.
Help meet the rising demand for dual-certified secondary school educators who can address the needs of students with disabilities and other learning challenges. Learn pedagogical strategies; advance your knowledge of social studies, history, and special education; and gain classroom experience through student teaching placements in New York City schools.
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You’ll combine content courses with general and specialized core pedagogy classes to help you develop the skills to work with a wide range of diverse students. You’ll study:
You'll be prepared to teach grades 7–12 and, if you choose, grades 5–6 in New York State, working both with students who do not have special needs and with those who have a variety of learning challenges, including:
You’ll complete two semesters of student teaching at New York City schools, in special and inclusive settings for students with disabilities, as well as in middle and high school social studies classrooms. Cooperating teachers and NYU faculty will offer feedback as you refine your teaching techniques.
Across the country, schools are experiencing a consistent shortage of special education teachers – particularly those with content-area expertise needed from high school teachers. You’ll graduate from this program eligible for dual certification in New York State in Social Studies and Special Education for grades 7–12, with an option to pursue a certificate extension to also teach grades 5–6. You’ll be sought after by employers for your ability to teach students of all backgrounds, with and without learning challenges like autism, dyslexia, and attention difficulties.
Learn more about teacher certification and our degree's accreditation.
If you have any additional questions about our degree, please feel free to contact teachlearn.gradadvise@nyu.edu.
